Disc Herniations - Pathogenesis and Complications

• 90% of Lumbar disc herniations happen at L4/5 and L5/S1

• 60% of cervical disc herniations happen at C6/7



Aging ->Degeneration of hydrophilic proteoglycans in the nucleus pulposus of the vertebral disc

-> Disc less able to take up water (dehydration) decr shock-absorbing capacity

-> Mechanical loading compresses/tears the annulus fibrosis

-> Nucleus pulposus extrudes out through these tears 

-> Disc rupture/herniation!



#DiscHerniations #complications #msk #pathophysiology