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Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a medical condition typically brought on by the aging process in which there are anatomic changes and possibly a loss of function of one or more intervertebral discs of the spine. [1] DDD can take place with or without symptoms, but is typically identified once symptoms arise.
Forward displacement of a proximal vertebra in relation to its adjacent vertebra in association with an intact neural arch, and in the presence of degenerative changes, is known as degenerative spondylolisthesis, [9] [10] which narrows the spinal canal, and symptoms of spinal stenosis are common. Of these, neural claudication is most common.
The last decade of studies on Modic changes have shown that Modic changes are associated with many treatment-resistant pain episodes and may result in patients entering a state of chronic low back pain. On average, individuals with Modic changes have had chronic pain for longer than individuals suffering from non-Modic changes back pain. [9] [10]
In a study of 146 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (mean age, 68 years, 42% women) who did not undergo surgery, followed up for 3 years, the study reported that approximately one-third of participants indicated improvement; approximately 50% reported no change in symptoms; and approximately 10% to 20% of patients condition worsened. [41]
Degenerative disc disease occurs over time when the discs within each vertebra in the neck begin to fall apart and begin to disintegrate. Because each vertebra can cause pain in different areas of the body, the pain from the disease can be sensed in the back, leg, neck area, or even the arms.
The degenerative process in osteoarthritis chiefly affects the vertebral bodies, the neural foramina and the facet joints (facet syndrome). If severe, it may cause pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots with subsequent sensory or motor disturbances, such as pain , paresthesia , imbalance , and muscle weakness in the limbs.
Lumbar disc disease is the drying out of the spongy interior matrix of an intervertebral disc in the spine. Many physicians and patients use the term lumbar disc disease to encompass several different causes of back pain or sciatica. In this article, the term is used to describe a lumbar herniated disc.
Sagittal CT of the lumbar spine showing Baastrup's sign. The salient feature of the disorder is the exuberant osteophytosis that occurs at posterior lumbar spinous processes. Osteophytes are coarse calcifications at the edges of bone that form due to repetitive stress and trauma.