Herniated / Protruding / Ruptured Disc

This type of injury occurs frequently to our clients. Someone causes an automobile accident and an innocent person is left with back pain and tingling and numbness. Often, the person injured in the car accident is told that they have a herniated disk. What is that?

A herniated disk, sometimes called a slipped disk along the spinal cord, occurs when all or part of the soft center of the spinal disk is forced through a weakened or injured part of the disk. Herniated disks often happen in the cervical spine (the neck area) or the lumbar spine (lower back). However, lumbar disk herniations occur 15 times more often than cervical disk herniations. In fact, a lumbar disk herniation is one of the most common causes of lower back pain.

It is not possible to diagnose a herniated disk by x-rays alone. A MRI or spinal CT scan will show spinal canal compression by the herniated disk. A myelogram may be performed to define the size and location of the disk herniation. Also, EMGs and nerve conduction studies can be done to determine the exact nerve root(s) that is (are) involved.

A herniated disc can be named many things depending on the radiologist reading the film. Some radiologist will refer to a herniated disc as a protruding disc or disk protrusion. Others may refer to a herniated disk as an "extruded disc" or disc extrusion. Typically, the differing names for a herniated disc is based on the way the disc material is forced through the injured part of the disc.

If you are experiencing neck or lower back pain after a car accident and tingling and numbness or radiating pain into your arms or legs, it is very important that you discuss these symptoms with a doctor. A MRI may be needed to address your problems and determine whether spine surgery is needed.

We at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril, Noyes & Perenich, P.A. are familiar with these terms and have taken thousands of depositions of doctors and experts to address the difference, if any, between a herniated disc, protruding disc, disc extrusion and other similar injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured because of a car accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, slip and fall, workers' compensation claim, or other personal injury matter, contact us today!

Remember, insurance companies have attorneys working for them-so should you! Call us now at 727-796-8282 or simply click here to complete our short case evaluation form.