Question

4. If available, use the Dynamic Human CD, and click on Skeletal, Clinical Concepts, and then Herniated Disc. After also reviewing the material in the chapter, explain what kinds of activities are most likely to contribute to a disc herniation.

Answer 1

Herniated disc is a condition which refers to a problem with a rubbery disc between the individual bones i.e vertebrae that stack up to make our spinal cord.

It is very common.

A spinal disc is actually a little like a jelly donut with a softer central part encased within a toughter exterior.

It is also called as slipped disk or a ruptured disc.

A herniated disk occurs when some of the softer jelly pushes out through a tear in the toughter exterior.

The herniated disc can irritates the nearby nerves and results in pain , numbness or weakness in arm or leg.

On the other hand many people experience no symptoms from a herniated disc don't need surgery to correct the problem.

There are many activities that causes herniated disc;

1) Wear and Tear on the spine : pain from a herniated disc is often the result of daily wear and tear on the spine.

This is also called as degeneration.

Our backs carry and help distribute weight and those intervertebral disc are made to absorb shock from movement such as walking , twisting , and bending.

Our disc works so hard to helps us move so well that they can become worn out over the course of time.

The annulus fibrous can start to weaken allowing the nucleus purplish to push through creating a bulging or herniated disc.

2) Injury : A herniated disc can also be caused by a injury.

You can heniate a disc in car accident.

For example , the sudden jerking movement can put too much pressure on the disc causing it to herniate.

Or you can also herniated a disc by lifting a heavy object inaccurately.

3) A combination of degeneration and injury : It may be that an intervertebral disc has been weakened by wear and tear.

Or it could be that you mr disc has become so weakened that something that doesn't seem like a very traumatic event can cause herniated disc.

This is a case when people herniate a disc sneezing.

A sneeze does't seems to be like a very traumatic event that could lead to an injury but if you have already weakened a disc than the sudden force of a sneeze can herniate a disc.

Ageing is also a cause as discussed above and spinal pressure ; weight gain or pregnancy.

There are four stages to the formation of a herniated disc ;

As given above...