What is a broad based disc bulge

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Broad based disc protrusion is strictly defined as a disc protrusion that occurs around 25 to 50 percent of the circumference of a spinal disc. When any amount of disc material is out of place and beyond its normal boundaries, it can place pressure on surrounding nerve roots, causing them to relay faulty signals between the brain and other areas of the body. That can lead to traveling symptoms like pain, muscle weakness, numbness and so on.

Addressing symptoms through conservative means

When we say “conservative” therapies, we mean treatment approaches that do not involve surgery. The majority of people who have broad based disc extrusions are able to manage their symptoms effectively through a carefully maintained regimen of conservative treatment measures. Some of the more commonly recommended treatment measures include:

• Stretching, which can temporarily “open up” the spine to give the compressed disc more space
• Exercising, which strengthens and improves the flexibility of body as a whole
• Physical therapy, which targets weaker and less flexible areas of the spine for specific improvement in range of motion
• Medications, which help control immediate symptoms such as pain and discomfort to allow the patient to complete other portions of the disc protrusion treatment regimen

Some patients find it useful to incorporate alternative or complementary therapies such as chiropractic care, acupuncture and therapeutic massage into their routines.

When surgery may be an option

Broad based disc protrusions can often be managed using the aforementioned methods, but sometimes the pain and other symptoms continue or even worsen over weeks or months of conservative therapy. For that reason, some people look for a surgical solution. Because surgery can address the root cause of symptoms, it can be effective when other methods have failed.

Available surgical approaches

Although many specific procedures can be performed to help patients with disc protrusion, they can be separated into two categories — traditional, open spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery. USA Spine Care, the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, offers outpatient procedures that provide many advantages versus open neck or back surgery.^ Our patients are up and walking within a few hours of surgery, and the procedures require no lengthy recovery.^

To learn more about USA Spine Care and our options for disc protrusion treatment, contact us today.

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In this section we will discuss some of the confusion in the terminology regarding bulging discs, herniated discs, protruding discs, etc. Many times, even doctors use incorrect descriptive terms. We will use some diagrams to help demonstrate our lesson.

The following information is from the North American Spine Society, American Society of Spine Radiology, and American Society on Neuroradiology.

The term ‘bulging disc’ is and should be used as a descriptive term, not a diagnostic term.

Although ‘bulging disc’ is a popular term, it is usually not representative of what is really going on at the spinal level. It is used because it is easy to understand. Most people really have a herniated disc.

This again is a broad category, which further breaks down into two more diagnostic terms. This is explained using the following diagrams:

By strict definition, a broad-based herniation involves between 25 and 50% of the disc circumference. A focal herniation involves less than 25% of the disc circumference.

Herniated discs may take the form of protrusion or extrusion based on the shape of the displaced or herniated material. The following diagram illustrates this well:

The above information is designed to clarify the use of these terms. The simple fact is that if you have a herniated disc, the disc material can press on the nerve roots or central nerves running through the central canal where the spinal cord lives. This can produce serious back and leg pain, as well as, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness.

Occasionally, the disruption and injury in the annulus fibrosis can be the source of back pain. The outer 1/3 of the annulus fibrosis has a nerve supply, and if the center nuclear materials are migrating through the weakened annulus, this can cause pain.

This condition is sometimes referred to as internal disc disruption. This is very difficult to see on MRI or CT scans and is considered to be the early stages of a herniated disc, although it is still not visible on advanced imaging. This condition responds well to our exclusive Method, allowing blood, water and nutrients to enter the disc and begin healing the damaged annulus fibrosis. Please see the diagram below.

This is a side view diagram. The left side is the front of the body and the right side is the back of the body.

DiscHealingSolution® can be very effective in treating these difficult conditions. The treatment results in an unloading of the offending disc structures, which in turn creates a negative intradiscal pressure inside the disc.

This facilitates water and nutrients exchange into the disc, thus, allowing the injury to heal. It also can cause a vacuum-like effect. Allowing the displaced materials to return to a more centralized position.

Over time, this treatment allows collagen, one of the body’s healing proteins, to form. Collagen can then repair the cracks and fissures in the annulus fibrosis. In addition, the inner matrix material of the disc becomes healthier with the exchange of water and nutrients. Spine stabilization rehab exercises should follow the program outlined by our Method.

For more information on other specific conditions, click any item in the list below.