MSK: Prolapsed Disc: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️FREE MSRA PODCAST –Lower Back Pain: Prolapsed Disc (Herniated/Slipped Disc)🎧 Your bite-sized, high-yield audio companion forrapid MSRA revision or on-the-go learning. 🧠Key Learning Points📌Definition• Prolapsed (herniated/slipped) disc = the softcentral gel (nucleus pulposus) of a spinal disc pushes out through a tear inits tough outer layer (annulus fibrosis)• This herniationcan compress spinal nerve roots, causing pain and neurological symptoms 📌Causes & RiskFactors• Age-related degeneration (discs dry out, lessflexible)• Repetitive strain: jobs with lots of lifting,bending, twisting• Improper lifting technique• Trauma/injury (falls, accidents)• Obesity• Smoking (impairs disc nutrition)• Genetics/family historyMnemonic: AS-RIGOS — Age, Strain, Repetitive,Injury, Genetic, Obesity, Smoking 📌Pathophysiology• Annulus fibrosisweakens/tears → nucleus pulposus herniates• Protrudingmaterial presses on adjacent nerve roots• Compression +inflammation cause pain and neuro symptoms 📌Symptoms &Clinical Features• Sharp lower back pain (or neck pain, dependingon disc)• Radicular pain (sciatica) — radiates down leg(lumbar) or arm (cervical)• Numbness, tingling, weakness in affected limb• Altered reflexes on exam• Severe: bowel/bladder dysfunction (think caudaequina syndrome — surgical emergency!) 📌DifferentialDiagnosis• Degenerative discdisease• Spinal stenosis• Piriformissyndrome• Muscle strain• Tumour, infection(rare but serious) 📌Diagnosis• Clinical assessment: pain history, neuro exam• MRI: gold standard to visualise disc herniationand nerve compression• CT: useful for bony anatomy• Nerve conduction studies/EMG (if diagnosisunclear or nerve function needs assessment) 📌Management• Conservative first: – Relative rest (avoid aggravating activity, nostrict bed rest) – Physiotherapy (core strength, flexibility,posture) – Pain relief: NSAIDs, analgesics, sometimesmuscle relaxants – Epidural steroid injections for persistent pain• Surgery (discectomy/microdiscectomy) reservedfor: –Severe/progressive neuro deficit – Cauda equinasyndrome – Failure ofconservative therapy• Prevention: address risk factors, properlifting, strengthen core 📌Prognosis &Complications• Good prognosis: 80–90% improve withconservative management• Recurrence possible if risk factors persist• Complications: – Chronic pain – Permanent nerve damage – Cauda equina syndrome (bowel/bladder symptoms,saddle anaesthesia — urgent!) 📎MSRA Resources forProlapsed Disc📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/lower-back-pain-prolapsed-disc-revision-notes/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/lower-back-pain-prolapsed-disc-accordion-qa-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/lower-back-pain-prolapsed-disc-flashcards/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/lower-back-pain-prolapsed-disc-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/lower-back-pain-prolapsed-disc/ #MSRA #LowerBackPain#ProlapsedDisc #HerniatedDisc #SlippedDisc #MSRARevisionNotes #MSRAQuiz#MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQandANotes #MSRAAccordions #Orthopaedics #MSK#MSRAOnlineRevision