The Intervertebral disc can be found in-between spinal vertebrae. Attaching to the vertebrae around the edges in a circular fashion, the outer part of the disc is circular and is called the annulus fibrosis. The central sphere of the disc is called the nucleus pulposus and interacts with the vertebral end plate of the superior and inferior vertebrae.

During youth the outer annulus fibrosis is well differentiated from the inner sphere of the nucleus pulposus. This means the boundary between the outer and the inner disc is easy to see. However over time, trauma, over use, imbalance, injury the boundary becomes blurred and the structures start to blend.

The first signs of poor disc health on imaging is a vertebral end plate fracture (Type 1 Modic Changes on MRI). This is important as it means the disc cannot properly imbibe from the vertebral body. Thus the disc struggles to get its nutrients and thus falls into poorer health becoming more pain sensitive. New pain sensing neurone grow into the disc bringing pain sensitivity to places it simply wasn’t before.

The vertebral end plates have been likened to hyaline cartilage in a knee joint.  When hyaline cartilage breaks down it blurs its borders too.

Cartilage breakdown in the knee is probably more common knowledge than vertebral end plate changes in the spine. Because both the hyaline and the vertebral end plate can breakdown without symptoms causing muscular imbalance, protective spasms and compensations. Is it time to look into your muscular imbalances? Abnormal loads hasten degenerative conditions.

Book your Consultation today to check on your muscular imbalances.

References: 

1. Erwin MW and Hood KE (2014) The Cellular and Molecular Biology of the Intervertebral disc: A Clinicians Primer. J Can Chiropr Assoc Sept 58(3) p246
2. Erwin MW (2023) Should you adjust that herniated Disc? J Can Chiropr Assoc Apr 67(1) 7