An elderly woman slipped in the bathroom and had severe pain in her lower back. After X-ray examination doctors told her it is due to a slipped disc. What does that mean? How does it affect our health?
A slipped disc is a condition in which the intervertebral disc is displaced from its original position. The spine gets affected as the intervertebral disc is displaced due to wear and tear of the outer fibrous ring.
It affects our health in the following ways:
i) It causes muscle weakness.
ii) It can cause numbness of the body and pain in the muscles of arms, legs, and lower back.
iii) The activities like walking and standing would become painful.
iv) The affected area around the slipped disc would cause burning and tingling sense along with severe pain.
v) Permanent nerve damage and paralysis can occur if it is left untreated in severe cases.