Brittany Best
Dr. Kathy Kenna
Human Anatomy
September 15, 2010
Spinal Disc Herniation
Spinal Disc Herniation (SDH) happens when a rip in the tough, outside ring of an invertebral disc lets the soft, central portion to swell. This probably could result in the release of inflammatory chemical mediators, which might cause a horrible amount of discomfort, even nerve damage. This is not classified as a “slipped disc” because it is pressed between two vertebrae and can be pushed, pressed, and twisted in small degrees. It can also be torn, tattered, herniated, and degenerated, but it can’t literally “slip”.
Wear and tear on this disc causes the herniation. For example, when you hold a job that requires a continuous, heavy amount of lifting. Damage to the lumbar disc happens when you bend at the waist instead of lifting with the legs. Herniation of the discs frequently occur when the anterior side of the disc is flattened while sitting or bending forward, and the insides of the discs get pushed against the membrane on the discs posterior side. The membrane might rupture if the insides of the disc are pressed against it, therefore increasing the pressure. The gel like substance inside the disc then moves into the spinal canal, pressing against the spinal nerves, creating powerful and incapacitating pain.
This is where spinal fusion comes in. Spinal fusion is the surgical procedure used to combine two or more vertebrae. This process is used mainly to get rid of the pain caused by abnormal motion of the vertebrae by immobilizing the vertebrae one by one.
There are two main forms of spinal fusion, which can be used together, or separate. Posterolateral fusion places the bone implant between the transverse processes in the back of the spine. These vertebrae are then secured in place with screws and/or wire through the pedicles of the vertebrae attaching to a metal rod on the bilateral of the vertebrae. The other type of fusion is interbody fusion. This places the bone...