Anyone who has experienced how difficult it is to stand up, sit down, or walk with back pain knows exactly what that pain is. What exactly is this severe pain that makes you feel "oh" even if you move a little? Most of the time, the cause of this is a problem with a "disc" in our spine. So today, let's talk about this disc problem that everyone talks about, but is not exactly known.
What is this spinal disc?
Simply put, our spine is a bunch of little bones stacked on top of each other. We call these bones vertebrae . Think of these vertebrae as bricks. Instead of two bricks hitting each other, there is something like a `shock absorber` in a car to absorb the shocks that occur when they move back and forth. That rubbery pad is what we call the ` intervertebral disk` , or simply `the disk`.
This disk has two parts:
1. The outer tough part: This is a very strong, fibrous covering. Like the outer layer of a tire. We call this ``(annulus fibrosus)``.
2. The soft inner part: This is like a gel. This part gives the disc its flexibility . This is called the ``nucleus pulposus``.
This disc is not just something that exists. It is tightly wedged between two vertebrae and is held in place by the ligaments and muscles around it. So it is not usually that easy for a disc to "slip".
The most important thing is that this disc protects our spine, as well as the spinal cord and the nerves that extend from it.
What happens to this disc as we age? When we are young, the inside of this disc is more fluid and gel-like. But as we age, even in our youth, the blood supply to this disc decreases. Then the soft part inside gradually begins to harden and dry out. By middle age, this disc becomes as hard as an old piece of rubber. Due to these changes, the outer covering of the disc becomes weak and easily damaged.
What does it mean when a disc protrudes? (Herniated Disk)
This is the condition that many people call a "slipped disc." Strictly speaking, what happens here is not that the disc slips, but that part of the disc bulges out.
Imagine you squeeze a donut filled with jam. What happens then? The jam comes out from a weak spot in the donut, right? That's what happens here too. Due to some pressure, the outer hard covering of the disc ``annulus fibrosus`` weakens, tears, and the gel-like part inside ``nucleus pulposus`` comes out.
The disc that protrudes like this presses on a nearby nerve. That's when symptoms like unbearable pain and numbness appear. At first, the muscles in the back become stiff, and you may not be able to move properly. Then, the pain can travel down the compressed nerve to the leg, and sometimes even the arm.
Most of the time, about 90% of these disc problems occur in the lower back, that is, in our lumbar region. Problems in the cervical region occur much less frequently.
| Possible causes of a disk problem | Examples |
|---|---|
| Accident or wrong posture | Lifting a heavy object (a gas cylinder, a bucket of water) incorrectly, suddenly twisting, or falling. |
| Aging | With age, the disc loses its moisture content, becomes dry, and weak. |
| Overweight/obesity | As body weight increases, the load on the spine also increases. This puts pressure on the discs. |
| Lack of exercise/sedentary lifestyle | When the back and abdominal muscles become weak, the strength of the spine decreases. |
Who is more likely to get this?
Herniated Disc is most common in women and men between the ages of 30 and 50. However, it can also occur in active young people. Surprisingly, this problem is less common in very old people, who have lost almost all of their gel and become stiff.
The good news is that not all herniated discs cause pain . Some people have MRI scans that show problems with their discs, but they don't experience any pain or discomfort. This is because the herniated disc is not pinching a nerve.
What does it mean to wear out a disc? (Degenerative Disk Disease)
This is something that many people talk about. It is actually more of a natural process that occurs with aging than a disease. Just like our hair turns gray and our skin wrinkles, our discs also gradually wear out, shrink, and dry out over time. This is what we call Degenerative Disk Disease .
This payment is not the same for everyone. For some, it happens very quickly and severely. In particular,
- For those with weak muscles
- For those who have bad posture (slouching)
- For the obese
Because these people's spines are constantly under unnecessary pressure, the discs wear out quickly. This wear can also cause back pain, stiffness, and other problems.
Should I see a doctor?
Absolutely yes. When you experience back pain, don't just ignore it as a sign of weakness. See your doctor immediately , especially if you have any of these symptoms.
- Unbearable, severe back pain.
- If the pain travels down a leg or arm (especially like an electric shock).
- If you have numbness or decreased sensation in your legs, feet, or hands.
- If your muscles are weak and you have difficulty walking or lifting weights.
- Most importantly: If you have difficulty controlling your urine or stool, or if you experience numbness in that area, this is an emergency . Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Your doctor will examine you, order tests such as an X-ray or MRI scan if necessary, and recommend the best treatment for your condition. This may include medication, physiotherapy, or, very rarely, surgery.
Take-Home Message
- A spinal disc is a rubbery pad that absorbs shocks between the vertebrae of our spine.
- A "herniated disc" is when the soft inner part of the disc pushes through its outer covering, pressing on a nearby nerve.
- Aging, poor posture, heavy lifting, obesity, and lack of exercise are the main causes of disc problems.
- Back pain, pain radiating down the leg, numbness, and muscle weakness are the main symptoms.
- Never ignore back pain. If the pain is severe or you have other unusual symptoms, be sure to see your doctor .
- Many disc problems can be prevented by exercising properly, controlling your weight, and maintaining proper posture.
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