{"id":4011,"date":"2023-10-16T17:12:55","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T22:12:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/?p=4011"},"modified":"2023-10-16T17:14:39","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T22:14:39","slug":"does-an-x-ray-show-a-bulging-disc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/does-an-x-ray-show-a-bulging-disc\/","title":{"rendered":"Does an X-ray show a bulging disc?"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-src=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_457627532.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4012 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_457627532.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_457627532-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_457627532-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_457627532-18x12.jpeg 18w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/533;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a Herniated Disk?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">A herniated disk occurs when the \u2018<strong>cushions<\/strong>\u2019 (intervertebral disks) between the bones of the spine (vertebrae) <strong>weaken or tear. <\/strong>This causes the inside of the \u2018cushion\u2019 to budge (herniate) out of normal position. When the bulge occurs, this may cause a range of <strong>nerve-related signs and symptoms<\/strong> if surrounding nerves are compressed. These <strong>\u2018cushions\u2019 are soft tissue <\/strong>sitting between bones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Risk Factors of Development<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Aging<\/strong>: herniated disks are most common in people aged 35 to 55<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Genetics<\/strong>: individuals may have a family history of early onset herniated disks, or many family members with a history of a herniated disk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Lifestyle<\/strong>: heavy lifting, or excessive bending or twisting of the spine (work, sports)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9342944334127739\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9342944334127739\" data-ad-slot=\"9438483114\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Signs and Symptoms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Back pain&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Numbness or tingling (arms, fingers, legs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Frequent urination<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Bowel or bladder incontinence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Headache<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Severe leg pain or sciatica (lumbar disk herniation)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Diagnosis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">A throughout medical history and physical exam are important for a health care provider to determine any imaging needed for diagnosis. The <strong>most common imaging modality<\/strong> is an <strong>MRI<\/strong> (magnetic resonance imaging), as it will show the medical provider the condition of the soft tissue of the spine and neck.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"191\" data-id=\"4013\" data-src=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_396525973.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4013 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_396525973.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_396525973-18x12.jpeg 18w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/191;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">MRI scan of lumbar spines of a patient finding Spinal mass at Lt.side T12-L1 level Severe bulging disc L3-4 causing bilateral L4 nerve root compression  and spinal stenosis on arrow point.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>An X-Ray CANNOT be used to diagnose a bulging or herniated disk<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">X-Rays are most commonly used to assess the condition of bones and joints. An X-Ray may be ordered for the diagnosis of a tumor, arthritis, or fracture. Unlike an MRI, an X-Ray is not sensitive to assess the condition of the soft tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conservative treatment is most common<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">May include bedrest (for less than 1-2 days), heating pads, medication (NSAIDs or muscle relaxants), physical therapy, and aerobic exercises (after 1-2 weeks). If conservative treatments do not relieve symptoms, a your provider may recommend epidural steroid injections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Surgical Interventions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Indication:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Loss of bowel or bladder control<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Progressive nerve damage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unrelenting pain after conservative measures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Most common surgical treatment: remove the intervertebral disk (diskectomy)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Less invasive surgical treatment: disk removal with an incision and hollow tube insertion to remove the intervertebral disk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Occurs when intervertebral disks between spine bones weaken, causing a bulge that can compress nearby nerves.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Most common in people aged 35 to 55.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Genetics may play a role, with a family history of early-onset herniated disks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Back pain, numbness, or tingling in arms, fingers, or legs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Frequent urination, bowel or bladder incontinence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medical history and physical exam are crucial.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MRI is the most common imaging modality to assess soft tissue condition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>X-rays cannot diagnose a bulging or herniated disk; they are suitable for bone and joint conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Includes bedrest (for less than 1-2 days), heating pads, medication (NSAIDs or muscle relaxants), physical therapy, and aerobic exercises (after 1-2 weeks).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If symptoms persist, epidural steroid injections may be recommended.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indications include loss of bowel or bladder control, progressive nerve damage, or unrelenting pain after conservative measures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Take the first step towards strengthen your health by scheduling an appointment with our medical provider through Umedoc today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Jim1-e1593109749582.png\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 400px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 400\/394;\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-1e1e6687-cc66-4cd2-b33c-c7fb406c52e2\"><strong>This article reviewed by Dr. Jim Liu, MD and Ms. Deb Dooley<\/strong>, APRN.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-7f77556d-9f3b-429c-a2ab-51fa8a480471\">There\u2019s nothing more important than our good health \u2013 that\u2019s our principal capital asset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-04d0f33a-53ef-46de-bb65-cc7d9af43bdf\"><strong><em>#medical #telehealth <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>#umedoc<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Deb1-1024x1015.png\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/1015;\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prime.umedoc.com\/auth\/patient-sign-in\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/blog-post-button.png\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recent Post<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"recent-posts\">            <div class=\"recentpost\">\n                <div class=\"thumb\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" data-src=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/d864ca372e-article-320x320.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image lazyload\" alt=\"Understanding GLP-1 and Daily Habits for Safe Weight Loss\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/d864ca372e-article-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/d864ca372e-article-160x160.jpg 160w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/d864ca372e-article-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/d864ca372e-article-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/d864ca372e-article-120x120.jpg 120w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/d864ca372e-article.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 320px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 320\/320;\" \/>                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/glp-1-and-daily-habits-for-safe-weight-loss\/\">Understanding GLP-1 and Daily Habits for Safe Weight Loss<\/a><\/h4>\n                <p> <i class=\"fa fa-calendar\"><\/i> abril 20, 2026<\/p>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"recentpost\">\n                <div class=\"thumb\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" data-src=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/8f57e89b73-article-320x320.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image lazyload\" alt=\"Building Exercise Consistency for Effective Weight Loss\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/8f57e89b73-article-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/8f57e89b73-article-160x160.jpg 160w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/8f57e89b73-article-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/8f57e89b73-article-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/8f57e89b73-article-120x120.jpg 120w, https:\/\/umedoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/8f57e89b73-article.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 320px; 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--smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 320\/320;\" \/>                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/track-daily-habits-weight-loss-progress\/\">Track Daily Habits to Support Weight Loss Progress<\/a><\/h4>\n                <p> <i class=\"fa fa-calendar\"><\/i> abril 18, 2026<\/p>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9342944334127739\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- Side Ads - In Blog Articles -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9342944334127739\" data-ad-slot=\"2793205797\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is a Herniated Disk? A herniated disk occurs when the \u2018cushions\u2019 (intervertebral disks) between the bones of the spine [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"passster_activate_protection":false,"passster_protect_child_pages":"","passster_protection_type":"password","passster_password":"","passster_activate_overwrite_defaults":"","passster_headline":"","passster_instruction":"","passster_placeholder":"","passster_button":"","passster_id":"","passster_activate_misc_settings":"","passster_redirect_url":"","passster_hide":"no","passster_area_shortcode":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[36,40,43,303,440,441,439,438,437],"class_list":["post-4011","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-knowledge","tag-healthcare","tag-medicine","tag-telemedicine","tag-aging","tag-bulging-disc","tag-herniated-disk","tag-telehealth","tag-umedoc-2","tag-x-ray"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4011","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4011"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4011\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umedoc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}