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An Injured Disc's Effect on the Spinal Nerve

Worldwide research continues to understand disc herniation. The disc is the soft but firm material between vertebrae in the spine. When aging or injury breaks a disc down, problems can occur.

The effects seem to depend on whether the disc merely bulges outward or if the center of the disc, called the nucleus, actually squeezes out of its space. When the nucleus pushes out of its normal space, it is called a herniation. A herniated nucleus may put pressure on the nearby spinal nerve.

Disc problems can cause pain. Additional problems can happen if pressure is placed on the spinal nerve. In these cases, weakness and changes in sensation occur in the areas where the nerve travels.

New research shows that a disc herniation adds a new dimension. The chemicals within the herniated nucleus create additional problems when they come in contact with the nerve.

This study looked at what happens with a disc bulge, a bulge that puts pressure on a nerve, and a herniation in which the nucleus contacts the nerve or actually presses on the nerve.

No major changes were noted at first. But after one week, the nerve cells started showing differences. Herniations showed the biggest changes, whether the nucleus pressed against the nerve or simply contacted the nerve. However, the damage was much worse when the herniated nucleus pressed on the spinal nerve. The changes were less dramatic when a disc only bulged or when the bulge pressed on the nerve.

These findings could help direct treatment. The amount of chemical irritation around the nerve and actual pressure on the nerve can be measured before and after each treatment. This may help to show which treatment works best for each type of disc problem.

References: Naoto Takahashi, MD, et al. Pathomechanisms of Nerve Root Injury Caused by Disc Herniation. In Spine. March 1, 2003. Vol. 28. No. 5. Pp. 435-441.

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