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. 2009 Jun;3(1):39-44.
doi: 10.4184/asj.2009.3.1.39. Epub 2009 Jun 30.

Pathophysiology of degenerative disc disease

Yong-Soo Choi  1
Affiliations

Pathophysiology of degenerative disc disease

Yong-Soo Choi. Asian Spine J. 2009 Jun.

Abstract

The intervertebral disc is characterized by a tension-resisting annulus fibrosus and a compression-resisting nucleus pulposus composed largely of proteoglycan. The most important function of the annulus and nucleus is to provide mechanical stability to the disc. Degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine is a serious health problem. Although the three joint complex model of the degenerative process is widely accepted, the etiological basis of this degeneration is poorly understood. With the recent progress in molecular biology and modern biological techniques, there has been dramatic improvement in the understanding of aging and degenerative changes of the disc. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of the disc degeneration can help in the appropriate choice of treatment and to develop tissue engineering for biological restoration of degenerated discs.

Keywords: Degenerative disc; Lumbar spine; Pathophysiology.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Illustration of the assemblies of matrix proteins into structures in the intervertebral disc.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Factors influencing disc cell turnover.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The spectrum of pathogenesis of the degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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