What is the difference between a bulging disc and herniated disc?
In bulging disc, the center of the disc (nucleus pulposus) protrudes slightly into the spinal canal but, the outer ring (annulus fibrosus) has not been ruptured. While in disc herniation, a large portion of the nucleus pulposus (center of the disc), will burst through the annulus fibrosus (outer ring of the disc) into the spinal canal, resulting in to pressure over the spinal nerves and causing pain in the back, buttocks, hips, or legs.
