Symptoms of a Bulging Disc

There are two problems that are often associated with a bulging disc, aside from the potential for pain and chronic discomfort. The first problem is that you probably cannot feel it with your fingers, though sometimes the muscles around it knot up and become tender. The second issue is that even when the pain disappears, the disc may still be bulging.

A bulging disc occurs when the disc between two vertebrae shifts “outside the space it normally occupies between your vertebrae, but it doesn’t rupture.” Bulging discs are a common symptom in old age — though bulging discs can also occur as a result of a spinal injury — and a person can have a bulging disc without knowing it. It is not uncommon for someone to have a bulging disc with no pain or discomfort in association with it.
However, if the disc’s shift causes a narrowing of the spinal canal, there can be considerable pain and discomfort as the disc presses against the spinal cord. This narrowing of the spinal canal is referred to as spinal stenosis.

Ancillary Conditions of a Bulging Disc

Spinal stenosis — Again, spinal or foraminal stenosis occurs when a disc slips to a degree where it narrows the spinal canal and puts pressure on the spinal cord, often causing considerable pain.
Pinched nerve — Though not necessarily a symptom of a bulging disc, a pinched nerve can be caused by tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons around a nerve, a bulging disc can pinch nerves.
Radiculopathy — Often associated with a pinched nerve, radiculopathy is a condition in which pressure on a nerve or damage to a nerve creates numbness. The most acute symptom is, however, loss of function.
Sciatica — The irritation, inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve in the lower back (among other catalysts), sciatica can be created by a bulging disc. Severe pain in the lower back, legs and feet is just one symptom of sciatica.
Foraminal stenosis — Rather than a narrowing of the spinal canal, as is the case with spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis is a narrowing of the space between the vertebrae where the nerves exit the spine. Foraminal stenosis is a common condition associated with a severe bulging disc.

Back and Spinal Conditions with Symptoms Similar to a Bulging Disc

Herniated disc — Unlike a bulging disc, a herniated disc does not necessarily move or shift positions. Instead, the outer wall of the disc ruptures. While not always the case with a bulging disc, pain and discomfort are almost always associated with a herniated disc.
Facet joint syndrome — Though a different condition than bulging discs, facet joint syndrome and a bulging disc may produce similar symptoms. Facet joints are the joints found between your vertebrae that make twisting, turning, pronation and supination possible. When these small joints begin to degenerate, the condition is called facet joint syndrome.

Management of Back Pain

Prior to considering back surgery, there are a variety of noninvasive treatments that can greatly reduce any pain or discomfort associated with a bulging disc. Exercise and physical therapy are the two safest and least invasive treatments for the management of pain generated by a bulging disc, and both have the potential for the long-term alleviation pain and discomfort.
Are you worried you may have a bulging disc? Please contact us by calling (281) 586-3888 or filling out an appointment request to schedule an appointment with a doctor in Houston today.