Watch the short clip below for the 4 different stages of Disc Degeneration.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟏: 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜 𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Trauma, years of physical labor, acute or chronic stress are among the few factors that cause the annulus fibrosus (outer disc layer) to weaken, but the nucleus remains contained within the disc structure.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟐: 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜 𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜.

Continuous loading and strain on this part of the body causes the nucleus to push the annulus fibrosus further out into a bulge. The inner nucleus has still not broken through the fibrosus wall, but the bulge itself may compress and irritates nearby nerve roots, results in discomfort or pain. Herniation occurs at this stage, but the annulus fibrosus remains intact.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟑: 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Nucleus pulposus eventually breaks through the annulus fibrosis. Disc protrusion occurs at this stage, further compresses on the nerve root, however the nucleus remains within the disc.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟒: 𝐒𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜 𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜.

The nucleus pulposus breaks through the annulus fibrosus and a portion of the nucleus pulposus lies outside of the disc in the spinal canal (protrudes into the spinal canal).

Pain resulting from herniated discs may be combined with neurological deficits. These deficits may include tingling, numbness, weakness or reflex loss at arms, back or legs. These painful feelings are caused by nerve compression created by pressure from interior disc.