what is the difference between a pinched nerve and herniated disc?
44504
A herniated disc occurs when the fibrous outer portion of the disc ruptures or tears, and the jelly-like core squeezes out. When the herniated disc compresses a nearby nerve, as in the image below, the result can be a pinched nerve. A pinched nerve may cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs.
1113290
A herniated disc is “non-contained” which means that a tear or break is present and a section of the gel-like nucleus pulposus has slipped into the spinal canal while a bulging disc is “contained“, meaning that the outer layer of the disc does not have any tears or ruptures, and no portion of the nucleus has leaked out ...
708785
MRI scans can provide detailed images of nerves located near the spine and may help a doctor confirm a pinched nerve caused by a compression fracture. MRI imaging may also reveal the presence of a tumor or infection near the spine.
1366471
Back strains or sprains tend to hurt less with bending forward, and more with returning from a forward bend. 2. Herniated discs are often associated with shooting pain and numbness that travels down one of the legs. Lower back sprains and strains tend to have "centralized" pain (only in the lower back).
69230
The nerves to the lower extremities branch directly off the lower spine. So it's easy to see how a pinched nerve, perhaps due to a bulging lumbar disc in the lower back, could direct pain down that nerve branch and into the knee.
209542
Studies have shown that spinal dysfunction, like a narrowing of the spinal canal or spinal stenosis, pinches and squeezes on the spinal nerves in your lower back causing leg pain that radiates down to your feet. These include: Herniated discs.
437481
Sometimes, a specific injury can produce numbness or tingling, such as an injured nerve in your neck or a herniated disc in your spine. Placing pressure on a nerve is a common cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome, scar tissue, enlarged blood vessels, infection, or a tumor can all place pressure on a nerve.
542846
When the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or inflamed due to a herniated disc, the pain is generally worse when seated.
59167
Symptoms. A herniated disc in the neck can cause neck pain, radiating arm pain, shoulder pain, and numbness or tingling in the arm or hand. The quality and type of pain can vary from dull, aching, and difficult to localize to sharp, burning, and easy to pinpoint.
357935
Muscle spasm in the back commonly accompanies pinched nerves and can be quite painful. Sometimes, nerves can be pinched and the only symptoms may be numbness and weakness in the arm or leg without pain. Other symptoms include tingling, burning, electric, and a hot/cold sensation.
608189
Although it may seem confusing, it's actually quite simple - the term 'sciatica' is a form of a pinched nerve that's directly applying compression on the sciatic nerve. Whereas a pinch in your nerve or compressed nerve can occur in many different areas of your body.
102202
['lower back pain.', 'numbness or tingling in your shoulders, back, arms, hands, legs or feet.', 'neck pain.', 'problems bending or straightening your back.', 'muscle weakness.', 'pain in the buttocks, hips or legs if the disc is pressing on the sciatic nerve (sciatica)']
795998
Back Pain -- Back pain, especially in the lower back, may also indicate a whiplash-related injury. It also could signal a sprain, herniated disc, or other soft-tissue injuries (such as muscle damage). If accompanied by tingling or numbness, it could also point to pinched nerves.
181315
Cervical radiculopathy, commonly called a "pinched nerve" occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated where it branches away from the spinal cord. This may cause pain that radiates into the shoulder, as well as muscle weakness and numbness that travels down the arm and into the hand.
1026928
In general, disc herniations hurt both with bending forward AND with returning from bending up to an upright position. Back strains or sprains tend to hurt less with bending forward, and more with returning from a forward bend.
1407532
You can get a pinched nerve in different parts of the spine, including your neck, or thoracic or lumbar spine. A pinched nerve in the neck can cause radiculopathy. Symptoms of radiculopathy can include numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain into the arm.
329494
The difference between a bulge and a herniation is that, in a bulge, a larger part of the disc displaces beyond its normal boundaries. In a disc herniation, there is a less than 25% focal displacement of the disc beyond its normal boundaries.