I. What is an intervertebral disc? The length of the adult spine is about 70 centimeters and increases or decreases with body size. It is the “backbone” or “central axis” of the human body, consisting of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae. In addition to the first and second cervical vertebrae and all the sacrum and coccyx, all the vertebrae are connected by intervertebral discs. The length of the spinal column vertebrae account for 3/4, intervertebral discs account for 1/4. The main components of the nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral discs are collagen, proteoglycans and water, which is shaped like a small round cake. “Cake” is about 8-10 mm thick, the upper and lower sides of the cartilage surface of the vertebral body; the central “filling” is the gelatinous nucleus pulposus, surrounded by the “crust” is a dense ring of fibers. There is no obvious boundary between “pie crust” and “pie filling”. What is lumbar disc herniation? Lumbar disc herniation is one of the more common lumbar disorders in clinical practice. It is mainly due to the various parts of the lumbar intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus and cartilage plate), especially the nucleus pulposus, which undergoes different degrees of degenerative lesions, and then under the action of external factors, the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc ruptures, and the nucleus pulposus tissue protrudes from the rupture point (or prolapses) in the posterior or in the vertebral canal, leading to the stimulation or compression of adjacent tissues, such as spinal nerve roots, spinal cord, etc., which results in a series of clinical symptoms such as lumbar pain, numbness and pain of one side of one’s lower limbs or both of them As a result, lumbar pain, numbness and pain in one or both lower limbs may occur. Why does lumbar disc herniation occur? Specifically, the causes of lumbar disc herniation are: (1) degenerative lesions of lumbar intervertebral discs: the intervertebral discs are often subjected to weight compression and flexion, extension and other activities such as extrusion and wear and tear, resulting in a series of degenerative lesions. As age increases, the degree of degeneration becomes greater. (2) The role of external forces: in daily life and work, many people have long-term lumbar improper force, excessive force, incorrect posture or position, etc. aggravate the degree of degeneration. (3) Weaknesses of the intervertebral disc’s own anatomical structure: â‘ The intervertebral disc gradually lacks blood circulation after adulthood, and its repair ability is also poor, especially after degeneration occurs. (2) The fibrous annulus of the posterior lateral side of the intervertebral disc is relatively weak, and the width of the posterior longitudinal ligament decreases significantly when it is in the lumbar 5 and sacral 1 planes, and the strengthening effect on the fibrous annulus is obviously weakened. On the basis of the role of the above factors, some kind of triggering factors that can lead to a sudden increase in the pressure on the intervertebral disc, resulting in herniation of the nucleus pulposus. Triggering factors can be: 1, sudden weight bearing or flash back. 2, Lumbar trauma. 3, Improper posture. 4, Increased abdominal pressure. 5, Cold and dampness. Fourth, lumbar disc herniation occurs in which people? Lumbar disc herniation has a certain tendency to occur, generally speaking, it occurs in the following people: age: this disease occurs in the 25-50 years of age, accounting for more than 75% of the total number of cases. Gender: It is more common in males. Occupation: this disease is a common and frequent disease, widely present in all walks of life, but still to the labor intensity of the industry is common. In addition, people who work in a sitting position for a long period of time also have a large proportion of the disease. Environment: People who work or live in damp and cold environment for a long time are more likely to suffer from lumbar disc herniation. Other aspects: Is herniated lumbar disc related to genetic factors? There is no final conclusion yet, but it is certain that certain people with congenital dysplasia of the lumbar spine, such as those suffering from scoliosis, congenital spina bifida and other disorders, have more chances of complicating lumbar disc herniation at the same time. In addition, women who are pregnant, for example, are also at risk of developing the disease due to special physiological reasons that lead to sudden weight gain, coupled with relative muscle weakness and ligamentous laxity.