Mendelian randomization is a method that approximates a randomized controlled trial, which uses genetic variation as an instrumental variable to test the causal relationship between exposure and outcome, and is widely used in epidemiology. Currently, Mendelian randomization has become a popular technique in medical field, especially in epidemiology etiology exploration research, and is widely used in medical etiology exploration, new drug development, and public health decision making. Mendelian randomization can overcome the bias caused by confounding factors and reverse causality and make the results more credible. The authors searched China Knowledge, Wanfang, Pubmed, and Medline for "Mendelian randomization", "disc degeneration", and "lumbar disc herniation". We searched for studies on Mendelian randomization in intervertebral disc degeneration in the past 10 years, and a total of 49 papers were searched, and after removing duplicates and reviews, a total of 26 papers were included in the literature for review and analysis, and we discussed the application of Mendelian randomization in intervertebral disc degeneration in terms of the causative relationship between osteoporosis, lifestyle, metabolism, physical condition, immune cells, and intervertebral disc degeneration, and also looks forward to the application of Mendelian randomization in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.