• What is intervertebral disc?

It is a cushion between two vertebral bodies. It's job is to absorb strain and shock of the body that happens during sitting and movements

They do not have vascular (blood) supply.

• What is herniated Disc / Disc Prolapse?

Disc has 2 components- inner gel like material core and outer layer of cartilagenous  tissues.

Cause –

• With age the disc gets dried up and becomes prone to cracks and from those cracks the inner gel like material protrudes out.
• Trauma/ Injury.
• Lifting heavy weight.
• Wrong postures in daily life lead to increase speed of aging of disc.
• How can it cause problems?
• From direct pressure on the nerve roots.
• Irritation of the nerve roots due to the material of

Disc.

• What are the symptoms of disc prolapse?
• Backache/ Cervical Pain.
• Radiation to pain to lower limbs/ upper limbs (Sciatica).
• Numbness / tingling along the limb effected.

In severe / late cases – alarming symptoms like weakness in lower limb (foot drop) and urinary retention and severe constipation. Known as“ CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME” . 

MRI is the investigation of choice.

• Management- Depending on the severity of symptoms and MRI findings treatment protocol in decided -
• Conservative- Analgesics, Exercise and posture training. 80% of patient get relieved by this method.
• Surgery- Microdiscectomy- the extruded segment is removed and nerve in set free.