Difference Between Herniated and Bulging Disc

The key difference between herniated and bulging disc is that in a herniated disc, the inner portion of the intervertebral disc pushes out from the outer wall of the disc into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture in the outer wall, while in a bulging disc, the inner portion of the intervertebral disc protrudes from the outer wall of the disc.

Bulging and herniated discs are two spinal disorders. Both disorders are due to problems in the intervertebral disc. A bulging disc does not lead to the breakage of the intervertebral disk. However, in a herniated disc, there is a partial or complete rupture of the outer wall of the intervertebral disc.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Herniated Disc
3. What is Bulging Disc
4. Similarities – Herniated and Bulging Disc
5. Herniated vs Bulging Disc in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Herniated vs Bulging Disc

What is Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc is a spinal condition in which the inner portion of the intervertebral disc pushes out from the disc’s outer wall into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture in the outer wall. This condition does lead to a broken disc. In this condition, a gel-like material inside the disc spills out, causing pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. A herniated disc can be caused by gradual wear and overuse as a result of repeated movement over time due to aging, excessive weight, repetitive motions, and sudden strain from improper lifting or twisting.

The symptoms of this condition include sharp pain that radiates down one side of the buttocks into the leg or foot, back pain, tingling or numbness in the legs or feet, muscle weakness, pain near the shoulder blades, pain that radiates to the shoulder, arm, hand and fingers, neck pain, pain that increases when bending or turning the neck, and numbness or tingling in the arms.

Moreover, a herniated disc is diagnosed through physical examination, MRI, X-ray, CT scan, myelogram, and electromyogram (EMG). Furthermore, treatment options for herniated discs include rest for several days, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), applying heat or ice, spinal injection, and spinal decompression surgery.

What is Bulging Disc?

A bulging disc is a spinal condition in which the inner portion of the intervertebral disc begins to protrude from the disc’s outer wall. But this condition does not lead to a broken disc. The common causes of bulging discs may include trauma, genetics, poor posture, repetitive motions in some occupations, poor lifting techniques, and contact sports. The symptoms of this condition may include pain that radiates from the neck down to arms and fingers, tingling, numbness, and weakness, pain that radiates from the neck to the upper extremities (radicular), pain in the upper back that radiates to the stomach and chest, pain in the hips, legs, buttocks, and feet, and sciatica.

Moreover, a bulging disc can be diagnosed through neurological testing, range of motion tests, physical examination, gait monitoring, bulging disc MRI, CT scan, X-ray, CT myelogram, and electromyography. Furthermore, treatment options for bulging discs include steroid injections, NSAIDs medications, physical therapy, rest, chiropractic care, and other prescribed pain medications, and bulging disc surgery like foraminotomy, laminotomy, and discectomy.

What are the Similarities Between Herniated and Bulging Disc?

• Bulging and herniated discs are two spinal disorders.
• Both disorders are due to problems in the intervertebral disc.
• Both disorders may have similar symptoms, such as sharp pain in different body regions.
• Physical examinations and imaging tests can diagnose both disorders.
• They can be treated through over-the-counter and prescription medicines and surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Herniated and Bulging Disc?

A herniated disc is a spinal condition in which the inner portion of the intervertebral disc pushes out from the outer wall of the disc into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture in the outer wall, while a bulging disc is a spinal condition in which the inner portion of the intervertebral disc begins to protrude from the outer wall of the disc. So, this is the key difference between bulging and herniated disk. Furthermore, the bulging disk condition does not lead to breakage of the intervertebral disk. On the other hand, herniated disk leads to the intervertebral disk’s breakage and a gel-like material’s leakage from the inner portion of the intervertebral disc.

The following table summarizes the difference between bulging and herniated disk.

Summary – Herniated vs Bulging Disc

Bulging and herniated discs are two spinal disorders that affect the intervertebral disc. The key difference between herniated and bulging disc is that in a herniated disc, the inner portion of the intervertebral disc pushes out from the outer wall of the disc into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture in the outer wall, while in a bulging disc, the inner portion of the intervertebral disc protrudes from the outer wall of the disc.

Reference:

1. “Herniated Disk: What It Is, Diagnosis, Treatment & Outlook.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Herniated Disc” By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical Gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2).- Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “A Classification of the Disc Displacements” By Irina Nefedova – Kushchayev, S.V., Glushko, T., Jarraya, M. et al. ABCs of the degenerative spine. Insights Imaging 9, 253–274 (2018). (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia