What happens in a herniated disc?

In a herniated disc, the inner gel-like core, known as the nucleus pulposus, bulges or leaks out through a tear or rupture in the outer layer of the disc, which is called the annulus fibrosus. This bulging can put pressure on nearby nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness in the affected areas. It’s important to understand that while the outer layer may sustain damage, it does not always need to rupture completely for a herniation to occur. The key feature of a herniated disc is this protrusion of the nucleus pulposus, which can disrupt the normal function of nearby structures in the spinal column. This condition can lead to various symptoms depending on the location of the herniation and the nerves involved.