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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffSeveral factors make you more susceptible to a herniated disk:
- Age. Herniated disks are most common in middle age, especially between 35 and 45, due to aging-related degeneration of the disks.
- Smoking. Smoking tobacco increases your risk of disk herniation because it decreases oxygen levels in your blood, depriving your body tissues of vital nutrients.
- Weight. Excess body weight causes extra stress on the disks in your lower back.
- Height. Being tall increases your risk of disk herniation. Men taller than 5 feet 11 inches (180 centimeters) and women taller than 5 feet 7 inches (170 centimeters) appear to have a greater risk of a herniated disk.
- Occupations that strain your spine. People with physically demanding jobs have a greater risk of back problems. Repetitive lifting, pulling, pushing, bending sideways and twisting also may increase your risk of a herniated disk. Jobs that require prolonged sitting or standing in one position also may increase your risk of disk herniation.
References
- Herniated Disc. NeurosurgeryToday.org. http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/patient_e/herniated.asp. Accessed Oct. 5, 2008.
- Chou R. Patient Information: Low back pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
- Wheeler SG, et al. Approach to the diagnosis and evaluation of low back pain in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
- What is back pain? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Back_Pain/back_pain_ff.pdf. Accessed Oct. 5, 2008
- Hu SS, et al. Disorders, diseases and injuries of the spine. In: Skinner HD. Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Orthopedicas. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2006. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2319599. Accessed Oct. 5, 2008.
- Herniated disk. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00334&return_link=0. Accessed Oct. 5, 2008.
- Chou R. Subacute and chronic low back pain: Pharmacologic and noninterventional treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
- Knight CL, et al. Treatment of low acute back pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
- Health care guideline: Adult low back pain. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/low_back_pain/adult_low_back_pain__8.html. Accessed Oct. 15, 2008.
- Shelerud RA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 12, 2008.
- Heliovaara M. Body height, obesity, and risk of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. Spine. 1987;12(5):469-472.
