What Causes A Bulging Disc

The causes of a bulging disc are most often occur as a result of aging, which causes degeneration of the intervertebral disc or bulging disc in the cervical spine. Poor posture or slouching may lead to weekness of the posterior fibrocartilage of the spinal discs.

Over time, this leads to poor disc integrity and displacement of the disc nucleus fluid posteriorly or a bulging disc. This can lead to nerve compression that is manifested by pain in the affected areas.

A bulging disc can also be caused by trauma of some sort such as a car accident, sports injuries or improperly lifting something heavy. In addition, unexpected load on or torsion of a disc can result in tearing of the annulus fibers and lead to a bulging or herniated disc, which may require treatment.

Bulging Disc Causes

Common bulging disc causes include:

  • Pre-existing weakness of the annulus
  • Aging and general degeneration of the intervertebral discs
  • Trauma related to automobile accidents
  • Sports injuries
  • Poor posture
  • Improper or heavy lifting

Common bulging disc risk factors include:

  • Weight
  • Occupation
  • Genetics

Excessive weight can put extra stress on your spine and the intervertebral discs. Occupations that require heavy lifting or repetitive motions, like bending over, can also increase the risk of a bulged disc.

One study has linked symptomatic lumbar disc disease, a condition caused by the herniation of the discs, to genetics. What this means is that if someone in your immediate family, such as a parent or sibling, had spinal issues, you may be at an increased risk of suffering from similar problems.

Bulging Disc Symptoms:

In the beginning, a bulging disc may be asymptomatic, which means there may be no symptoms or signs that there is a problem. A person may not know they have a bulged disc until an MRI or another imaging test has been completed, or when the disc has compressed a nerve.

The most common bulging disc symptoms include:

  • Pain in the upper back, arms or fingers
  • Pain in the lower back, buttocks or legs
  • Numbness or tingling of the extremities
  • Muscle weakness

If a herniated disc has compressed a nerve in your lower back, you may suffer from sciatica, which causes mild to severe pain in the back, buttocks and hip, typically only on one side.

The Bonati Spine Institute encourages patients with bulging disc’s to contact us to request a no-obligation MRI review or discuss your conditions with our medical professionals. Find out why The Bonati Spine Procedures are considered to be among the world’s best solutions when it comes to advanced spine surgery. Your pain from a bulging disc can become a thing of the past.