Adams MA, et al.

J Anat. 2012 Dec;221(6):497-506. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2012.01551.x. Epub 2012 Aug 12.

Affiliation
Centre for Comparative and Clinical Anatomy, University of Bristol, UK. M.A.Adams@bris.ac.uk

Abstract
We review the evidence that there are two types of disc degeneration. ‘Endplate-driven’ disc degeneration involves endplate defects and inwards collapse of the annulus, has a high heritability, mostly affects discs in the upper lumbar and thoracic spine, often starts to develop before age 30 years, usually leads to moderate back pain, and is associated with compressive injuries such as a fall on the buttocks. ‘Annulus-driven’ disc degeneration involves a radial fissure and/or a disc prolapse, has a low heritability, mostly affects discs in the lower lumbar spine, develops progressively after age 30 years, usually leads to severe back pain and sciatica, and is associated with repetitive bending and lifting. The structural defects which initiate the two processes both act to decompress the disc nucleus, making it less likely that the other defect could occur subsequently, and in this sense the two disc degeneration phenotypes can be viewed as distinct.

© 2012 The Authors. Journal of Anatomy © 2012 Anatomical Society.
PMID 22881295 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
Abstract: Blackwell Publishing
PubMed Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22881295/