The Nation's Top Center for Protruding Disc Treatment

With age, all body parts change, including the components of the spine. Discs dehydrate and lose elasticity. This weakens the disc and makes it more vulnerable to the following stages:

The first stage following natural weakening may be classified as a disc protrusion when the disc’s core (contained within the disc’s tough outer wall) has begun pushing into the spinal column. Disc protrusions may involve 180 degrees or less of the disc’s circumference.

The second stage of disc deterioration often consists of a bulging disc, when the disc’s inner core moves farther around the disc circumference beyond its normal parameters as it pushes into the disc’s outer layer, called the annulus fibrosus, creating a bulge. A bulging disc is said to involve more than half (more than 180 degrees) of the disc’s circumference.

The third stage is the final stage may be a herniated disc, which means the disc’s outer wall finally tears, allowing the inner gel-like material to escape containment by the outer wall.

It is important to remember that different health care providers may use terms like bulging disc, disc protrusion and herniated disc interchangeably, so you may want to ask for clarification if these terms are discussed during your diagnosis. Also, keep in mind that a disc with a bulge in the outer wall will not always lead to a herniation, or tear, in the disc wall. Disc bulges and tears are often unrelated.