DDD

  I am an RN that suffered a lifting injury in a code blue. The patient weighed over 350 lbs. I was diagnosed with lumbar strain. The MRI that was done did show a disc bulge at L5-S1. This injury occurred almost 3 years ago. In March of this year I felt a pop and immediately called my ortho. MRI showed a larger bulge. After a referral to a spine Dr and discogram, I am diagnosed with DDD of L5-S1.I am having a lap fusion with BAK in June. The question I have is whether the initial lifting injury caused the DDD?  I had no back symptoms previous to this injury.
Dear Betsy:
It is extremely difficult to answer this question. This is mainly due to the
fact that you did not have any back symptoms back then, and in fact, there
are many people walking around with disc bulges that are asymptomatic. In
fact your disc bulge three years ago may have just been a coincidental finding
and your symptoms of lumbar strain not related to the disc bulge.
Remember that a disc bulge rarely  causes only back pain.
I hope this answers your question.
Good Luck!