Why Do Volleyball Players Keep Reinjuring The Same Disc?

Many volleyball players often reinjure the same disc because repetitive jumping, twisting, and sudden landings place constant stress on the lower back. This risk increases if your core is weak or your technique is poor, making the disc more prone to injury. To prevent overuse injuries, you should strengthen your core, improve your movements, and rest properly.

At Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, our herniated disc surgeon provides a comprehensive assessment of your spine, biomechanics, and underlying factors contributing to disc injuries. Based on these findings, we develop a structured treatment plan that focuses on restoring stability, improving movement mechanics, and reducing stress on the affected disc. Call 855-321-6784 to schedule your follow-up appointment with our spine surgeon for disc injury.

What Causes Recurring Disc Injuries In Volleyball?

Recurring disc injuries in volleyball occur because repetitive lumbar hyperextension and increasing rotation during serves, spikes, and sets place constant stress on your lower back. Over time, this repeated strain weakens the intervertebral discs, which makes your lower back more prone to reinjury and chronic pain.

In addition, recurring disc injuries can be caused by the following factors:

Weak Core Muscles

A weak core limits the spine’s ability to rely on the abdominal and back muscles to absorb stress. As a result, your lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs take most of the impact during jumping, twisting, and landing. By building a strong core with exercises like planks, bridges, and rotational drills, you can stabilize the lumbar spine and help reduce the risk of reinjuring the same disc.

Poor Landing Mechanics

Improper landing after spikes, blocks, or serves puts pressure on the lumbar discs and posterior elements of your spine. By bending your knees, distributing your weight evenly through your feet, and engaging your core, you can reduce stress on your lower back and protect the L4-L5 and L5-S1 discs.

Overuse and Limited Recovery

Playing volleyball excessively without enough rest limits your discs’ ability to repair microdamage caused by repeated loading. As a result, continuous overuse accelerates disc degeneration and increases the risk of stress fractures or slipped discs.

Muscle Imbalances

Overusing your dominant shoulder or having uneven strength in your legs, hips, and back places unwanted pressure on the lumbar spine. This pressure forces the discs to compensate, increasing the risk of injury. That’s why you should strengthen both sides of your body evenly and include corrective exercises to restore motion symmetry and reduce recurring disc strain.

Reduced Flexibility

Tight muscles in your hamstrings, hip flexors, or lower back limit proper rotation during serves and spikes. This limited flexibility forces your lumbar spine to over-rotate, putting extra pressure on the disc material and spinal canal. Instead, you should practice regular stretching, mobility drills, and yoga-inspired exercises to maintain full motion and protect your lower back.

Disc Degeneration

Age, chronic stress, and repeated volleyball movements gradually reduce the elasticity of your discs, reducing their ability to absorb impact and rotational forces. As a result, more pressure is placed on the lumbar vertebrae and surrounding soft tissues, increasing the risk of injury. By focusing on strength training, controlled motion, and effective injury prevention strategies, you can protect your lumbar spine over time.

Can Muscle Imbalances Increase Risk of Reherniation?

Yes, muscle imbalances can increase the risk of re-herniation. When your core, back, or gluteal muscles are weak while opposing muscles are tight or overactive, your spine does not move efficiently. This uneven support places extra stress on the intervertebral discs, making them more prone to injury.

According to a study published in the European Spine Journal, patients with recurrent lumbar disc herniation showed significantly reduced multifidus and erector spinae muscle mass. The researchers also noted that stronger multifidus function provided a protective effect against recurrence (OR = 0.665, p < 0.001). In contrast, psoas muscle imbalance was associated with a higher risk of recurrence (OR = 1.15, p < 0.001). Overall, these findings clearly show that muscle imbalances compromise spinal stability and significantly increase the risk of lumbar disc reherniation.

Therefore, you should follow these strategies to reduce strain and lower the risk of a disc herniation.

