What does circumferential disc bulge mean?

Circumferential bulge is one that involves the entire circumference of the disc, while asymmetric bulge is the opposite and does not involve the entire circumference but approximately 90 degrees or more.

What causes circumferential disc bulge?

Like a herniated disc, the most common cause of a bulging disc is degenerative disc disease. A bulging disc may also be caused by neck or back strain brought on by repetitive movements, lifting heavy objects, and poor posture.

What are the symptoms of disc bulge?

Symptoms

• Tingling or pain in the fingers, hands, arms, neck or shoulders. This could indicate a bulging disc in the cervical area.
• Pain in the feet, thighs, lower spine and buttocks.
• Difficulty walking or feeling of impairment while lifting or holding things.

How serious is a bulging disc?

Is it serious? Bulging disks increase the likelihood of a herniated disk, which can be painful, affect mobility, and limit a person’s daily functioning and quality of life. Bulging disks can also lead to weakness or numbness in the legs and poor bladder control.

What is L3 back pain?

The third lumbar spine vertebra (L3) is located in the middle of the lumbar spine, making it particularly susceptible to wear and tear. It is one of the most common sites for causes of chronic lower back pain. Vertebrae, along with the discs in between them, provide protection for the spinal cord and nerves that run through them.

How is a bulging disc repaired?

Surgical Repair. Open back surgery, the most aggressive treatment for a bulging disc, requires general anesthetic. The physician will access the spine through an incision near the area where the disc is bulging. A small portion of the backbone is removed so the physician can access the disc.

Is a disc bulge the possible source of back pain?

A finding of a bulging disc is difficult to interpret in isolation. For the most part, bulging discs are very normal findings, even in young, active patients, and they are rarely thought to be a source of back pain . If anything, a significant disc bulge would be expected to cause leg pain as a result of irritation to the nerves going down the legs. Jun 20 2019