Frequently Asked Questions
- How did I herniate my disc?
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Dr. Dennis G Crandall
Mesa, AZAt least 70% of patients have no idea how they herniated their disk. The other 30% can trace the herniation to an injury, most often a bending and twisting maneuver.
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Dr. Sebastian Lattuga
Rockville Centre, NYHerniated discs can be caused by high energy injuries such as motor vehicle accidents or low energy injuries such as twisting, lifting, carrying, or bending improperly.
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Dr. Ezriel E Kornel
White Plains, NYSometimes is it through direct trauma. Often it is due just to cumulative effect of repeated sub-optimal biomechanics of the spine or it may be hereditary weakness of the materials that make up this disc. It is not uncommon to find a family history of back problems, with a number of herniated discs, especially when they are not related to trauma.
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Dr. Reginald Knight
Seattle, WAThe natural wear and tear on the disc causes small defects in the outer layer. This weakness is not able to withstand the forces applied by lifting, coughing, bending etc. If the disc fails, a piece of it may then push through that defect.
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Dr. Kenneth A Pettine
Loveland, COThe answer is extremely varied. I have heard of patients who sneezed wrong, picked up a pencil, or did some trivial physical activity resulting in a herniated disc with intense radiating leg pain. A normal disc does not herniate like this, but many of us have discs that are not normal and, thus, are susceptible to trivial injury that can result in catastrophic symptoms. The main symptom of a herniated disc is radiating pain into the buttocks and leg. If this pain continues down the knee into the foot, this is indicative of a more serious herniation.
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Dr. Jorge E Isaza
Baton Rouge, LAMost disc herniations are associated with a traumatic event. Lifting and turning appear to be the most common mechanisms for this problem, but many people do not have a recollection of a traumatic incident. Some believe that an accumulation of small traumatic events may produce a rupture of disc ligaments and herniations. This phenomenon is referred to as repetitive trauma within the course of normal daily activities.
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Dr. Jeffrey Goldstein
New York, NYDiscs herniate when they are already degenerated by aging or trauma. When the degenerated disc is then injured by some activity, small tears occur in the disc where the central nuclear material can protrude (herniate) through the outer annulus. The activity causing the ultimate herniation may be very minor, such as bending over to pick up something on the floor, or a major trauma.
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Dr. Kambiz Hannani
Los Angeles, CABending, twisting, and lifting are the most common causes of disc herniation. Unfortunately, you can lift a 100-pound weight without causing a herniation one day and get a large disc herniation the next day simply by lifting 5 pounds. Using proper body biomechanics while lifting reduces the chance of herniating a disc. Your spinal specialist can review proper body biomechanics with you.
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Dr. Andrew Glass
Someras Pt., NJSome disc herniations occur during extreme injuries, such as motor vehicle accidents, excessive lifting episodes or falls. In those instances, the mechanism of injury is obvious, as pain will often develop soon after the event. However, other patients develop a herniation without an obvious, known trauma. In those instances it is often postulated that the herniation may have developed due to one of several mechanisms. First, a significant injury may have occurred, but was unrecognized at that time. Second, a series of relatively minor injuries may have had a cumulative effect on the disc. Finally, simple progressive degeneration, or "wear and tear" may have weakened the disc to the point of herniation.
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Dr. John S Shiau
Staten Island, NYThere are two steps to a herniated disc. Number one you have to have an opening in the outer lining of the disc. This can occur with any type of trauma. Number two, over time; the inside of the disc has to become loose and actually come out of the disc wall. That is a herniated disc. The cause for this escape of the disc matter can be minor things like sneezes, or it can be major like a motor vehicle accident.
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Dr. Sean Salehi
Chicago, ILHeavy lifting, falls, and twisting can all cause a herniated disc.
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Dr. Sylvain Palmer
Mission Viejo, CADiscs herniate when they are already degenerated by aging or trauma. When the degenerated disc is then injured by some activity, small tears occur in the disc where the central nuclear material can protrude (herniate) through the outer annulus.
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Dr. Donald D Dietze Jr.
Covington, LAMost of the time, there is no specific causative event. The premise is that no one event is responsible. A herniated disc is a fatigue response of the outer lining of the disc with a failed inner cushion over years of wear and tear. This does not mean that an event cannot injure the disc. The most common event that is reported with disc injuries is a stooped posture with a twisting action.
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Dr. W. Christopher Urban
Glen Burnie, MDA disc herniation occurs when the outer supporting layer becomes incompetent enough for the inner material to protrude out. Factors associated with greatest risk include: cigarette smoking, male gender, age between 30 and 50 years, lifting in a twisted or asymmetric posture, or jobs requiring heavy lifting. The herniation often occurs during an event, such as coughing, sneezing, lifting or twisting.
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Dr. Eung-Jun Cha
Bedford, INCould be by injury, lifting, bending.
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Dr. Theodore A Belanger
Charlotte, NCEvery patient's situation is different, but, in general, disc herniation is a combination of an acute, specific injury to the lining of the disc with squirting out of the inner contents of the disc. The herniation could be related to a lifting, bending or twisting injury. Genetics probably also play a role.
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Dr. Mark Rosenthal
Baltimore, MDBending and twisting typically cause disc herniations. Usually the herniation occurs before lifting; bending over to lift is what often does the damage. Sometimes it is as innocuous as a cough or sneeze. And many times we never know why- some patients have the pain start gradually, or while sleeping.
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Dr. Robert S Pashman
Los Angeles, CAAs we age, the disc may lose hydration and develop small tears and bulges. The herniation can occur due to a lifetime of poor body mechanics, trauma, or by lifting, bending or twisting the wrong way at the wrong time.
The commentary above recounts the experiences of these physicians. Medtronic invited them to share their stories candidly. Keep in mind that results vary; not every patient's response is the same. Talk with your doctor to learn more about any products that are mentioned above.
It is important that you discuss the potential risks, complications and benefits of spinal surgery with your doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that you rely on your doctor's judgment. Only your doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.
