Intervertebral disc disorder
Encyclopedia
A intervertebral disc disorder is a condition that involves deterioration, herniation, or other dysfunction of an intervertebral disc
.
As people age, the nucleus pulposus
begins to dehydrate, which limits its ability to transfer and distribute loads between the vertebrae. These loads are instead transferred non-uniformly through the annulus fibrosus
, which undergoes progressive, structural deterioration. While this may not cause pain in some people, in others one or both of these may cause chronic pain.
Pain due to the inability of the dehydrating nucleus pulposus to absorb shock is called axial pain or disc space pain. One generally refers to the gradual dehydration of the nucleus pulposus as degenerative disc disease
.
When the annulus fibrosus tears due to an injury or the aging process, the nucleus pulposus can begin to extrude through the tear. This is called disc herniation
. Near the posterior side of each disc, all along the spine, major spinal nerves extend out to different organs, tissues, extremities etc. It is very common for the herniated disc to press against these nerves (pinched nerve) causing radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and diminished strength and/or range of motion. In addition, the contact of the inner nuclear gel, which contains inflammatory proteins, with a nerve can also cause significant pain. Nerve-related pain is called radicular pain
.
Herniated discs
go by many names and these can mean different things to different medical professionals. A slipped disc, ruptured disc, or a bulging disc can all refer to the same medical condition.
Protrusions of the disc into the adjacent vertebra are known as Schmorl's nodes
.
Intervertebral disc
Intervertebral discs lie between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Each disc forms a cartilaginous joint to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, and acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together.-Structure:...
.
As people age, the nucleus pulposus
Nucleus pulposus
Nucleus pulposus is the jelly-like substance in the middle of the spinal disc. It is the remnant of the notochord . It functions to distribute hydraulic pressure in all directions within each disc under compressive loads. The nucleus pulposus consists of chondrocyte-like cells, collagen fibrils,...
begins to dehydrate, which limits its ability to transfer and distribute loads between the vertebrae. These loads are instead transferred non-uniformly through the annulus fibrosus
Annulus fibrosus disci intervertebralis
Each intervertebral fibrocartilage is composed, at its circumference, of laminæ of fibrous tissue and fibrocartilage, forming the annulus fibrosus.-Spelling notes:...
, which undergoes progressive, structural deterioration. While this may not cause pain in some people, in others one or both of these may cause chronic pain.
Pain due to the inability of the dehydrating nucleus pulposus to absorb shock is called axial pain or disc space pain. One generally refers to the gradual dehydration of the nucleus pulposus as degenerative disc disease
Degenerative disc disease
Degeneration of the intervertebral disc, often called "degenerative disc disease" of the spine, is a condition that can be painful and can greatly affect the quality of one's life...
.
When the annulus fibrosus tears due to an injury or the aging process, the nucleus pulposus can begin to extrude through the tear. This is called disc herniation
Spinal disc herniation
A spinal disc herniation , informally and misleadingly called a "slipped disc", is a medical condition affecting the spine due to trauma, lifting injuries, or idiopathic, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion A spinal disc herniation...
. Near the posterior side of each disc, all along the spine, major spinal nerves extend out to different organs, tissues, extremities etc. It is very common for the herniated disc to press against these nerves (pinched nerve) causing radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and diminished strength and/or range of motion. In addition, the contact of the inner nuclear gel, which contains inflammatory proteins, with a nerve can also cause significant pain. Nerve-related pain is called radicular pain
Radicular pain
Radicular pain, or radiculitis, is pain "radiated" along the dermatome of a nerve due to inflammation or other irritation of the nerve root at its connection to the spinal column...
.
Herniated discs
Spinal disc herniation
A spinal disc herniation , informally and misleadingly called a "slipped disc", is a medical condition affecting the spine due to trauma, lifting injuries, or idiopathic, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion A spinal disc herniation...
go by many names and these can mean different things to different medical professionals. A slipped disc, ruptured disc, or a bulging disc can all refer to the same medical condition.
Protrusions of the disc into the adjacent vertebra are known as Schmorl's nodes
Schmorl's nodes
Schmorl's nodes or Schmorl's nodules are protrusions of the cartilage of the intervertebral disc through the vertebral body endplate and into the adjacent vertebra.-Presentation:...
.