herniated disc
Noun: A herniated disc is a medical condition involving a painful rupture or protrusion of the soft, gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) of an intervertebral disc through a tear or weakness in its tougher, outer ring (annulus fibrosus). This condition most frequently occurs in the lumbar (lower back) region of the spine.
The term is used to describe a specific spinal injury or degenerative condition. It is a formal medical term. - It is typically used with verbs like have, suffer from, diagnose, or treat. - It is often modified by the location, e.g., lumbar herniated disc.
- The MRI confirmed he had a herniated disc at the L4-L5 level.
- Severe back pain radiating down the leg can be a symptom of a herniated disc.
- Her herniated disc required physical therapy and, eventually, surgery.
- Disc herniation: This is a synonymous term often used interchangeably with "herniated disc" in medical contexts.
- The patient was diagnosed with a disc herniation.
- Slipped disc: A common, non-medical synonym for a herniated disc. It is less precise but widely understood.
- Bulging disc: A related condition where the disc protrudes but the outer layer is not fully torn. It is often a precursor to a herniation.
- Ruptured disc: Another term for a herniated disc, emphasizing the tear.
- Sciatica: A frequent symptom caused by a lumbar herniated disc pressing on the sciatic nerve.
- Prolapsed disc
- Ruptured disc
- Slipped disc (informal)
- Herniated disc surgery: A surgical procedure to repair or remove the damaged disc portion.
- Herniated disc symptoms: The signs of the condition, such as pain, numbness, or weakness.
This is a countable noun. You can refer to one herniated disc or multiple herniated discs. The condition is a common cause of back pain and nerve-related symptoms like sciatica.
- a painful rupture of the fibrocartilage of the disc between spinal vertebrae; occurs most often in the lumbar region