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- how is a herniated disc diagnosed
- how is a slipped disc diagnosed
- how is a ruptured disc diagnosed
- how is a cervical herniated disc diagnosed
What causes a herniated disc!
A herniated disc can occur in the cervical spine (neck) or lumbar spine (lower back). At right: The top disc has herniated, or "slipped," and is pressing on a nerve.
Herniated disc emergency symptoms
A normal disc is shown at bottom.
A herniated disc is often diagnosed by a physician after a patient complains of back, neck, or extremity pain. The physician will gather history and symptoms and conduct a physical examination.
If a slipped disc is suspected, the physician will usually order imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Diagnostic tests may include:
Computerized tomography (CT) is a noninvasive procedure that uses x-rays to produce a three-dimensional image of the spine.
A CT scan may show evidence of a ruptured disc.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are the best tools for diagnosing a slipped disc. An MRI uses magnetic fields and radio-frequency waves to create an image of the spine, and can reveal the details of the disc, the nucleus (the jelly-like substance within) and the annulus (the firm outer layer).
An MRI scan can also show evidence of previous injuries that may have healed and o
- how is a herniated disc detected
- how is a slipped disk diagnosis