Bulging Disc Causes

One of the main causes of a bulging disc is aging. As you grow older, the shock-absorbing discs between your vertebrae may lose water content, making them stiff, flatter, and less cushiony. If a disc becomes too weak, the outer part (annulus) may balloon out, ultimately pressing on the nerves beside it. This is a bulging disc. If a disc bulge ruptures and allows the inner contents, or nucleus pulposus, of the disc to seep out and irritate nerve tissue, this is called a herniated disc or ruptured disc. Bulging discs can begin in a person’s twenties and are most common in people who are in their thirties and forties.

While bulging discs are often caused by degenerative changes as we age, there may be other contributing factors behind this condition, such as:

• Severe trauma, such as a car accident
• Improper lifting techniques
• A family history of disc problems
• Working in an occupation that requires a lot of lifting, bending, standing, and driving
• Participation in sports
• Smoking

A bulging disc can occur in the neck (cervical region), lower back (lumbar region), or in the mid back (thoracic spine). Bulging disc symptoms typically start at the location of the damaged disc and travel along affected nerves. For example, a lumbar bulging disc can begin as an aching in the lower back and develop into shooting, burning pains that travel down the sciatic nerve to the buttocks, thighs, and feet. This condition is also known as sciatica.

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A percutaneous endoscopic discectomy procedure is performed at Laser Spine Institute to treat a bulging disc and relieve the pain caused by this condition. Our award-winning surgeons have performed this procedure thousands of times, with our staff always going above and beyond to provide you with the best care imaginable. See for yourself by reading a few of our previous patient testimonials. You will understand how this procedure can start you on the path to a better life.

If you have questions about bulging disc causes and whether our revolutionary procedures are appropriate for your neck or back problem, please contact us for a free MRI or CT scan review.

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