CERVICAL PATHOLOGY - DISC PROTRUSIONbr Cervical Spine Pathology Intervertebral Disc Protrusion neuro-surgery informationbr DISC HEALTHbr When you sit, stand up, bend or twist, large compressive forces are applied to your spine. There are several factors that determine the ability of your inter-vertebral discs to handle these forces:br your inherited make-upbr disc health – worsened by smoking, poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, weak muscles, and obesitybr ageingbr poor posture – while sitting, standing and liftingbr heavy loads during home or sporting activities. neuro-surgery information.br br DISC INJURYbr When the forces applied to your back exceed the strength of your discs, minor injuries to the disc can occur. It is important to note these injuries may or may not hurt at the time. As the continuous stresses and repeated injuries accumulate, they cause wear and tear on the spine’s discs and joints. Cervical Spine Pathology Intervertebral Disc Protrusion neuro-surgery information.