Michigan Head & Spine Institute

Herniated Discs
PROCEDURES/ CONDITIONS Brain Aneurysm & Coiling of Aneurysms Awake Craniotomy and Functional Mapping Brain Tumors Carotid Artery Stenting Carotid Endarterectomy Cerebral Aneurysm Cerebral Arterio-Venus Malformation Surgery Craniofacial Reconstruction Facial Pain Gamma Knife Hemifacial Spasms Pediatric Neurosurgery Peripheral Nerve Surgery Permanent Low Dose Implants Radiosurgery Skull Base Surgery Stereotactic Biopsy Stroke Trigeminal Neuralgia Spine Chiropractic Care Interactive Education Herniated Discs		Vertebrae, the series of bones connected to protect the spinal column, are each joined to one another by a disc and two small joints. When the discs between vertebrae age, they often lose water content and can become less effective as a cushion. As it deteriorates, the disc can tear or be moved out of its natural position between two vertebrae and place pressure on the spinal column. When this happens, the disc has herniated and can cause severe back pain. Some patients who do not respond to initial treatments may require a discectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the part of the disc in contact with the nerve, usually with good results. Some fusion of vertebrae may also be necessary to prevent additional back pain.

Herniated Discs