Herniated discs refer to a problem with one of the rubbery cushions (discs) between the individual bones (vertebrae) that stack up to make your spine. It is caused by a crack in the tough outer layer of cartilage that allows some of the softer inner cartilage to protrude out of the disc and can irritate nearby nerves and result in pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. On the other hand, many people experience no symptoms from a herniated disc. Herniated discs are most often the result of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disc degeneration.
Bulging Discs, as opposed to herniated discs, don’t always affect the entire perimeter of a disc, but at least a quarter if not half of the disc’s circumference is usually affected. Only the outer layer of tough cartilage is involved.
