Back and neck injuries are among the most common types of injuries arising from personal injury accidents in the City of Buffalo. In some cases, these injuries may include what is called bulging or herniated disc in the spine.
The disc referred to in these types of injuries is the softer material between the individual vertebrae that make up the spine. Its general purpose is to cushion the bones during movement so that they do not rub together or squeeze other material, such as nerve roots, between them during movement.
An intervertebral disc consists of thick fibrous tissue, called the annulus, which surrounds and gives shape to the softer, more jelly-like material inside. This interior material acts to cushion the spine. For various reasons, including aging and trauma caused by an accident, the annulus may be damaged.
When the annulus is still intact but the material inside the disc is pushing out, causing the disc to have an asymmetrical appearance, it is usually considered a bulge. When the annulus is torn sufficiently to allow the interior material to break through the covering, it is usually referred to as a herniation. Please keep in mind, however, that there is no clear cut defining line between a bulge and a herniation. The terms just refer to different degrees of the same type of injury.
As a result, what one doctor may call a bulge, another may refer to as a herniation. If you have suffered this type of injury, you should be sure to discuss the details with your medical provider so that you have a sufficient understanding of how to proceed.
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