Causes of a Herniated Disc

Pain from a herniated disc is often the result of daily wear and tear on the spine. However, it may also be caused by an injury. Pain is sometimes the result of pinched nerves that are crowded by the leaking nucleus pulposus. A herniated disc can occur slowly over time, taking weeks or months to reach the point when you feel you must seek medical attention. Or, pain may occur suddenly from incorrect lifting or twisting that aggravates a weak disc. If this is the case, call your doctor right away.

There are four stages to the formation of a herniated disc, as shown here:

Progression of Herniated Disc

1. Disc Degeneration: During the first stage, the nucleus pulposus weakens due to chemical changes in the disc associated with age. At this state no bulging (herniation) occurs.
2. Prolapse: During prolapse, the form or position of the disc changes. A slight bulge or protrusion begins to form, which might begin to crowd the spinal cord.
3. Extrusion: During extrusion, the gel-like nucleus pulposus breaks through the tire-like wall of the annulus fibrosus but still remains within the disc.
4. Sequestration: During the last stage, the nucleus pulposus breaks through the anulus fibrosus and even moves outside the disc in the spinal canal.