Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is a weakening of one or more vertebral discs, which normally act as a cushion between the vertebrae. It typically begins when small tears appear in the disc wall, called the annulus. These tears can cause pain. When the tears heal, they create scar tissue that is not as strong as the original disc wall. If the back is repeatedly injured, the process of tearing and scarring may continue, weakening the disc wall. Over time, the nucleus (or center) of the disc becomes damaged and loses some of its water content. This center is called the pulposus, and its water content is needed to keep the disc functioning as a shock absorber for the spine. When the disc is unable to act as a cushion, the nucleus collapses. As a result, the vertebrae above and below this damaged disc collapse or slide closer together. This improper alignment causes the facet joints (the areas where the vertebral bones touch) to twist into an unnatural position. In time, this awkward positioning of the vertebrae may create bone spurs. If these spurs grow into the spinal canal, they may pinch the spinal cord and nerves (a condition called spinal stenosis). Consequently, the spine may be painful, and the entrapment of the nerves may result in shooting pain and/or weakness of the extremities.
At a Glance
Dr. Hieu Ball
- Double fellowship-trained orthopedic
- Orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard Medical School
- Over 20 years of spine surgery experience
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