Back to Journals » Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine » Volume 1

Update on the pathophysiology of degenerative disc disease and new developments in treatment strategies

Authors Hsieh A, Yoon S

Published 14 October 2010 Volume 2010:1 Pages 191—199

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJSM.S9057

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Adam H Hsieh1,2 , S Tim Yoon3

1Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA; 2Department of Orthopedics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA; 3Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Emory University, Chief of Orthopedic Surgery, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA

Abstract: Degenerative disc disease (DDD) continues to be a prevalent condition that afflicts populations on a global scale. The economic impact and decreased quality of life primarily stem from back pain and neurological deficits associated with intervertebral disc degeneration. Although much effort has been invested into understanding the etiology of DDD and its relationship to the onset of back pain, this endeavor is a work in progress. The purpose of this review is to provide focused discussion on several areas in which recent advances have been made. Specifically, we have categorized these advances into early, middle, and late phases of age-related or degenerative changes in the disc and into promising minimally invasive treatments, which aim to restore mechanical and biological functions to the disc.

Keywords: degenerative disc disease, quality of life, intervertebral, aging

Creative Commons License © 2010 The Author(s). This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.