• Strengthening weak muscles: Target your core, glutes, and lower back with exercises like planks, bridges, and bird-dogs to stabilize the lumbar spine.
• Improving overall balance: Include unilateral exercises, such as single-leg squats or lunges, to ensure both sides of your body share the load evenly.
• Stretching tight muscles: Regularly stretch hamstrings, hip flexors, and shoulder muscles to improve flexibility and reduce excess strain on the spine.
• Correcting movement patterns: Work with a trainer or therapist to identify compensatory habits and practice proper techniques during serves, spikes, and landings.
• Monitoring fatigue during play: Fatigue worsens poor mechanics and increases stress on your spine. Therefore, taking breaks and rotating positions helps evenly distribute the load and reduces the risk of injury.

Does Incomplete Healing Cause Repeat Disc Injury?

Yes, incomplete healing can lead to recurrent disc injury. When your injured disc does not fully recover, its structure remains weak and can not support the stress of jumping, twisting, and sudden landings. This increases the risk of reherniation, chronic pain, and further lower back problems.

Incomplete healing also impacts the surrounding spinal structures, including ligaments, muscles, and facet joints. These supporting tissues often compensate for the weak disc, which can alter your movement patterns and place uneven pressure on the spine. Over time, this extra strain may lead to inflammation, stiffness, and even degeneration of nearby discs. By addressing these weaknesses with targeted strengthening exercises, you can restore spinal stability and significantly reduce the risk of future injuries.

How Does Core Weakness Affect Disc Health?

Core weakness reduces spinal support, which forces your intervertebral discs to handle more pressure than they should. This uneven loading increases the risk of disc damage, herniation, and long-term pain. Weak core muscles also contribute to poor posture, which places continuous strain on your spine and further affects disc health.

Additionally, a weak core can slow recovery after a disc injury. Reduced core strength can limit blood flow and nutrient delivery to the spinal region, which delays healing and tissue repair. Over time, this may lead to chronic inflammation, reduced disc hydration, and a higher risk of degeneration.

Therefore, strengthening your core supports both spinal stability and long-term disc health. In fact, research published in Physio-Pedia shows that individuals with lumbar disc herniation who follow a structured core stability program experience significant improvements in pain, function, and trunk muscle endurance within weeks. These exercises promote spinal support, reduce abnormal loading on the discs, and improve posture, which helps prevent further disc stress.

How Do Doctors Confirm Recurrent Disc Herniation?

At Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, MD, carefully reviews your medical history and examines recurring symptoms such as lower back pain, sciatica, numbness, or weakness. Then, he performs a thorough physical examination to assess nerve involvement and locate the affected areas. To determine the exact cause, he often uses advanced imaging, which clearly differentiates new disc material from postoperative scar tissue.

Here are some of the diagnostic methods Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik may use to confirm a recurrent disc herniation:

• X-rays: To assess spinal alignment, bone health, and degenerative changes in the vertebrae
• Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies: Assess nerve function and identify any nerve compression or irritation caused by the herniated disc.
• Myelography: In some cases, a dye is injected into the spinal canal to show nerve compression when MRI results are unclear.
• Ultrasound imaging: Assesses surrounding soft tissues and muscle health when needed.
• Functional movement assessment: Observes your bending, twisting, and posture to identify disc stress patterns.

After these tests, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik uses additional methods to confirm the source of your pain for proper diagnosis. He uses pain-provocation tests that involve controlled movements to reproduce your symptoms, helping locate the affected disc. He also reviews postoperative comparison imaging to assess changes over time and determine whether a herniation has returned. In some cases, selective spinal injections, like nerve blocks or epidural injections, are used to identify the exact nerve or disc causing pain, ensuring an accurate and targeted treatment plan. Contact us at 855-321-6784 today to book your consultation.

Is Traction Effective for a Repeat Disc Injury?

Yes, traction can be an effective non-surgical treatment for repeat disc injuries, particularly as a short-term solution. It reduces pressure on compressed spinal nerves, relieving pain and improving mobility. When combined with targeted strengthening exercises, traction supports the healing of herniated or bulging discs and helps prevent further strain.

According to a study published in PubMed, many individuals with lumbar disc herniation experience significant short-term relief from pain and improved function when treated with lumbar traction. The analysis, which included seven randomized controlled trials with a total of 403 patients, found that traction led to a moderate reduction in pain (Standardized Mean Difference = 0.44) and improved functional outcomes (SMD = 0.42). However, the study noted that these benefits are generally short-lived, and traction did not show significant long-term effects on pain or function.

