The spine is a vertical lego - small bones-vertebrae, and between them intervertebral discs, inside there is a gel-like filling. The intervertebral disc is a very dense fibrous ring that can withstand enormous internal pressure because it consists of many thin layers. Wear and rupture of these layers leads to unequal pressure at the site of the tear, where (from internal pressure) the internal fluid of the disc bulges. Imagine a bump on a car wheel. This is what Protrusion is - a condition when the intervertebral disc is squeezed into the spinal canal, but the fibrous ring remains intact, without rupture.
But a spinal hernia is a violation of the integrity of the outer shell of the intervertebral disc, that is, a rupture of the fibrous ring.

Once again. Protrusion is a partial hernia, and a hernia is already an injury.

Why does it hurt? Or why doesn’t it hurt if it does? We feel pain thanks to the nervous system. The fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc is round. Protrusion/hernia can be anywhere in a circle, and even up/down (this is the so-called Schmorl's hernia). And if it happens to a nerve root - unlucky - there will be pain.

What to do? If you are in Scotland, call/text  me. We will decide in the process, depending on the situation... Remember, the sooner you take action, the better it will be in the future. (This applies to absolutely any pathology and/or injury!)
In addition. X-ray/CT will not show the presence of protrusion/hernia, only MRI. But, let me remind you, the presence of a protrusion/hernia seen on a routine MRI is not a clear signal to panic; you may need to breathe evenly. This is PAIN - this is the  signal.

This is very simplified, of course, but, in essence, it is so.

12/05/2025