Degenerative spine conditions come in many forms, but all have at least one thing in common: They occur as a result of the gradual deterioration of one or more of the spine’s anatomical components. This deterioration typically occurs as a result of the natural aging process, though certain risk factors – including obesity, participation in high-impact sports, and smoking tobacco – can exacerbate the gradual breakdown of the spine. Before we review some of the more common degenerative spine conditions, it may prove most beneficial to first discuss the spine’s anatomical components.

Anatomical Components of the Spine

The spine’s various components play unique roles in supporting body weight and facilitating the movement of the neck and back. Continued use can eventually take its toll on the spine, causing many of its anatomical components to gradually break down. Some of the spinal components that are most commonly affected by degenerative changes include:

Facet joints – Adjacent vertebrae (the bony structures that house and protect the spinal cord) are connected to one another with facet joints, which allow the neck and back to articulate.

Intervertebral discs – Discs are pad-like structures that are seated between adjacent vertebrae, act as shock absorbers, and prevent the vertebrae from grinding against one another.

Degenerative Spine Conditions that Affect the Facet Joints & Intervertebral Discs

A number of spinal conditions are caused by the degeneration of the facet joints or intervertebral discs, including:

Spinal arthritis and osteophytes – Like the body’s other joints, the facet joints are prone to becoming arthritic over time as their cartilaginous lining wears away. Without the lubrication provided by the now devoid cartilage, the bones of the facet joints can begin to grind against one another, causing pain and inflammation. To mitigate this discomfort and the bone-on-bone contact that causes it, the body can form bony protrusions (called osteophytes) in an effort to stabilize the affected joints. Unfortunately, this can sometimes cause more harm than good because the osteophytes can invade the spinal canal and cause compression of the spinal cord, nerve roots, or spinal nerves.

Herniated discs – Over time, a disc’s outer shell (the annulus fibrosus) can become dry and brittle. This makes it susceptible to tearing which, in turn, can aggravate the tiny nerves that traverse its outer layers. A tear in the annulus fibrosus can also allow a disc’s inner contents (the nucleus pulposus) to escape, which is referred to as a herniated disc. The nucleus pulposus contains enzymes that can significantly aggravate the nerves in the annulus fibrosus, causing localized pain and inflammation. Extruded inner disc material can also invade the spinal canal, causing compression of the spinal cord, nerve roots, or spinal nerves.

Bulging discs – A bulging disc occurs when the annulus fibrosus weakens, allowing the nucleus pulposus to shift out of place. Unlike a herniated disc, however, the nucleus pulposus remains contained within the annulus fibrosus. The misshapen disc can invade the spinal canal and cause compression of the spinal cord, nerve roots, or spinal nerves.

Symptoms of Degenerative Spine Conditions

Many degenerative spine conditions share the same symptoms despite the fact that different spinal components are affected. That’s because – in most cases – symptoms only arise when the condition has caused neural compression. When the spinal nerves or nerve roots are compressed, patients may experience symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. If the compression occurs in the neck (cervical spine) the patient can experience symptoms in his or her head, neck, upper back, shoulders, and/or arms; compression in the lower back (lumbar spine) can lead to discomfort in the lower back, hips, buttocks, and/or legs.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for several degenerative spine conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for several degenerative spine conditions. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/degenerative_spine/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for several degenerative spine conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: degenerative spine conditions