Peer Reviewed
Perspectives on orthopaedics

Disc prolapse

Andrew W Leicester
Abstract
Most patients with a disc prolapse will respond to a conservative approach, which includes rest, analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, physiotherapy and pelvic traction.
Key Points
    Case presentation

    A 41-year-old man presents with acute sciatica following a lifting injury. How is this best managed?

    Discussion

    About 90% of people will experience an acute episode of lower back pain, and many of these episodes are caused by a prolapsed disc. The intervertebral disc is comprised of a thick annulus fibrosis and the gelatinous nucleus pulposus.

    With time, the disc degenerates and this can be associated with a prolapse of disc material, which results in the clinical picture of sciatica. Sciatica is caused by both the mechanical effect of the disc prolapse and an intense inflammatory response.

Purchase the PDF version of this article
Already a subscriber?