The causes of lumbar disc herniation are complex. One of the most basic causes is degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc. In addition, the more common causes are:
(1) Injury: Accumulated injury is the main cause of disc degeneration. Repeated bending, twisting and other actions are most likely to cause disc injury, so this disease has a certain relationship with the occupation. Drivers in a long-term sitting position and bumpy state, and engaged in heavy labor, due to overloading, are prone to cause early degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Acute trauma can be a predisposing factor for disc herniation;
(2) Increased intra-abdominal pressure: such as violent coughing, sneezing, breath-holding, constipation, etc.;
(3) Developmental anomalies: lumbar spine sacralization, sacral spine lumbarization and articular eminence asymmetry lumbosacral congenital developmental anomalies, making the lower lumbar spine subject to abnormal stresses, will increase the damage to the disc.
(4) During pregnancy: the entire ligamentous system is in a state of relaxation, and the lumbosacral region is subjected to greater than usual stress, increasing the risk of disc herniation;
(5) Genetic factors: people of color have a lower incidence of this disease. Approximately 32% of adolescent patients younger than 20 years of age have a positive family history.