Doctors at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, have linked cigarette smoking to a heightened risk of spinal disc herniation—commonly known as slipped disc. The warning follows a successful spinal surgery recently conducted on a patient with a recurrent lumbar disc herniation.
A team of specialists led by Dr. Bhaskar Borgohain, an accomplished spinal surgeon at NEIGRIHMS, performed a tubular microdiscectomy, a minimally invasive technique that effectively removed four sizable fragments of herniated disc pressing on the patient’s S1 nerve root. The surgery marked a critical intervention for the patient, who was suffering from severe lower back pain and limited mobility.
“Scientific research indicates that toxic substances in cigarette smoke, particularly hydrocarbons, may damage collagen fibres in the outer ring of the spinal discs,” said Dr. Borgohain. “This weakens the disc structure, making them more vulnerable to rupture and herniation, especially in the lumbar region.”
Doctors further emphasized that the dangers of smoking go beyond respiratory and cardiovascular risks. The skeletal and muscular systems are also significantly affected, with smokers facing a higher likelihood of spinal degeneration and chronic back issues.