A disc extrusion, also called a ruptured disc, occurs when the vertebrae of the spine become compressed and pinch one of the discs until the gel-like fluid in the center of the disc breaks out of the tough outer layer and leaks into the spinal canal. Most patients who suffer from a disc extrusion experience chronic and severe back pain where the fluid from the disc impacts a nerve root in the spinal canal.

Most cases of disc extrusion occur in the cervical spine (neck) or lumbar spine (lower back) because these two regions of the spine endure the most movement and strain. As the spine undergoes the natural aging process, components of the spine, such as the disc and joints, might begin to deteriorate, causing the vertebrae to compress under the weight of the body without the support and cushion of the discs and joints. As the vertebrae compress, the disc between a set of vertebrae is clamped, causing the fluid in the disc to break through the shell of the disc and leak into the spinal canal.

If you are experiencing symptoms of gradually increasing pain in your neck or lower back, you should consult your doctor to determine the cause of your pain. As you continue to research this spine condition, we encourage you to contact our dedicated team with any questions you have about your condition or the treatment options available to you.

Collection of disc extrusion articles

As you inform yourself on the symptoms and treatment options available for disc extrusions, be sure to review our disc extrusion articles to help you on your journey to wellness:

• 3 Differences Between a Bulging Disc and a Disc Extrusion
• Disc Extrusion Surgery Recovery Time
• Five Common Causes of Disc Extrusion
• Can An Extruded Disc Heal On Its Own?
• Three Types of Doctors That Can Treat a Disc Extrusion
• Four Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Disc Extrusion Surgery
• Three Yoga Poses to Try When Dealing with an L5-S1 Extruded Disc
• Four Ways to Diagnose a Disc Extrusion
• Three Ways to Be More Active While Recovering from An Extruded Disc
• Four Nonsurgical Disc Extrusion Treatments
• Two Key Differences Between a Disc Extrusion and a Bulging Disc
• What Is the Healing Timeline After Disc Extrusion Surgery?
• Can a Disc Extrusion Progress into Something More Serious?
• Is Disc Extrusion the Same as Herniation?
• When Should I See a Surgeon for Lumbar Disc Extrusion?
• Seven Considerations After Disc Extrusion Surgery
• When Do You Need Disc Extrusion Surgery?
• Learn About Three Disc Extrusion Surgery Alternatives
• Five Disc Extrusion Surgery Alternatives
• Six Common Symptoms Of Disc Extrusion
• Four Exercises Used For Disc Extrusion Treatment
• Disc Extrusion Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
• How To Fix Disc Extrusion
• What Can I Expect During Recovery From Disc Extrusion Surgery?
• What Is The Treatment For Lumbar Disc Extrusion?
• The Warning Signs of Disc Extrusion
• Supporting Your Recovery From Disc Extrusion Surgery
• Four Tips from USA Spine Care to Help You Get a Good Night’s Rest While Dealing with Symptoms of a Disc Extrusion
• Seven Activities USA Spine Care Recommends You Avoid During Disc Extrusion Treatment
• Is Surgery the Best Option for Fixing an Extruded Disc?
• Five Disc Extrusion Exercises to Avoid
• Five Stretches to Try As Part of Your Extruded Disc Treatment
• Three Exercises to Avoid When You Have a Disc Extrusion
• What Is the Prognosis for a Lumbar Disc Extrusion?
• What Can Be Done for Disc Extrusion Pain Relief?

Learn more about minimally invasive disc extrusion surgery

At USA Spine Care, our highly skilled surgeons use a small incision and muscle-sparing techniques in order to remove the portion of the disc that is extruding and causing chronic neck or lower back pain. These muscle-sparing techniques are a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery and result in less bleeding as well as a reduced risk of complication.^

As the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, our procedures have helped more than 75,000 patients find meaningful relief. If you have exhausted your conservative treatment options and are ready to take the next step on the road to recovery, reach out to USA Spine Care and ask for a no-cost MRI review.* We can determine if you are a candidate for minimally invasive disc extrusion surgery.

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