M51.1: Lumbar and other intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy

One or more of your intervertebral discs are damaged.

Intervertebral discs consist of cartilage and connective tissue. Intervertebral discs connect neighboring vertebrae to one another and absorb pressure and shocks. An intervertebral disc consists of a firm ring with a soft core.

When intervertebral discs are damaged they can bulge out between adjacent vertebrae. This is also known as a disc protrusion. When an intervertebral disc is even more badly damaged, the result may be a prolapsed disc. This involves the tough ring of the disc tearing and soft disc tissue sliding between the vertebrae.

The vertebrae form the vertebral canal on the rear of the spinal column. The spinal cord runs in the vertebral canal. Nerve fibers run from the brain into the body via the spinal cord and form nerves there. Every nerve is responsible for a particular part of the skin and for certain muscles. These nerves are important for instance in enabling you to feel and move the muscles.

The damaged disc is putting pressure on the nerves that come straight out of your spinal cord. These nerves may become irritated or damaged as a result.

One symptom of a damaged disc is back pain, for example. The pain may also spread to the arms or legs. The skin can feel numb in certain places. There may also be a tingling. It may also be that you are no longer able to move a part of your body properly.