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Slipped Disc Risk Factors

Slipped disc risk factors refer to the activities that increase the likelihood a person will develop a degenerative intervertebral disc. Known colloquially as a “slipped disc”, this term is actually rather misleading because a disc situated between two vertebrae cannot literally slip out of place. In fact, a slipped disc actually refers to a disc that has become damaged, allowing the gel-like center of the disc to breach the fibrous disc wall and enter the spinal column. This condition can become painful when the contents of the disc compress a nerve root or the spinal cord.

Activities

As a person ages, it is only natural for the spinal anatomy to gradually deteriorate. Intervertebral discs slowly lose elasticity and become brittle and weak. Eventually, this deterioration can lead to a herniated disc and painful nerve compression. That being said, there are a number of slipped disc risk factors that exacerbate the chance of developing spine problems – particularly in the lower back – which should be avoided, such as:

• Repetitive activities that involve bending or twisting
• High-impact sports
• Smoking
• Becoming obese
• Poor posture

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Symptoms

A person experiencing a slipped disc can develop a variety of symptoms, depending on the location of the problematic disc in the spine. For example, a herniated disc in the neck (cervical spine) can impact the ulnar nerve and lead to shoulder weakness, while a disc problem in the lower back (lumbar spine) may compress the sciatic nerve and cause significant pain in a leg. Other common symptoms of slipped discs include: numbness or tingling in the extremities, local pain at the site of compression, loss of reflexes, and more.

Treatment

If you are suffering from a slipped disc and conservative treatments haven’t provided you with the relief you require, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn about our state-of-the art, safe and effective endoscopic spine procedures. A minimally invasive, outpatient procedure from Laser Spine Institute may be just the thing you need to rediscover your life without back pain. Call today for more information.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.