Intervertebral disc disease is a condition that causes pain in the back, neck, legs, and arms. Intervertebral discs cushion the spine and absorb pressure.
If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following symptoms outlined in this article, it’s time to get a FREE Consultation and MRI Review with Deuk Spine Institute. We will help relieve your pain and get you back to living your life without limitations!
Intervertebral disc disease is most common in the lower lumbar area of the spine. However, disc degeneration can occur in any part of the spine. Intervertebral disc disease can lead to chronic or intermittent pain in the neck or back depending on where the discs are located. The pain is often more severe when you are sitting, bent, twisting, lifting, or bending.
Herniated discs can cause out-pouching (herniation) and the protruding disc could press against one of the spinal nerves, which run from the spinal cord to other parts of the body. This can cause pain, weakness, and numbness, as well as weakness and pain in the legs and back. Sciatica, a form of nerve pain caused by herniated discs, is often experienced from the lower back to the length of each leg.
Small bony spurs may develop at the edges or ends of affected vertebrae when a disc becomes degenerate. These bone spurs can pinch or compress the spinal nerves and cause weakness or numbness in the arms or legs. The spinal cord can be compressed by bone spurs, which can cause problems in walking, bladder control, and bladder control. A degenerative disc can eventually break down and become completely impermeable between the vertebrae. This can lead to impaired movement, nerve damage, and pain.
About 5 percent of people in developed countries are affected by intervertebral disc disease each year. Most people experience disc degeneration with age. However, the severity and pain that it causes can vary.
A combination of genetic and environmental factors can cause intervertebral disc disease. While some of these factors have been identified and are now known, many others remain unknown. Researchers have discovered variations in many genes that could influence the risk of developing intervertebral disc disease. Most commonly, genes are responsible for making collagens. Collagens are a group of proteins that support connective tissue, including skin, bone, and cartilage. Collagens are a network made up of fibers that provide structure and stability to intervertebral discs. Certain variations in collagen genes may increase the risk of intervertebral disc disease. They impair the ability of collagens to interact with one another, which can lead to disc degeneration.
Intervertebral disc disease can also be caused by normal variations in genes. These genes are responsible for triggering the immune response to a foreign invader, such as viruses. These gene variants may cause an immune response that causes inflammation and water loss (dehydration), which can lead to disc degeneration.
Intervertebral disc disease can also be caused by genetic variants that affect the development and maintenance of intervertebral vertebrae and discs. These variants can cause disc degeneration or herniation. Researchers are currently trying to confirm and identify other genetic variants that could increase the risk of intervertebral disc disease.
Researchers are also studying non-genetic factors that may increase the risk of intervertebral disc disease. These include smoking, aging, obesity, chronic inflammation, and driving for long periods (e.g., long-haul trucker and taxi drivers).
Although intervertebral disc disease can be passed from one generation to another, the exact inheritance pattern is not known. Intervertebral disc disease is more common in those who have a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling. Although intervertebral disc disease can be passed down from one generation to another, some individuals may inherit the gene variation. Intervertebral disc diseases can be caused by a variety of genes. Not everyone with the condition will have the same gene variation.
Intervertebral discs (or discs) lie between adjacent vertebrae. They link the vertebral bodies together by creating a fibrocartilaginous joint. The discs collectively make up between one-third and one-quarter of the total spine column’s height. They act as an interpose between adjacent vertebrae, from the axis C2 to the sacrum.
There are approximately 23 discs in the spine: 6 cervical and 12 thoracics. 5 are in the Lumbar Region. The intervertebral discs are between 7-10mm thick and approximately 4 cm in diameter (anterior-posterior plane) in the lumbar area of the spine. It is composed of a thick outer ring made of fibrous cartilage, called the annulus (derived from the Latin word “anus”, meaning “ring”) and an inner gel-like core or more gelatinous center known as the nucleus pulposus (“meaning “pulpy inside”) The cartilage endplates sandwich the nucleus pulposus inferiorly and superiorly.
The 5th week is when the intervertebral disc develops. Mesenchymal cells form the intervertebral disc (IV). They migrate cranially from the myotomes. The notochord becomes less and less important as the development proceeds. The notochord between the vertebrae expands to create the gelatinous center of the intervertebral disc – the Nucleus Pulposus. Later, the nucleus is surrounded by circularly-arranged fibers which form the annum fibrosus. The intervertebral disc is made up of the annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, and nucleus pulposus.
An annulus is composed of 15-25 concentric rings or lamellae with collagen fibers running parallel to each lamella. The fibers are oriented approximately 60 degrees to the vertical, with the fibers alternating to the right and left in adjacent lamellae. The Elastin fibers are located between the lamellae. This may help the disc return to its original configuration after flexion or extension. The cells are long, thin, and parallel to the collagen fibers. The cells become oval towards the inner annulus. The annulus is stiff and provides greater strength to the disc. It also resists compression force.
The central nucleus pulposus is composed of collagen fibers that are randomly arranged and elastic fibers that are arranged radially. These fibers are embedded within a gel containing highly hydrated aggrecan.
The intervertebral disc’s third distinct morphologically is the endplate. It is a thin horizontal layer usually less than 1mm thick. This structure connects the disc to the vertebral bodies. The Collagen fibers inside it run horizontally parallel to the vertebral body and become continuous with the disc.
Like other cartilage, the intervertebral discs have no blood supply. Without their own blood vessels, they form the largest structures of the body. They have a vascular supply during embryonic development and birth. This supply terminates in their endplates or annulus fibrosus. These blood vessels rapidly deteriorate, leaving them without a direct blood supply in postnatal life or adulthood. They absorb the nutrients they need from the bloodstream via osmosis.
The sino-vertebral and intervertebral nerves innervate the intervertebral disc. The nerve fibers are restricted to the endplate’s outer lamellae.
The Deuk Spine Institute encourages and welcomes you to contact us today regarding any questions or concerns you may have about your current situation…
If you or someone you love is experiencing any of the preceding symptoms outlined in this article, it’s time to get a FREE Consultation and MRI Review with the Deuk Spine Institute. We can help relieve your pain and get you back to living life without limitations!
