A herniated disc can be a painful condition that may require a herniated disc surgery such as a discectomy combined with a laminectomy. In addition to back pain, a herniated disc can result in pain that extends along the limbs. Numbness, tingling, and weakness may accompany the pain. Additionally, a herniated disc in Miami may sometimes result in serious complications such as cauda equina syndrome or saddle anesthesia. While there are multiple treatment options available to treat a herniated disc, there are only a few primary causes of the condition.
Disc Tear
The underlying cause of this condition is a crack in the exterior of the intervertebral disc. Through this crack in the tough exterior, the softer inner material of the disc can protrude. When this happens, the material can compress and irritate the nerves in the area. This results in the symptoms of disc herniation.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Many patients develop a crack in the exterior wall of a disc due to degenerative disc disease. This condition is a misnomer, as it isn’t actually a disease. Rather, it refers to the age-related changes that can affect the spine. The intervertebral discs are subject to wear and tear damage over time. In a younger person, the discs are cushion-like and flexible. As a person grows older, the discs begin to lose water content. This causes them to become brittle and less flexible. The degeneration of the structure of the discs makes them more susceptible to tearing.
Physical Trauma
In a person with degenerative disc disease, minor physical trauma such as twisting or straining while lifting a heavy object can easily result in a disc rupture. However, a person without degenerative changes of the discs may also suffer from disc herniation if the physical trauma is significant. For example, the force of a car crash or a fall from an elevation may be sufficient to tear a crack in the disc exterior.
Risk Factors
Certain risk factors may increase the likelihood that a patient will require disc herniation surgery. Individuals with physically demanding jobs are at a higher risk because of the excessive trauma to the spine. The same is true of individuals who are overweight or obese; excessive body weight places additional stress on the spine.
