herniated disc

Meaning

1. 1nouncountablemedical

   A back problem in which the soft centre of a spinal disc pushes out through its tougher outer layer and may press on a nerve.

   Grammar: Countable: have a herniated disc, several herniated discs.

   Patterns

   • have a herniated disc
   • a herniated disc in the back

   Lifting the heavy box gave him a herniated disc.

   She had surgery for a herniated disc in her lower back.

   A herniated disc can cause pain that shoots down the leg.

Word forms

Common combinations

have a herniated disc

My brother has a herniated disc and cannot lift heavy loads.

suffer a herniated disc

The athlete suffered a herniated disc last season.

treat a herniated disc

Physical therapy can treat a herniated disc.

herniated disc surgery

Herniated disc surgery is only recommended in serious cases.

lumbar herniated disc

A lumbar herniated disc affects the lower back.

Synonyms and how they differ

slipped disc

Slipped disc is the popular name, while herniated disc is the more accurate medical term.

prolapsed disc

Prolapsed disc is more common in British medical writing and means much the same thing.

ruptured disc

Ruptured disc implies the outer layer has torn, which is a more severe picture than a bulging disc.

Word family

hernia noun

an organ or tissue pushing through a weak spot

herniate verb

to bulge out through a weak area

disc noun

a cushion between bones in the spine

sciatica noun

pain along the sciatic nerve in the leg

Commonly confused: herniated disc or slipped disc?

Practice

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