Pathophysiology and Treatment of Discogenic and Radicular Lower Back Pain

Linqiu Zhou Hannah P Leahy

doi:10.4172/2329-9096.1000e107

Abstract

Copyright: © 2014 Zhou L, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Highlights

When the annulus fibrosus tears, the normal hinge motion of the spine is altered. This typically manifests as an increase in the anterior and posterior micromotion of the spine, subsequently irritating the Pathophysiology of Lower Back Pain surrounding nerve roots or the regenerated nerve endings inducing further pain
Foraminal stenosis is one of the major causes of lumbar radiculopathy and chronic lower back pain. If these compensatory reactions fail to stabilize the spine, the patient may eventually develop spondylolisthesis. This segmental forward movement of the disc and facets stretches the nerve and may cause nerve damage often seen in chronic lumbar radiculopathy
These pathophysiologic changes are progressive with age or the disease itself. Pain induced by this degenerative process can limit a patient’s activity or exercise tolerance, which may result in weight gain and additional strain on the spine: a vicious cycle

Summary

Introduction

This typically manifests as an increase in the anterior and posterior micromotion of the spine, subsequently irritating the Pathophysiology of Lower Back Pain surrounding nerve roots or the regenerated nerve endings inducing further pain. Any additional movement of the vertebrae can increase shearing force to the disc segment, which can cause pressure to the Anatomy and function of the vertebral disc facet joint. Foraminal stenosis is one of the major causes of lumbar radiculopathy and chronic lower back pain.

Results

Conclusion