What is lumbar disc herniation? With age, the intervertebral disc will undergo degenerative changes (similar to aging) under the action of a variety of factors, such as acute chronic injury, the nucleus pulposus of the disc bulges, protrudes or ruptures from the weak zone of the annulus fibrosus, and the release of compressive or inflammatory factors that compress or stimulate the cauda equina or nerve roots of the dural sac, causing symptoms of low back pain, lower limb pain and even lower limb muscle strength or urinary and fecal disorders, which become Lumbar disc herniation. What is disc degeneration? Disc degeneration is an age-related biological change, the aging process, and degeneration is the process of aging. The intervertebral disc tissue bears the weight of the human trunk and upper extremities, and during daily life or labor, the strain is heavier than other tissues, and the blood supply is low and nutrition is limited, so it is very easy to degenerate and has limited repair ability. The main manifestations are the formation of fissures in the annulus fibrosus, reduction of water in the intervertebral disc, decrease in elasticity, narrowing of the intervertebral space, edema of the bone under the end plate, and fattening or sclerosis. MRI shows changes such as decreased signal in the nucleus pulposus and high signal areas in the annulus fibrosus. What is the relationship between disc degeneration and herniation? Disc degeneration is a normal aging process, and normal disc degeneration begins at age 25. Degeneration does not necessarily progress to herniation, and most degeneration does not even result in disc herniation, but degenerated discs tend to progress to herniation under adverse factors. Are bulging discs and herniated discs the same thing? A bulging disc is a uniform bulging outward of the entire disc annulus fibrosus due to a decrease in water in the nucleus pulposus. A herniated disc is a localized weakness or a major fracture of the disc annulus fibrosus with a restricted bulge of the nucleus pulposus component.