Lumbar disc prolapse and lumbar disc herniation both belong to lumbar disc herniation, both are caused by the rupture of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, the degenerated nucleus pulposus tissue bulges outward, the main difference lies in the structure of the lesion, the degree of nerve compression, and the treatment method will be different.
1. The structure of the lesion is different: in patients with lumbar disc herniation, the protruding nucleus pulposus tissue and normal nucleus pulposus tissue are connected together, while in intervertebral disc prolapse, the protruding nucleus pulposus tissue and normal nucleus pulposus tissue are detached from each other, and are completely free from the intervertebral disc.
2. The degree of nerve compression is different: a herniated disc can compress the nerve root, causing lumbar pain and radiating pain in the lower limbs, and the clinical symptoms are relatively mild, but when the disc is prolapsed, the nucleus pulposus tissue is free and falls into the vertebral canal, which severely compresses the nerve root, sometimes compressing the cauda equina nerve, which can cause serious symptoms such as urinary or faecal disorders.
3. Different treatment methods: lumbar disc herniation has relatively mild symptoms and can be treated conservatively, such as traction, massage, physical therapy, and surgery if necessary, but disc prolapse is usually treated conservatively with poor results, and most patients need surgery.
Patients with lumbar disc herniation should pay attention to the protection of the lumbar spine on a daily basis, and actively treat the condition under the guidance of a doctor to avoid further progression from lumbar disc herniation to lumbar disc prolapse, in order to slow down the process of the disease.