Is a Protruding Disc the Same As a Herniated Disc?

The human spine is made up of 24 bones, called vertebrae, that are stacked on top of each other. In between the bones are discs, which act like shock absorbers and have a jell-like substance at their core.

Herniated Disc

• When the core inside the disc starts to slip out, the disc is herniated. There are three classifications of herniation -- protrusion, extrusion, and sequestration.

Protrusion

• Protrusion occurs when the jell-like substance has broken out of the core but is still contained within the disc.

Extrusion

• Extrusion occurs when some of the jell-like substance has broken outside of the disc and the posterior longitudinal ligament has been broken through.

Sequestration

• In sequestration a fragment from the disc has broken free. Sequestration is extremely painful and requires immediate medical attention.

In Conclusion

• A protruding disc is simply the least severe degree of herniation. Therefore a protruding disc is always herniated, but not all herniated discs are protruding.