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The disks are parts of the spinal cord. The disks are made up of soft cartilages and they separate the vertebrae of the spinal column. The main function of the spinal discs is to act as shock absorber and also to support elasticity, which aids mobility. If a rupture occurs in a disc, then it is called a ruptured disk.
When a ruptured disc occurs, the soft materials that make the disk come out through the smooth bindings of the vertebrae bones or the spinal joints. A rupture can make the disk compressed or bulge out of portion. This can cause irritation to a nerve root, resulting in great pain. Sometimes the injury is so severe that the elevated disc damages some of the nerves.
What are the symptoms of a ruptured disk?
The usual symptoms of ruptured disk are loss of sensation in that area, tremendous pain in the area where the rupture has occurred. Tingling effect may also occur accompanied with numbness. Swelling may take place and the area becomes heated up. If your rupture has occurred in the lumbar region, there might be the possibility of the disc protruding on the sciatica nerve. In that case, the pain will start at the buttock region and travel down to the legs as well. It can reach to ankle joints as well. Prolonged pressure on the sciatica nerve will cause leg weakness. It’s very little known that a ruptured disk can also cause irregular bowel movements and also affect the blander of the kidneys.
A ruptured disc can occur in any part of the back and cause you a lot of trouble. If it occurs in the neck region it is called neck spondylosis. If it happens in thoracic region, it is called cervical spondylosis.
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