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 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. A herniated disk happens when some of the center pushes out through a crack in the outer portion of the disk. A herniated disk may irritate or compress a nearby spinal nerve root.
