What is the difference in a herniated disk & a ruptured disk?

Dear Student,
There actually is not a difference
between a herniated disc and a ruptured disc.  The two names are interchangeable for the
same condition.   It may also be called a “slipped disc.”   Our discs serve as shock
absorbers for our spine and are located between the vertebrae from our low back (the
lumbar spine) and our neck (the cervical spine).  A herniated/ruptured disc occurs when
the gelatinous substance inside the disc comes through a tear in the outer layer of the
disc (the annulus).  A tear in the annulus can come about for a variety of reason such
as a trauma to the disc (a car accident for example), wear or tear on the disc that is a
natural aging process, or from disease such as degenerative disc disease.  Typically,
when a disc herniates, the person will have pain in his/her legs which is the result of
the injured disc putting pressure on the surrounding nerves.  Often times, the sciatic
nerve (a major nerve that runs down the thigh) is compressed, which causes severe
shooting pains down one leg.  Having had back problems myself for 10 years, doctors have
informed me that surgery is performed to alleviate the leg pain caused by disc
herniation, not the back pain.  Usually, if a person has back pain, but not severe leg
pain, physical therapy, cold/heat therapy, and pain medications are the usual course of
treatment.  Also, remember that a “bulging disc” is one in which the inner gelatinous
substance of the disc is putting pressure on the annulus, but has not come through the
annulus.  This can also cause leg and back pain.