Painful condition (7,4) Crossword Clue
Answer: SLIPPED DISC (11 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Painful condition (7,4)" with 11 letters is "SLIPPED DISC".Slipped disc refers to a painful condition where a spinal disc moves out of its normal position, often pressing on nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness. It is a common problem, especially in the lower back or neck, and can result from injury, aging, or strain, leading to discomfort and sometimes requiring medical treatment or therapy for relief.
Why “Slipped Disc” Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (7,4) meaning “painful condition.” The answer, SLIPPED DISC, fits exactly:
- Painful condition: A “slipped disc” is a common name for a spinal condition where one of the cushioning discs between the vertebrae becomes displaced or herniated, often pressing on nearby nerves and causing significant pain. This can lead to back pain, neck pain, or shooting pain down the legs or arms, so it clearly qualifies as a painful condition.
- Direct match: The term matches the (7,4) enumeration—SLIPPED (7) + DISC (4)—and is a well-known medical/lay phrase for a specific, often severe pain problem affecting the spine.
“Slipped disc” is everyday language for what doctors usually call a herniated or prolapsed disc:
- Origin and usage: Despite the name, the disc does not literally “slip” out; instead, the softer inner part can bulge or rupture through the tougher outer layer. This can irritate or compress spinal nerves, causing pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling. People commonly say “I’ve got a slipped disc” to describe intense back pain traced to disc problems.
- Examples: Typical contexts include “He was off work with a slipped disc,” or “Her slipped disc caused severe sciatic pain,” underlining that the phrase is tightly associated with painful spinal symptoms.
In quick crosswords, clues like “Painful condition (7,4)”:
- Point to established names for specific ailments; SLIPPED DISC is a staple entry because it’s familiar, vivid, and fits nicely into grids.
- The answer structure (7,4) rules out many shorter or single-word conditions and strongly suggests a two-word medical or colloquial phrase. SLIPPED DISC fits the pattern perfectly and uniquely combines the idea of a named condition with the expectation of significant pain.
- Once solvers think of back problems commonly described in everyday speech, SLIPPED DISC stands out as the natural solution to “Painful condition (7,4).”
