Degenerative Disc

Risk Factors Physiological Disease

Changes
Ashley Dean
Age Injury Daily Sports Blood vessels from vertebral body Aging cells lose their RNSG1263
Activities ability to proliferate

Capillary network that

penetrates the subchondral plate Alters the aggrecan and
collagen metabolism

Poor diffusion of nutrients

across the cartilage endplate Keratin sulfate to chondroitin
sulfate ratio increases

Change in distribution
& type of collagen Water content of the extracellular
matrix is decreased

Disc is less able to maintain

hydration under load

Disc bulges under load

Impaired healing response

Structural damage

Abnormal motion

Nerve damage

Muscle spasms Degenerative

Lumbar Spine
Numbness or Disease
weakness in legs Spinal stenosis

Intermittent acute Loss of urinary or

low back pain bowel continence

Low back pain Disabling Chronic Pain

Manifestations Complications