Patients
An Introduction to Discogenic Chronic Low Back Pain
Chronic low back pain affects millions of people every year. The pain
can be caused by many different conditions and may originate from many
different structures in the back.
The intervertebral disc is one of the most common sources of chronic
low back pain. The intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers between
the bones of the human spine. Each disc consists of an outer ring,
called the annulus fibrosis, and an inner water-filled region called the
nucleus pulposus. The water-filled nucleus provides the weight bearing
function of the discs while the anulus functions as a retaining ring.
Trauma, genetic factors, or aging can damage and weaken the anulus.
Weakening of the anulus can result in collapse and dehydration of the
disc, a condition called Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). DDD can lead
to compression of nearby spinal nerves and result in painful instability
of the spine.
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In the early stages of disc degeneration, damage to the anulus can cause chronic low back pain without disc collapse and spinal nerve compression. Internal Disc Disruption (IDD) is a condition in which small cracks, or fissures, form in the anulus. These fissures create pathways for the degenerated nucleus material to leak onto nerves located in the outer edges of the anulus. In many cases the nucleus material leaks completely through the disc and onto the adjacent spinal nerves. The degenerated nucleus material contains high levels of inflammatory substances which cause a “chemical” pain when they come into contact with nerve fibers. Pain from IDD is mostly located in the lower back but may also travel down into the legs. The pain associated with IDD is referred to as “discogenic pain”, since it originates from the disc itself. Researchers have shown that approximately 40% of chronic low back is caused by IDD. In most instances, discogenic pain is treated with conservative therapies such as bed rest, physical therapy, and pain medications. When these treatments are no longer effective patients may undergo a surgical procedure, such a fusion or artificial disc replacement. There are no widely accepted, non-surgical therapies for discogenic chronic low back pain. Spinal Restoration has developed the
Biostat® Disc Augmentation System for use in a new, minimally invasive therapy for discogenic
chronic low back pain. To learn more about this developing therapy visit
our Products page. |
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| For more information on spinal disorders and the causes of low back pain visit the National Institute of Health website or Spine-health.com. | |
