Intervertebral Disc
Disorders Associated with Disc Disease
Disc disease refers to an acquired abnormality of the disc which can occur in many forms. The most common form of disc disease is the degenerative disc which is may be associated with a disc bulge or protrusion. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is characterized by a loss of water content in the disc, a loss of vertical disc height, stiffening of the disc and risk for develop a loss of integrity of the disc leading to herniation. There are other forms of disc disease which include the herniated disc and the infected disc (discitis).
There are many disorders that are associated with disc disease. These disorders include pain, spinal cord compression, spinal nerve compromise, spinal joint arthritis and abnormal spinal segment movement (segmental dysfunction). The loss of disc volume secondary to degenerative disc disease leads to approximation of the spinal joints (facets) and increased risk for excessive “wear and tear� on the joints.
There are many disorders that are associated with disc disease. These disorders include pain, spinal cord compression, spinal nerve compromise, spinal joint arthritis and abnormal spinal segment movement (segmental dysfunction). The loss of disc volume secondary to degenerative disc disease leads to approximation of the spinal joints (facets) and increased risk for excessive “wear and tear� on the joints.