Did you know that a degenerating spinal disc can lead to a host of painful syndromes such as a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis?
In this video, I'm going to provide you with a succinct explanation of how a spinal disc disease problem can get worse over time. This is known as the degenerative cascade, and it is a complex process that occurs over several decades.
In the 1970s, the framework called the Degenerative Cascade was developed to explain how a spinal disc degenerates and becomes more painful. The degenerative cascade occurs in all spines, but may be accelerated by a number of factors, such as poor posture, repetitive strain and injury.
In general, there are three stages of disc degeneration. Prior to degeneration, the disc is well hydrated and spongy. It acts like a shock absorber providing cushioning in the spine while also supporting a wide range of flexible movements. Over the three stages of degeneration, the spine loses its elasticity, strength and sponginess and also becomes increasingly stiff and flat.
The first stage of the degenerative cascade is when the outer ring of the disc cracks and small tears grow. The outer ring is called the annulus fibrosus. With these small cracks and tears, the disc may become painful. The local area may become inflamed, and the inner core of the disc may leak out and put pressure on the nerve root. At the same time, the disc is undergoing these changes, the facet joints may become inflamed.
The second stage is one of relative instability in the spinal segment. The inner gel like material of the disc called the Nucleus pulposus, begins to protrude through the small outer tears. And as this inner gel leaks, the disc begins to stiffen and flatten. The facet joints become inflamed further, and their cartilage linings begin to fray.
Finally, in the third stage, spinal segment becomes more stable. Stability is increased as bone spurs, which are small bony growths, grow at the margins of the disc and the disc becomes flat and stable. The facet joints also develop bone spurs and create additional stability.
The process of disc degeneration is still not completely understood, and it can vary. When degeneration is causing pain, such as from degenerative diseases, disc herniation or facet inflammation, there are many actions you can take to reduce your pain and improve your function.
This video is for educational purposes only. Please always remember to work closely with your personal health care providers.
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