Do Steroid Injections Help Disc Reherniation?

Yes, steroid injections can effectively reduce pain from a recurrent disc herniation by targeting inflammation around irritated nerves. While they do not repair the disc itself, these injections provide significant temporary relief, allowing you to move more comfortably. This improvement makes it easier to perform core-strengthening exercises, enhances back stability, and helps maintain daily function.

In certain cases, repeated injections on a controlled schedule can delay or even reduce the need for surgical intervention, which makes them a practical option for managing recurring herniation while minimizing overall risk. According to a study published in PubMed, epidural steroid injections provided significant relief for individuals with lumbar disc herniation causing sciatica. Patients reported noticeable reductions in pain within three months, with continued improvement at six months, compared with those who did not receive injections. Pain scores on standard scales such as the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) improved by 0.44 at three months and 0.66 at six months, showing clear short- to medium-term benefits.

However, the study also noted that these effects do not last long-term, with no significant pain relief observed at 12 months. This indicates that steroid injections are primarily useful as a temporary method to reduce inflammation and improve mobility, rather than a permanent solution for disc reherniation.

When Do Recurring Disc Injuries Require Advanced Treatment?

If conservative care, such as rest, gentle exercises, or medication, does not ease your pain, your recurring disc injuries may need advanced treatment. You should also seek medical attention promptly, especially if your symptoms are severe, worsening, or include numbness, leg weakness, or difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels.

In addition, you may need advanced treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Limited mobility: Difficulty bending, walking, or performing daily activities despite ongoing care.
• Spinal instability: Feeling that your back is “giving way” or is unable to support normal movement.
• Structural problems detected on imaging: MRI or CT scans showing herniation, nerve compression, or disc degeneration in certain areas that may require surgical intervention.
• High-risk health factors: Conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, or previous spinal surgery that increase the risk of complications.

In such cases, our doctor, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, MD, may recommend advanced treatments such as ADR for athletes to restore spinal function and support long-term recovery. He also guides you through targeted exercise programs that strengthen your spine, improve flexibility, and reduce the risk of reinjury, helping you return to peak performance safely.

Can Bracing Support Recovery from a Recurrent Disc Injury?

Yes, bracing can support your recovery from a recurrent lower back injury by stabilizing your spine and limiting movements that worsen pain, such as twisting or bending. It also reduces pressure on injured discs and eases nerve irritation, allowing you to perform daily activities more comfortably.

Beyond providing support, bracing can help manage recovery more effectively while reducing reliance on pain medications. Certain braces also improve blood circulation and help lower inflammation around the affected disc, which may promote faster healing and support long-term spine health.

How Can Volleyball Players Reduce the Risk of Disc Injury?

You should strengthen your core and back muscles and maintain correct form during spikes and serves to avoid excessive spinal arching. You should also practice proper landing mechanics with bent knees, follow consistent dynamic warm-ups, and allow enough rest between high-intensity sessions. These habits protect your spine and reduce strain during both practice and matches.

To further protect your spine from over-rotation and prevent disc injuries, follow these key strategies:

• Improve flexibility: Stretch your hips, hamstrings, and lower back to allow smooth movement and reduce strain.
• Use supportive footwear: Shoes with good cushioning absorb impact during jumps and quick movements.
• Listen to your body: Stop or modify training if you feel persistent back discomfort.
• Incorporate low-impact cross-training: Swimming or cycling strengthens muscles without overloading the spine.
• Seek professional guidance: Work with a coach or physiotherapist for personalized training and injury prevention strategies.

Visit Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik to Treat the Underlying Cause of Recurrent Disc Herniation!

Repetitive jumping, twisting, and sudden spinal movements during volleyball place constant strain on your discs, leading to recurring injuries that cause shooting pain. This ongoing stress also impairs your athletic performance and interferes with daily activities, making even routine movements difficult.

At Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik addresses the root cause of recurring disc herniation. By using advanced diagnostic tools and surgical techniques such as disc replacement, he effectively restores spinal function and reduces pain. Moreover, we also accept most insurance plans and offer clear self-pay pricing with flexible payment options to make your treatment convenient. Call 855-321-6784 or visit 1111 Park Ave, #1, NY 10128 for significant relief.

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