Also referred to as a bulging, ruptured or torn disc, a herniated disc results when the disc's tough outer covering bulges out or breaks open and the jelly-like fluid contained within escapes.. Since the disc provides cushioning to the nerve roots and vertebrae, a herniated disc puts abnormal pressure on the nerves and spinal bone structure. This pressure can result in pain, or in a sensation of numbness or weakness along the nerve pathway and out to the extremities the nerve serves. Sciatica is one example of a common symptom that typically results from disc herniation.

Depending on your age, the severity of the herniation and if there are other medical conditions, recovery usually takes between six weeks and six months using a conservative approach of pain medication, physical therapy and rest. In more severe cases, where conservative treatment alone is not effective, your Sutter team of physicians may recommend minimally invasive or traditional surgery. At Sutter Health, many spine surgeries are performed using Minimal Access Spinal Technologies (MAST™). These high-tech microscopic tools require very small incisions and minimize scarring, possible risks, and recovery time. Surgical treatment options can be utilized alone or in combination with other procedures.

Find out more in our Healthwise sections herniated disc and herniated neck disc. You can find additional information under herniated disk in MedlinePlus®, a joint effort of the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine.

For more information on disc conditions, select one of the following:

• Cervical Disc Conditions
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Herniated Disc