Slipped discs, also known as herniated discs, affect the spine and its surrounding structures. They can lead to mild to severe pain, and even muscle weakness and loss of mobility in extreme cases. We have already discussed the causes and symptoms of slipped discs, so we won’t get into that here. This post deals with a question we heard recently from a patient who was concerned about her son’s back pain. Her question was: Can a teenager develop a slipped disc? That’s our topic for today.

Slipped Discs

Slipped discs can be caused by a number of factors. First and foremost is age. Herniated discs are more common in elderly patients due to the weakening of spinal discs (and other bodily structures) over time. Herniated discs can also be caused by injuries – especially contact injuries sustained while playing sports. Lastly, a job that requires a lot of heavy lifting can by an underlying cause of a slipped disc as well.

The long and short of it is that any person can develop a slipped disc under the right circumstances, even teenagers and adolescents. Younger patients may be less likely to develop disc problems, but they are by no means exempt. In fact, some of the sports that teenagers participate in (especially those that involve weight lifting) may put them at increased risk of slipping a disc.

If your teenage son or daughter complains of sharp back pain, or weakness in their arms or legs, they may in fact have a slipped disc that is impacting a nerve. Make an appointment to see a physician to effectively diagnose and treat the condition.

More Questions for the Doctor?

If you have a question about a medical condition, symptom, or treatment, contact us via the form on our site and we will answer your question on the blog.

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