Pathomechanisms, Pathophysiology and Biomechanics of Degenerative Spine Disease: A Review of Literature

Abstract

The intervertebral disc in human being is a complex structure and is made up of fibrous and cartilaginous tissues. It is characterized as tension-resisting structure while it allows limited range of motion in axial, bending or rotational posture. Degenerative process of this structure present with clinical morbidity to the patients and possess great challenges to the clinicians while offering care for disc’s pathology. Degeneration begins with imbalance of homeostasis maintained by content of nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus. Numerous factors; genetic, mechanical and nutritional, can initiate and or accelerate this degeneration process which ultimately alter the biomechanics of the spine. The aim of this review is to give an overview on the degeneration process, causes and factors influencing disc degeneration, the mechanisms of degeneration and the changes resulted from intervertebral disc degeneration.