what is the difference(and significance of difference)betw. a ruptured disc and a herniated disc?

Question: my husband has a ruptured disc and his doctor says he can work as usual (he's a truckdriver), but he knows someone with a herniated disc whose doctor says he can't work because he could become paralyzed on one side if he further damages his disc. we'd like to know if my husband is in more danger for injury than his doctor is telling him. thanks!

Answers:
They are very similar with a tiny difference that is usually overlooked as they are often used interchangeably. When a disk ruptures its tough outer membrane actually breaks and the jelly inside (nucleus pulposum) leaks out. A herniated disk is where the disk does not break but rather part of it moves out of position, usually posteriolaterally where it pinches on the nerves leaving the spinal cord. If you put too much pressure on the herniated disk it could sever the nerves it is pinching, thus resulting in paralysis of the muslces that nerve innervates. A ruptured disk does not put pressure on the nerves in the same way.

Other Answers:
These are just two different terms for the same thing. But as with many medical conditions, you can't compare patient to patient based only on the diagnosis. For many people who have disc herniations that do not impinge (compress) a nerve in the back, they can go on working as normal, and in fact, they get better faster if they return to their normal activities. If you have someone who has a very large herniation and is is pressing on the spinal cord then surgery may be required to fix the problem and prevent damage or paralysis. Much depends on just how bad your husbands disc herniation is, where it is located in the back, and whether or not it is pressing on the spinal cord or other nerves.

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Maybe get a second opinion if you aren't happy with all th info that the first doctor gave. I hope and pray that your husband gets better! I agree with the first answer because I have this problem. Many different names are given to the same problem. Some ppl have it worse than others. I've lived with this since I was in my teens when I fell on my rump while trying to kick something in wet grass. I've had MRI's, CT scans and etc. which all conclude the same thing. Many ppl have this problem and don't even know it. I don't believe the whole thing about being paralyzed from a damaged disc.never heard of it. You know so many ppl that have the save problem as you always try to top it so your husbands friend may be playing the sympathy card.

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