Disc Bulge vs Disc Herniation

In this video, we explain the basic differences between a disc bulge and herniation and how they can present symptomatically and what can be done if the patient is a surgical candidate.

The most common source of spine and nerve pain arises from a disc derangement. The spinal disc is a ligament structure, and its primary purpose is to connect the adjacent vertebrae together. Contained within the disc, is a gel like substance called the nucleus pulposus which is made up of over 80% water. The inner nucleus material is sealed by the outer cartilaginous layers called the annulus fibrosis.

Due to direct trauma, repetitive overloading or the aging process, the human disc can lose its ability to maintain its integrity and can either bulge or herniate over time.

Disc Bulge:

A disc bulge is where the outer annulus fibrosis bulges outwards and beyond the outer edge of the adjacent vertebral bone. The inner gel like substance is still contained within the disc and has not ‘escaped’ out of the disc walls. A disc bulge is clinically defined as having disc migration more than 50 percent of the total disc circumference.

Disc Herniation:

In contrast to a disc bulge, a herniation is where the inner gel like substance seeps through both the inner outer walls of the disc and herniates outward and beyond the outer edge of the adjacent vertebral bone. Disc herniations are clinically defined as migrations of disc tissue occupying less than 50 percent of the disc’s circumference.