Review
Degeneration of the intervertebral disc
Author affiliations
1 University Laboratory of Physiology, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
2 Centre for Spinal Studies, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire, and Keele University, Keele, UK
Citation and License
Arthritis Res Ther 2003, 5:120-130 doi:10.1186/ar629
Published: 11 March 2003Abstract
The intervertebral disc is a cartilaginous structure that resembles articular cartilage in its biochemistry, but morphologically it is clearly different. It shows degenerative and ageing changes earlier than does any other connective tissue in the body. It is believed to be important clinically because there is an association of disc degeneration with back pain. Current treatments are predominantly conservative or, less commonly, surgical; in many cases there is no clear diagnosis and therapy is considered inadequate. New developments, such as genetic and biological approaches, may allow better diagnosis and treatments in the future.
