Some causes of disc protrusion are unavoidable. The aging process is the primary cause of disc deterioration. It cannot be avoided. Unanticipated experiences such as injury after trauma, an auto accident, overexertion, or awkward spontaneous movement may result in disc protrusion. However, many cases of disc protrusion happen due to avoidable actions or conditions such as poor lifting habits, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
Causes of disc protrusion
A disc protrusion is similar to a bulge, where an intervertebral disc presses beyond its normal boundary, but a protrusion usually means the protruding section involves a higher percentage of the disc’s circumference and is slightly more advanced than a bulge, meaning the disc is closer to rupturing. Several factors can lead to spine disc protrusion, including:
- Obesity
- Degenerative disc disease
- Genetic factors
- Smoking
- Trauma or overuse
Improving your health for disc protrusion prevention
Lifestyle and behavior modification help in disc protrusion prevention. Consider the following adjustments:
- Exercise regularly to strengthen supporting back muscles and maintain ideal body weight
- Improve your diet to provide good nutritional support for body self-repair
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Quit smoking
- Practice proper posture
- Never strain your back with heavy lifting. Learn and practice proper lifting mechanics
Treatments for disc protrusion
Even for the healthiest individuals, an intervertebral disc protrusion may still occur. If an MRI or CT scan has confirmed a diagnosis of disc protrusion, a regimen of physical therapy, pain medication, rest, and gentle exercise usually controls symptoms satisfactorily.
In the event that these conservative measures prove ineffective, surgery may be indicated. To avoid unnecessary risk and destruction of healthy tissue, the least invasive efficacious surgical treatment possible should be sought. How to accomplish an efficacious treatment and while maintaining the least disruptive course of action is the fundamental idea upon which Laser Spine Institute was conceived and developed. With substantial effort and financial expenditure the physicians at Laser Spine Institute have developed innovative, highly successful minimally invasive endoscopic procedures for the treatment of symptomatic disc protrusion and many other spinal conditions. When conservative non-invasive treatment has failed, more invasive treatments are required. In the past, “more invasive” meant traditional open spinal surgery. “More invasive” no longer must mean traditional open spinal surgery. It now may mean minimally invasive spine surgery. Contact Laser Spine Institute for more information about our endoscopic techniques and outpatient procedures.
