Lumbar disc herniation

Lumbar disc herniation is a relatively common disease. Patients with lumbar disc herniation should be careful not to do some high-intensity exercises, such as standing, running, bending over, squatting, frequently going up and down stairs, etc. These will cause very serious lumbar muscle strain, and the formation of lumbar disc herniation is mostly caused by excessive strain.

Overview

Lumbar disc herniation is one of the more common diseases. It is mainly caused by different degrees of degenerative changes in the various parts of the lumbar disc (nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus and cartilage plate), especially the nucleus pulposus. Under the influence of external factors, the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc ruptures, and the nucleus pulposus tissue protrudes (or falls out) from the rupture to the back or inside the spinal canal, causing the adjacent spinal nerve roots to be stimulated or compressed, resulting in a series of clinical symptoms such as low back pain, numbness and pain in one or both lower limbs. The highest incidence of lumbar disc herniation is at L4-5 and L5-S1, accounting for about 95%.

Causes

1. Degenerative changes of the lumbar intervertebral disc are the basic factors

The degeneration of the nucleus pulposus is mainly manifested by a decrease in water content, and may cause small-scale pathological changes such as vertebral instability and loosening due to water loss; the degeneration of the annulus fibrosus is mainly manifested by a decrease in toughness.

2. Injury

Long-term and repeated external forces cause minor damage and aggravate the degree of degeneration.

3. Weakness of the intervertebral disc’s own anatomical factors

After adulthood, the intervertebral discs gradually lack blood circulation and have poor repair ability. On the basis of the above factors, some inducing factors that may cause a sudden increase in the pressure on the intervertebral disc may cause the less elastic nucleus pulposus to pass through the annulus fibrosus that has become less tough, causing nucleus pulposus herniation.

4. Genetic factors

There are reports of familial incidence of lumbar disc herniation.

5. Congenital abnormalities of lumbar sacrum

Including lumbar sacralization, sacral lumbarization, hemivertebra deformity, facet joint deformity and articular process asymmetry. The above factors can change the stress on the lower lumbar spine, resulting in increased intra-disc pressure and susceptibility to degeneration and injury.

6. Predisposing factors

On the basis of intervertebral disc degeneration, certain factors that can induce a sudden increase in intervertebral space pressure can cause nucleus pulposus herniation. Common inducing factors include increased abdominal pressure, incorrect waist posture, sudden weight bearing, pregnancy, cold and moisture.