Ever wondered what actually happens when you have a disc prolapse in your back and sombody diagnoses you with Sciatica?

Just remember Sciatica is NOT a diagnosis, it is a symptom of your sciatic nerve being compressed by something…….

This is a simple drawing in plan and side view of a healthy disc sat between two vertebra and with the longitudinal ligaments in place at the front and the back of the disc.

Above is a good diagram that highlight’s the disc in its correct position identifying the difference between a healthy disc and a degenerated disc. The yellow indicates the peripheral nerves coming out from the spinal cord. Note in the healthy disc picture, the peripheral nerves are not touching anything but in the degenerative disc picture, the disc is touching the nerve.

Above is a good example of what happens when a disc degenerates and starts to lose its integrity and structure. At this point often the case is that people experience low back ache and pretty much ignore it.

If the degeneration is allowed to continue then ultimatley an Annular tear can form as shown above.

From the annular tear a prolapse or herniation can occur and as you can see above on the left a nerve root can be compromised.

This is a good illustration showing a disc herniation which has compromised the nerve root.

If the nerve root being compromised, is one of the nerve roots that makes up the sciatic nerve then here is your diagnosis. Sciatica has occured as a consequence of the nerve root being compressed.

This is a very simple overview of why you may be having pain or pins and needles in your leg and pain in your back.

If a bulge or herniation occurs in the centre of the disc at the back then this could result in central cord compression which is far more serious. That explanation is for another day.

Thanks for reading