Is a 'disc bulge' a serious problem?
A critical study investigating MRIs found that "normal" patients, patients with no symptoms of back pain, often have "abnormal" MRIs. In fact, the study found that disc degeneration or bulging is seen in at least one third of patients in their 20s and 30s. In patients over 60 years old, disc degeneration or bulging is seen in almost every patient studied...and these are patients with no back pain.
This is not to say that MRIs are not helpful, but just because an MRI is "abnormal" does not mean that there is necessarily a problem. As people age, disc degeneration and disc bulging are normal findings. Just as people find a few grey hairs, or a few skin wrinkles, the spinal discs show signs of aging, often as early as people's 20s and 30s. Determining if an abnormal finding is a cause of your back pain depends on your symptoms and examination findings.
Sources: Boden, SD, et al. "Abnormal magnetic-resonance scans of the lumbar spine in asymptomatic subjects. A prospective investigation" J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1990 Mar;72(3):403-8.
Comments
does a bulging disc continue to give problems and how long? two years ago I fell and injure two disc’s l4 and l5. Im still having problems with my back. my brother and farther have deteriating disc. my brother just went threw back surgery in july. it took 11 hours. could this be whats going on with me, wit
h the injury I had and my lower back still hurting and pinching, and going down my leg?
I went on vacation 2 weeks ago to mexico. We decided to take a bus ride into town, i think may be the driver was late for an appointment as he was driving very fast on a cobled stone street.I hurt my back from banging back and forth, That evening the lower part of my back started to ack, during the night the pain increased with intensesaty, I could not lye flat for the pain in the lower part of my back, i could not sit in an upright position becuse pain was shoting in to my buttocks, i could not stand becuse i felt pain shooting up from my heels in to my lags, i am still in pain, what is wrong with me?
I am a 19 year old female. I have mild scoliosis and spinia bifida occulta and believe I have a slipped disk on top of that. When I was 15 and was having back pain I had an MRI. They found a bulging disk, but nothing to worry about. I just rested at home and my back was better. Now I am having the worst pain in my life and my lower lumbar region with shooting/achy pain down my legs, sometimes tingaly. I also am starting sciatic scoliosis (I’m leaning to my right and walking funny) It also hurts to move, sit, stand, cough, sneeze..anything.The hospital I keep trying to get answers from just gave me a back brace and aleve and told me to go home 3 times (once with my primary care provider and twice at the ER) with no x rays or mri. What is your opinion on my condition and what should I do now?
On 11 Jan 08 my vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. Initiallly I felt fine but after 5 min I began to feel a tingling in my back and leg also weakness. I was transported to the hosp and cked out. Nothing severe was noted at that time, given meds for pain and released. I continued to have problems as I followed up with my Doctor still taking meds for the pain. I then purchased a back massager even equiped with heat. The pain eventually subsided then I felt it had gone. I began walking more and felt really good.
The first week of June I began to feel minor discomfort in my left leg and lower back. Then thr 7th of June came, as I left for work I experience pain like I’d ever and took my self to the emergency room. Eventually after several visits to the doctor, numerous medications to include steroids an MRI revealed what the doctor descrbed a servere herniated disc. I immediately accepted his offer of surgery on the 7th of July since it appeared all options had been explored. I’m looking forward to the day that I no longer have to live with the pain.
My question is could the vehicle accident start me on this road in January?
On 11 Jan 08 my vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. Initiallly I felt fine but after 5 min I began to feel a tingling in my back and leg also weakness. I was transported to the hosp and cked out. Nothing severe was noted at that time, given meds for pain and released. I continued to have problems as I followed up with my Doctor still taking meds for the pain. I then purchased a back massager even equiped with heat. The pain eventually subsided then I felt it had gone. I began walking more and felt really good.
The first week of June I began to feel minor discomfort in my left leg and lower back. Then thr 7th of June came, as I left for work I experience pain like I’d ever and took my self to the emergency room. Eventually after several visits to the doctor, numerous medications to include steroids an MRI revealed what the doctor descrbed a servere herniated disc. I immediately accepted his offer of surgery on the 7th of July since it appeared all options had been explored. I’m looking forward to the day that I no longer have to live with the pain.
My question is could the vehicle accident start me on this road in January?