What is disc protrusion?

Disc protrusion or slipped discs refer to injuries to the discs of tissue dividing the vertebrae of the spinal column. The pain can arise anywhere along the spinal column or backbone, including the neck, back of the chest or lower back, reports The Spinal Foundation.

If a disc protrusion is not pressing on a nerve, patients may experience little to no back pain, notes WebMD. Discs that press on adjacent nerves, however, may cause pain to travel throughout the leg and cause numbness or a 'pins and needles' sensation.

Diagnosing disc protrusion is difficult because pain can be predominately in one region, while the real injury may be in another part of the spinal region, says The Spinal Foundation.