Can herniated disks rupture?

Herniated disc: Bones in your back are cushioned by spongy discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorber. When disc is damaged, it may bulge or break open. This is called a herniated disc. If the disc is up against the nerve there is pain and is clinically significant. Simply having a bulging disc doesn't necessarily cause pain.

All variations: A disc herniation is when a piece of disc material moves out of its normal position. There are a variety of medical terms that describe some types of herniations but the term "ruptured " is not one but more of a lay person's descriptive term for a disc herniation.