What Causes Intervertebral Disc?

The intervertebral disc is an important part of the function of the spine. These intervertebral discs are the largest structures in the body. There are also the principal joint between two vertebrae in the spinal column. The intervertebral disc is a cushion between each bone, or vertebrae, in the spine. Each disc absorbs the pressure and stress that the body is exposed to during movement. If you are dealing with any pain in your back or neck and require an orthopedic spine surgeon westchester ny, Dr. Han Jo Kim can help you.

Also, each disc prevents the vertebrae from grinding against one another, which can cause a lot of pain. A common condition, intervertebral disc disease, is identified by the deterioration of one or more of the discs. This can cause pain in the back or neck and even in the legs and arms. Intervertebral disc disease can cause periodic or chronic pain in the back or neck, and this pain is often worse when bending, sitting, twisting, or lifting objects. Any injury to the spine can be very harmful to your health. It’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Causes of Intervertebral Disc

Most injured discs occur in the lower back because the lower back bears the most weight and pressure of our body. Injured discs can also occur in the neck and are a result of a variety of causes. The signs and symptoms of an intervertebral disc depend on where the disc is situated. If the disc is putting unwanted pressure on a nerve in your spine. You may feel pain in your arms and legs along with pain in your back and neck depending on which intervertebral disc is injured in some way. To find out more about the intervertebral disc’s signs, symptoms, and potential causes, click here. Some of the risk factors and causes that of a herniated disk:

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Westchester NY

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Westchester NY
  • Age: An inevitable cause, but disk herniation is most often a result of aging and growth. As you get older, wear and tear of your bones gradually occur. The discs in your spine can become more prone to something happening to them. 
  • Weight: Excess body weight can put extra strain on your lower back. This can lead to one of the discs in your spine rupturing or tearing, causing pain.
  • Occupation: People with physically demanding jobs put more pressure and stress on their spine, especially if they have to lift heavy objects. Repetitive twisting, pulling, pushing, turning, and bending while lifting can also lead to disc herniation. 
  • Genetics: Not always the case, but some people inherit a susceptibility to developing a herniated disc.  
  • Dry Out: When you are born, the discs in your spine are made up of water. As you age, the discs lose water and get thinner. This water loss means that the intervertebral discs, which function as a shock absorber for the spine, won’t absorb shocks that well, and the thinner the discs are, the less cushioning there is between your bones. 
  • Smoking: Smoking and other tobacco products have been linked as a cause of a disc breaking down quicker due to a lesser oxygen supply reaching the disc.

Prevention & Treatment

A herniated disc in the spine can cause severe complications to your health. The spine is an important part and function of your body. It’s essential to take certain precautions and prevent a spinal injury from happening. Exercising, maintaining good posture, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking are just a few simple ways you can do to prevent a disc from rupturing. Medication, physical therapy, steroid shots, and surgery are some ways that you can treat such a spinal injury if needed. Dr. Han Jo Kim and his team of doctors are orthopedic spine surgeon westchester ny, and they specialize in spine surgery and can provide the treatment options that you may need to make a full and healthy recovery. 

Contact Our Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Westchester NY, Today!

The goal of treating any spinal surgery is to ease your pain and prevent more damage from happening. The spine is a crucial structure of the body, and spine injuries can hinder your health and limit your movement and function. Dr. Han Jo Kim is an expert in spine surgery, and if you need an orthopedic spine surgeon westchester ny, Dr. Han Jo Kim will keep your goals in mind. Our Doctor will perform spine surgery utilizing safe techniques and the most effective approaches to help reduce any complications and recovery time. Also, providing you with great results so you are as healthy as possible and get you moving again. Don’t let any pain or discomfort in your spine go untreated to risk it becoming severe and leading to permanent damage. Contact our office today.