Common causes of a slipped disc
- A herniated disc can have various causes. In most cases, however, it is the result of physiological aging processes. With age, the water content in the nucleus of the disc decreases more and more.
In fact, from the age of 20, the intervertebral disc can store less and less water. As a result, the elasticity and resistance of the fibrous ring decreases. If there is now increased pressure load due to impacts, vibrations or incorrect loading, cracks form in the fibrous ring.
If this tears completely, it leads to a herniated disc. With special exercises the load capacity is increased and thus the intervertebral disc is relieved. You can find exercises in the article “Back pain – not with a strong back”.
- However, a herniated disc can also occur in young people, for example as a result of trauma during sports or accidents.
- Likewise, incorrect loading of the back can lead to a slipped disc. This happens especially when lifting and carrying heavy loads incorrectly. Because if a load is lifted with a bent back, the intervertebral disc is loaded 8 to 12 times the weight.
What can I expect when I visit a doctor with suspected herniated discs?
Anamnesis If you suspect a herniated disc yourself, a visit to the doctor is unavoidable. The doctor will first take a detailed anamnesis. This means, he clarifies: whether there are pre-existing conditions, since when the complaints exist, whether the complaints may have been preceded by a lifting trauma or another accident, where and how the pain manifests itself and which movements lead to an improvement or worsening of the symptoms.
Even though disc-related problems can manifest themselves clinically in very different ways, it is typical that gentle movements are perceived as pleasant. Holding positions and fast, jerky movements, on the other hand, are painful. Inspection/palpation The doctor will then examine and palpate the spine to detect any hardening, tension or pressure sensitivity.
In addition, the physician will check the sensitivity (sensation of pressure, touch and temperature), muscle stretching pain and muscle reflexes. Based on these results, the doctor can usually already make an assumption. However, the doctor only gets a more precise picture through functional tests (see above tests).
Functional examination The doctor also observes the gait pattern (normal walking, tip-toe gait, heel gait, outer edge of foot gait) and the posture of the person concerned. The doctor then tests the strength and passive as well as active mobility of the spine using the neutral-zero method to identify movement restrictions, paralysis and painful movements.
