As the spinal
disc becomes less elastic, it can rupture. When the
disc ruptures, a portion of the spinal
disc pushes outside its normal boundary--this is called a herniated disc or disc protrusion. When a herniated disc bulges out from between the vertebrae, the spinal nerves and spinal cord can become pinched. There is normally a little extra space around the spinal cord and spinal nerves, but if enough of the herniated disc is pushed out of place, then these structures may be compressed.