Back pain after lifting something heavy is more common than many people realise. While some discomfort fades in a day or two, certain injuries can cause lasting problems, such as annular tears and disc prolapse.
At Dr. Rami Hamed Center (DRHC) in Dubai, we meet many patients who are unsure why their back pain began or why it hasn’t gone away after weeks. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Understanding how lifting injuries affect the spine can help you protect your back and recover more effectively.
Your spine is made up of bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of one another, separated by intervertebral discs. These discs work like shock absorbers, allowing you to bend, twist, and move without pain.
Each disc has two parts:
When the annulus is damaged, it’s called an annular tear. If the inner gel pushes out through the tear, it’s known as a disc prolapse (sometimes called a “slipped” or “herniated” disc).
Improper lifting — especially when combined with sudden force or twisting — places intense pressure on the discs. Common risk factors include:
When this pressure is too great:
Annular tears and disc prolapse can cause different symptoms depending on their severity and location:
If you experience sudden severe pain after lifting, especially with leg weakness or bladder/bowel changes, seek immediate medical attention.
At Dr. Rami Hamed Center, we tailor treatment based on the severity of the injury:
We understand that the thought of surgery can feel overwhelming. If it’s needed, our team uses advanced techniques to make the procedure as safe, precise, and quick to recover from as possible.