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Injury Definitions
Intervertebral Disk
Injuries
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The disk is situated between the vertebrae
that make up the spine. The disks allow the
spine to flex, extend and rotate, and provide
a degree of shock absorption in the torso.
The intervertebral disks are a prevalent
source of lower back pain as they are one of
the most frequently injured spinal
structures. The structure of the spinal disk
resembles a jelly filled doughnut. The inner
aspect of the disk contains a gel-like
substance called the nucleus polposus.
Surrounding the nucleus are tough
fibrocartilagenous fibers called the annulus
fibrosus. |
There
are 3 main types of disk injuries. In the first type of
disk injury, referred to as a disk bulge or protrusion,
the inner nucleus loses hydration. This results in
bulging of the disk much like a tire bulges when it
contains inadequate amounts of air. The nearby spinal
nerves may become impinged from the bulging or
protruding disk, or the spinal cord itself could be
compressed.
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disk injury consists of annular fiber tears
which do not extend to the outer aspects of
the disk. Thus, the inner nuclear material is
prevented from completely escaping the disk.
The third type of
disk injury, commonly referred to as a disk
herniation, consists of annular tears which
run from the innermost aspects of the annulus
(where the nucleus is) to the outermost
aspects of the annulus. In this type of
injury, the pressurized nuclear material can
squeeze through the tears in the annulus and
escape to the outside of the disk. When this
occurs, the nuclear material may come in
contact with nearby spinal nerves and even
the sac that contains the spinal cord.
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Treatment for disk injuries
include passive physical therapy (hot packs, ultrasound,
cold packs), active physical therapy range of motion
exercises, stretching, strength conditioning), medicine
(pain medication, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants),
epidural steroid injections, a variety of surgical
procedures, and TENS unit (transcutaneous electro-nerve
stimulator), which sends electrical impulses to block pain
signals.
Intervertebral disk injuries can cause
considerable pain and disability.
For related information go
to: Back
Injuries,
Chronic Pain Syndrome,
Footdrop, Neck Injuries,
Nerve Injuries,
Pain, and
Radiculopathy.
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