- Disc Dehydration : This is the stage where the outer layer of the disc weakens and the fibers around the disc become loose. This leads to flattening of the disc with loss of height and increase of the diameter. This is called a bulge.
- Disc Prolapse : This is a condition where the outer layer called the annulus fibrosis cracks and the soft interior of the disc starts protruding through the outer layer. When this happens, the prolapsed part of the disc tends to touch on the adjoining nerves and it’s at this point that you start experiencing pain and other associated symptoms.
- Disc Extrusion: At this point, some part of the protruded nucleus pulpous starts to push out through the outer part of then disc and the gets detached .
- Disc Sequestration : In this stage, the free fragment of the nucleus pulposus (the innermost part of the disc) manages to get within the spinal canal.