Various Definitions of Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP)

Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) is a disease caused by trauma or degenerative changes in the nucleus mass strike vertebrae area ; L4 - L5, L5 - S1, or C5 - C6 causing severe lower back pain, chronic and recurrent or relapsed (Doenges, 1999).

Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) is the prominence of the nucleus of the disc into the annulus (a fibrous ring around the disc) with a result of nerve compression (Smeltzer, 2001).

Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) is herniation or protrusion out of the nucleus pulposus that occurs because of degeneration or trauma to the annulus fibrosus (Rasjad, 2003).

Herniation is a gradual process that is characterized by attacks of nerve root compression that cause a variety of symptoms and anatomical adjustment period. (Price, 2005).

Nucleus pulposus is like a ball bearing in the middle disc (cartilage plates that form a cushion between the vertebral body). (Smeltzer, 2001).

Intervertebral discs are a piece of cartilage that forms a cushion between the vertebral bodies. Hard and fibrous material is combined in one capsule. Such as ball bearings in the middle disc called the nucleus pulposus. HNP is a rupture of the nucleus pulposus. (Brunner & Suddarth, 2002)

Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) can to the top or bottom of the vertebral body, can also directly into the vertebral canal. (Priguna Sidharta, 1990)

From some of the above, the authors conclude that the definition of herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) is a disease caused by degenerative or traumatic process that is characterized by the prominence of the nucleus pulposus of the disc into the annulus which cause nerve compression, causing severe lower back pain, chronic and recurrent (relapse).