Hello Janet,

You have asked a very good question. Unfortunately those terms (bulging disc, ruptured disc and herniated disc get misused/confused even by professionals.

Let me search the internet and come up with "references" that best describe each.

Take care.

RichT

Hello Janet,

From a quick search I like the explanation given by the Bonati Institute. I would suggest that you go to the following link -

www.bonatiinstitute-glossary.com/glossary. shtml

Look for "Bulging disc. It is my understanding that a herniated disc and a ruptured disc are the same. Frankly because the meaning of a "herniated disc" is so confusing I much prefer the terms bulging disc, and ruptured disc.

I hope this helps a bit. I'll look some more.

RichT

Back again Janet

The following is the best definition/description that I came across during my short search -

www.doctorken.com/disc.html