A bulging disc is a common condition that typically occurs in individuals in their late 30s or early 40s. This condition is defined as a disc that bulges out of its normal boundary and into the spinal canal. This typically occurs because of continual pressure from the surrounding vertebrae pressing against the disc and causing it to lose shape and height.

A common misconception about bulging discs is that they always produce back pain and other symptoms. However, a bulging disc or any other damaged disc only results in symptoms of pain when it presses against a nerve root or spinal cord. For many people, the body heals a damaged disc through the natural resorption process before any symptoms are experienced.

While there are some factors of a bulging disc that are outside of your control, like the natural aging process that causes the discs to break down, there are other risk factors that can be avoided through lifestyle changes. Understanding how a bulging disc develops through the following article may help you avoid this condition in the future.

How a bulging disc develops

Discs in the spine act as cushions for the vertebrae, allowing them to pivot and move without colliding with one another. Each heavy step or movement that jars the spine is absorbed by the discs to protect the structure and alignment of the vertebrae. To maintain the proper space and cushion in the spine, the discs have a tough outer layer that helps keep the disc in place despite the constant pushing and pressure from surrounding vertebrae.

As the body moves or bends, the vertebrae press against the disc, causing the disc height to collapse and the gel-like center of the disc to press against the outer wall. However, the elasticity in the tough outer wall of the disc holds the inner fluid in place and helps the disc snap back into shape once the vertebrae have returned to their natural position.

As the body ages, the discs begin to dehydrate and become brittle. This reduces the ability for the discs to act as a shock absorber and causes the discs to lose height, and their ability to support and separate the vertebrae diminishes. The elasticity in the wall of the disc begins to wear down, and the pressure from the vertebrae can cause the disc to expand outward.

Treating a bulging disc

Once you and your doctor have managed to diagnose a bulging disc as the cause of your symptoms, the next step is to determine how to treat the condition. Many patients can manage the pain and symptoms of a bulging disc with a series of doctor-recommended treatments such as pain medication, low-impact exercise, stretching, corticosteroid injections and chiropractic manipulation.

After all conservative treatments have been exhausted and not provided relief after several weeks or months, a doctor will typically recommend elective surgery as an option for bulging disc patients. If that happens to you, we encourage you to research the minimally invasive surgery options at USA Spine Care and contact our dedicated team with any questions you may have.

Our minimally invasive spine surgery offers patients a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery.^ Because our procedures do not require large incisions or cutting the large muscles in the back, our patients can experience a shorter recovery time as well as a lower risk of infection or complication.^

For patients with a bulging disc, a minimally invasive spine surgery may be an effective treatment option, depending on the location and severity of the condition. Our minimally invasive decompression surgery removes a small piece of the bulging disc to release pressure on the pinched nerve, while our stabilization surgery replaces the damaged disc with an artificial one to stabilize the spine.

For many patients, a decompression surgery is an appropriate method of treatment for a bulging disc, though some patients with severe disc damage may require a stabilization surgery. To take the next step toward pain relief, reach out to USA Spine Care. Request a free MRI review* to see if you are a potential candidate for one of our minimally invasive spine surgeries.

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