The intervertebral discs are a kind of buffer cushion between the vertebrae of the spine. As a result of age, wear and tear and stress, e.g. excess weight, the cushion wears away and slowly degenerates. This process is known as intervertebral disc degeneration.
Here you will find further information as well as selected specialists and centers for intervertebral disc degeneration.
The intervertebral discs lie like a kind of buffer cushion between the vertebrae of the spine. Among other things, they cushion the impact effects that stress the spine on a daily basis.
Inside, the intervertebral discs contain a gelatinous core that loses moisture and elasticity over the decades. This process of wear and tear is known as intervertebral disc degeneration. The intervertebral discs in the cervical spine (cervical spine) and lumbar spine (lumbar spine) wear out particularly often.
In most cases, only symptomatic pain treatment remains, but in some cases surgery may be necessary.
Natural ageing is the main cause of intervertebral disc degeneration. With increasing age, the intervertebral discs lose their ability to store water. This causes them to lose elasticity and flatten out. This can also lead to cracks in the intervertebral disc.
However, various risk factors can also promote the process of intervertebral disc degeneration, such as
Permanent pressure on the spine, for example when lifting loads or carrying heavy objects incorrectly, is also harmful.
In most cases, disc degeneration progresses gradually, so that no symptoms appear at first. Depending on the location and extent of the disc degeneration, very different symptoms can occur as it progresses.
In most cases, disc degeneration causes pain that can radiate to the abdomen or chest. In addition, pain often occurs when coughing, sneezing or pressing.
A very common form of disc degeneration is a herniated disc. In this case, part of the gelatinous nucleus of an intervertebral disc protrudes from the space between the discs and presses on the nerve roots. Doctors refer to this as protrusion, a bulging of the disc in question.
In addition to pain, this can also lead to mood swings. The patient often adopts a relieving posture due to the pain. This can lead to restricted movement and incorrect loading, which in turn can damage other joints.
Depending on the extent of the disc degeneration, nerves and blood vessels may be affected. This can lead to
can occur.
A herniated lumbar disc is a possible consequence of disc degeneration © Henrie | AdobeStock
The pain history is usually followed by a physical examination by an orthopaedist. In the case of sensory disorders, it may be necessary to consult a neurologist.
If a herniated disc is suspected, for example, imaging will be necessary. The vertebral body structure is visible in the X-ray image. The physician can indirectly recognize changes in the intervertebral discs based on the distances between the vertebrae.
Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) makes the soft tissue parts of the intervertebral disc degeneration visible. This includes, for example, the disc itself, adjacent nerves and blood vessels as well as a detailed representation of the spinal canal.
Damage to the intervertebral discs cannot be repaired conventionally. Therefore, the treatment of disc degeneration is limited to pain therapy.
However, this is by no means just a matter of taking painkillers. Pain therapy is intended to prevent the progression of the disease with the help of simultaneous behavioral changes as well as physiotherapeutic support and physiotherapy.
However, this conventional treatment cannot always alleviate the symptoms. In this case, and if the pain becomes chronic, disc surgery is an option. However, surgery is always the last step if nothing else helps.
Spinal surgery is also necessary for lumbar disc herniation (prolapse), which mainly occurs at a younger age - between 30 and 50.
Surgery then offers two different ways of treating the symptoms:
The main purpose of a disc prosthesis is to prevent stiffening of the spine. This allows the patient to retain a certain degree of mobility.
Nowadays, disc replacement surgery can be performed in a minimally invasive way, so that no large incisions are necessary.
During the procedure, an artificial disc is inserted in place of the body's own disc. Its material properties mimic the function of the natural disc. This means that the natural mobility cannot be fully restored.
Without a change in behavior, there is also a residual risk that
Theadvantages of microsurgery for disc replacement include
Thedisadvantage is that the patient has to take infection and thrombosis prophylaxis for some time after the operation. This serves to prevent complications caused by pathogens or circulatory disorders.
Surgery in advanced cases cannot restore the natural mobility of the spine, even with disc replacement. However, it can improve the quality of life of patients with chronic back pain caused by disc degeneration.
In 75-90% of cases, the operation reduces or even eliminates symptoms.
Make sure you maintain your normal weight. This helps to prevent disc damage or can slow down existing disc degeneration. Excess weight and lack of exercise, on the other hand, promote disc degeneration.
In addition, gentle sports such as
are suitable for becoming a little more active again and relieving the back of some of its everyday stresses.
An orthopaedist is the right person to contact for the treatment of disc degeneration.
A neurologist can also be consulted in the event of pronounced disc wear, a slipped disc or impaired nerves and blood vessels.
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