Damaged intervertebral discs, the damaged disc. Therapy, Causes, Symptoms, diagnostic procedures

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Home Health Information Back & Spine Wear and Tear & Back Pain Damaged Discs

Damage to the intervertebral discs.

Throughout life discs wear out.

Imagine a moist bath sponge. If you press it hard then as soon as you let go it immediately returns to its former shape. It is elastic and flexible. Put a heavy stone on the sponge and let it dry in the sun, the sponge is a) pressed flat and stiff and b) no longer springs back into its original shape. It is hard, porous and its shape can no longer be changed. A similar thing happens to your intervertebral discs throughout life as with the sponge.

Damaged intervertebral discs are a phenomenon of wear and tear. The ageing process starts as soon as as a human being is able to walk. Even in 4 year olds age-related changes to the intervertebral discs can be detected.

Back pain from wear and tear.

If discs lose their elasticity, then painful signs of wear and tear develop in the individual vertebrae.

In our youth the discs bulge with fluid and act as excellent buffers between the spinal vertebrae. They divert pressure and protect the vertebral bones from wear and tear. Because of the intervertebral discs the vertebrae sit stably on each other and are held together as if by chewing gum. At the same time the vertebrae can move easily without rubbing painfully against each other.

Over time discs lose fluidity and elasticity. So when put under pressure they are pressed together more forcefully – and are no longer able to return to their original shape. Overall the discs lose height and like everything that dries out a disc too can develop slight cracks and become damaged. Those affected then complain about severe back pain.