If an extruded fragment becomes completely detached, which stage is it?

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Sequestration is the stage where a fragment that has extruded away from the disc becomes completely free, detached from the parent disc. After the nucleus pulposus breaches the annulus and forms an extrusion, it remains connected to the disc if not fully separated. Once that piece breaks entirely away and is no longer attached, it becomes a free fragment in the canal—this is sequestration. Clinically, sequestrated fragments can migrate and cause symptoms that may differ from earlier stages because they’re no longer tethered to the disc. Degeneration refers to initial degenerative changes, and prolapse/protrusion describes bulging where the material is still continuous with the disc, while extrusion denotes passage through the annulus with continued connection.