John C. Chiu: SMART® Endoscopic Spine System for Lumbar Microdecompressive Surgery . The Internet Journal of Minimally Invasive Spinal Technology. 2007. Volume 1 Number 1.
The SMART® endoscopic spine system, surgical indications, operative techniques, and the potential complications and their avoidance are described and discussed herein.

Disk Herniation in Children and Adolescents
Case History
This 17 year old white female was involved in an automobile accident. She presented with localized low back pain and was diagnosed with lumbar strain. Her pain increased despite maximum physical therapy.

Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
are most frequent at C 6-7 level but also occur at C 5-6 & to a lesser extent at C4-5 & other levels; - in relatively younger persons soft disk protrussion is more common than hard disk protrussion;

Synonyms and related keywords: spondylosis, neck pain, low back pain, lower back pain, LBP, DDD, degenerative disc disease, back pain, cervical disk pain, thoracic disk pain, lumbar disk pain, spinal degeneration, spinal pain
Authors: Stephen Kishner, MD, Residency Program Director, Professor of Clinical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Louisiana State University School of Medicine
Edward Babigumira, MD, Interventional Spine and Pain Medicine Fellow, Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Louisiana State University;
James Monroe Laborde, MD, MS, Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine; Consulting Surgeon, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Touro Infirmary
The intervertebral disk is a complex structure that has been the focus of much attention in clinical practice. The prevalence of low back and neck pain, which are thought to be associated with degenerative changes in the disk, represent major epidemiological problems. In the United States, back pain is the second leading symptom that prompts visits to physicians. As many as 80% of adults in the United States experience at least one episode of low back pain during their lifetime, and 5% experience chronic problems.

Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
disc herniation may vary in severity from disc protrussion to disc extrusion, to finally disc sequestration; - disc containment: - w/ a contained disc herniation, the disc material herniated through the inner annulus but not the outer annulus; - the material is therefore contained, but still can distort the path of the nerve; - w/ a non contained herniation, the disc material penetrates both the inner and out layers of the annulus; - the material may reside beneath the posterior longitudinal ligament or may penetrate through it, or can be sequestered as a free fragment

Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
when the innervated ligamentous layer of the outer annulus fibrosis is stretched because of segmental instability, pain results; - acute sprain probably represents partial tearing of annular tissue; - if annular tissue becomes weakened to the point of allowing nucleus to protrude beyond the normal confines of the annulus, it may actually be a prelude to subsequent episodes of frank disc herniation;

Article by Barna et al 2007
Synonyms and related keywords: back pain, discogenic pain, discogram, disk herniation, disk injection, herniated disk, internal disk disruption, intervertebral disk, neck pain, provocative discography, spine pain
Contents - Introduction; Internal Disc Disruption And Pain Provocation Theories; Indications; Complications; Procedure; Pros And Cons Of Lumbar Discography; Review Of Published Studies; Conclusion; Pictures; Bibliography

Definition Disk removal is one of the most common types of back surgery. Diskectomy (also called discectomy) is the removal of an intervertebral disk, the flexible plate that connects any two adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Intervertebral disks act as shock absorbers, protecting the brain and spinal cord from the impact produced by the body's movements. Encyclopedia of Surgery: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers Expert

Orthospine is a site for patient information about spine diseases, spinal problems, low back pain, leg pain, arm pain, neck pain, spinal deformity, acute pain or chronic pain. Education on diagnosis, treatment regarding pinched nerves, sprained muscles, t Expert

Epidural Steroid Following Discectomy for Herniated Lumbar Disc Reduces Neurological Impairment and Enhances Recovery: A Randomized Study With Two-Year Follow-up.
Study Design: We randomized 200 patients after lumbar discectomy to receive epidural steroid or none with a 2-year follow-up.
Results: Hospital stay was reduced from 8 to 6 days (P = 0.0001) and the number of patients with neurologic signs were reduced more (70% vs. 44%, P = 0.0004) by epidural steroid. Incidence of reoperation at 1 year was 6% in both groups and 8% in the control group and 7% in the intervention group after 2 years. No infections were registered.
Conclusion: Epidural methylprednisolone enhances recovery after discectomy for herniated disc disease without apparent side effects.
Sten Rasmussen, MD; David Stonor Krum-Møller, MD; Lene Risbro Lauridsen; Søren Erik Holst Jensen, MD; Hans Mandøe, MD; Christian Gerlif, MD; Henrik Kehlet, PhD Spine. 2008;33(19):2028-2033

Overview of the anatomy of the disc and what causes it to be herniated Expert

Fact sheet including how this condition develops, symptoms, and treatment options Highly Reputable

Herniated Disk Improves With Either Surgical or Nonsurgical Treatment (Medscape) November 21, 2006 — Patients with herniated disks had improved outcomes during 2 years whether treated surgically or nonsurgically, according to the results of a randomized trial with an accompanying observational cohort reported in the November 22/29 issue of JAMA.

Disk herniation is a rupture of fibrocartilagenous material (annulus fibrosis) that surrounds the intervertebral disk. This rupture involves the release of the disk's center portion containing a gelatinous substance called the nucleus pulposus. Pressure from the vertebrae above and below may cause the nucleus pulposus to be forced outward, placing pressure on a spinal nerve and causing considerable pain and damage to the nerve. This condition most frequently occurs in the lumbar region and is also commonly called herniated nucleus pulposus, prolapsed disk, ruptured intervertebral disk, or slipped disk.

Overview of what it is and how it can be treated through medication, posture, and exercise. Highly Reputable