A slipped disc

The spine consists of a series of interconnected bones (vertebrae). Impacts that are caused by common activities such as walking or running dampen the plates between the vertebrae. Each plate has two parts: a soft, gelatin inner part and a hard outer ring. An injury may cause the inner part of the disc to pass through the outer ring. This condition is known as a jumped out (herniated, prolapsed) plate. It causes pain and significant discomfort. If the jumped plate presses on one of the back nerves, numbness and pain along this nerve may occur. If the plate presses on the nerve, it causes pain to shoot into the butt, thighs and calf. A plate jumping out can also occur as a result of spinal injury or wear that comes with the age when the plates begin to dry out.