Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain. The inner cartilage of the disk sticks out farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots. A herniated disk happens when some of the softer material pushes out through a crack in the outer layers of the disk. A herniated disk may irritate or compress a nearby spinal nerve root. A herniated disk occurs when some of the softer material inside the disk pushes out through a crack in the outer lining of the disk. A herniated disk also is called a slipped, ruptured or bulging disk or disk prolapse. A herniated disk occurs when some of the softer material inside the disk pushes out through a crack in the tougher outside of the disk. This can irritate or press on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness or weakness.
