What condition is often a result of a herniated disc?

Study for the RTBC Spine Test with engaging quizzes and realistic questions. Access helpful hints and detailed explanations for each question to ensure a thorough understanding and ace your exam confidently!

A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner gel of the disc protrudes through a tear in the tougher exterior. This condition can compress nearby spinal nerves, leading to symptoms known as radiculopathy. Radiculopathy is characterized by pain, numbness, and weakness in the areas served by the affected nerves, which often radiates down into the arms or legs, depending on the location of the herniation.

In contrast, lordosis, osteoporosis, and kyphosis refer to different spinal conditions. Lordosis is an exaggerated inward curvature of the spine, osteoporosis involves the weakening of bones making them more prone to fractures, and kyphosis refers to an exaggerated outward curvature of the spine. While these conditions can coexist with a herniated disc, they are not direct consequences of the disc's pathology. Therefore, radiculopathy is the primary syndrome resulting from the compression of spinal nerves that follows a herniated disc.

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