Causes of Cervical Disc Herniation
Prevalence of cervical disc prolapse
Disc herniation prevalence is the most common, even in healthy people. Up to 20% of young adults and over 75% of older adults have spinal disc herniations, often without experiencing any issues. The incidence of cervical disc herniation rises with age for both men and women and is commonly seen in people in their 50s and mainly occurs in women (60%).
No apparent cause (idiopathic) accounted for 11.7% of the cases
A Romanian study published in 2015 demonstrated that the annual prevalence of cervical herniated disc cases could reach up to 5.5 patients per one lakh citizens. Seemingly, the study stated that the C5-C6 are the most effected vertebrae, followed by C4-C5 and C6-C7.
As per Eastern India research, acute events like road traffic accidents, carrying heavy objects overhead, violence, assault, falls, repetitive strain in the neck, sports & recreation, and falling objects are some of the leading causes of cervical disc herniation and they published the following:
Acute events leading to cervical disc herniation, including road traffic accidents, occur in 27.9% of cases within 48 hours.
Lifting heavy objects accounted for 16.1% of the cases.
Violence and assault accounted for 11.7% of the cases
Road traffic accidents, violence, and assault may produce both radiculopathy with or without spinal cord injuries
Fall accounted for 10.3% of the cases
Repetitive strain accounted for 10.3% of cases
Sports & recreation accounted for 7.3% of the cases
Falling objects accounted for 4.4% of the cases
Cervical disc prolapse causes
The common cause of cervical disc สมัคร UFABET วันนี้ รับเครดิตฟรีสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ prolapse is the degeneration and trauma to the cervical intervertebral disc. The cervical spine has smaller discs with high mobility; due to this, they are more prone to degeneration (wear and tear) from sudden forces and repetitive movement.
Other cervical disc herniation causes include the following:
- Age: When we are young, our spinal discs contain a significant amount of water. However, as we age, the amount of water in our spinal discs decreases, leading to a loss of flexibility in the discs. As a result, when we move, twist, or turn, there is a higher risk of developing disc herniation. This risk is particularly high in older individuals, as their discs can rupture with less force.
- Facet joints: Spinal changes arising from regular wear and tear, aggravated by age are seen usually among the discs and ligaments around the small joints at the back of the neck may induce a cervical herniated disc.
- Improper lifting: Instead of legs, using back muscles to lift heavy objects may cause a herniated disc, and twisting while lifting makes the muscles more vulnerable for herniation.
- Whiplash-type injury (Injury to the neck): Traumas or injuries such as accidents or sudden falls may force the cervical spine to cause a tear where the disc’s inner gel bulges through the tougher outer layers leading to herniation.
- Movement (sudden twisting or bending of the neck): Sudden bending or twisting of the neck may strain the cervical spine discs. These motions may cause excessive pressure on discs, leading them to bulge resulting herniation.
- Repetitive activities that strain the spine: Constant neck bending in the forward motion, particularly in certain occupations or activities that require continuous pulling, lifting, twisting, or bending. Performing these actions repeatedly may strain the spine more.