Disc desiccation plays a large role in degenerative disc disease because it is the main cause of degenerative disc disease. When discs become degenerated, it is a result of the spinal disc becoming dehydrated, known as desiccation. However, there’s a lot more to disc desiccation and how it affects degenerative disc disease than it simply being the main cause of this condition.
Parts of the Spinal Disc
Spinal discs, or intervertebral discs, are like a cushion between each of the vertebrae in your spine. The purpose of the spinal disc is to absorb force and impact caused during normal movement, as well as to prevent the vertebrae from grinding against each other whenever movement happens.
Each spinal disc has two parts to it, the annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus. The annulus fibrosus is the outer portion of the disc, and it is similar to the outer portion of a car’s tire. It is very sturdy and because of this, it augments the spine’s stability during rotation and allows it to resist stress caused by pressure placed on the spine. The annulus fibrosus is made up of multiple layers containing water and elastic collagen fibers that run horizontally, making it similar to a radial tire.
Wrapped within the annulus fibrosus is the nucleus pulposus, a gel-like substance made up of water, collagen, and a protein compound called proteoglycan. The nucleus pulposus works in conjunction with the annulus fibrosus to protect the spine from stress. The largest difference between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus is that the nucleus pulposus contains significantly more water.1
What is Disc Desiccation and Why Does It Happen?
Disc desiccation is what happens when the nucleus pulposus begins to leak out of the disc. This fluid is what allows spinal discs to maintain their flexibility and to absorb shock from forces that may affect the spine. Over time, if enough of the nucleus pulposus is lost due to leakage, the spinal disc will become flat and dehydrated, and the vertebrae will be left with no padding between them.
But why does the fluid begin to leak in the first place? This is the result of tears in the annulus fibrosus, called annular tears. These tears occur due to trauma and day-to-day activities. Just about everyone will develop annular tears in their spine as they age, but if you regularly participate in activities known to put repetitive stress on the spine or sustain a serious injury affecting your spine, you may develop enough annular tears to lead to significant leaking. This is what leads to spinal discs becoming dehydrated, and this is what causes the pain associated with degenerative disc disease.
Symptoms of Disc Desiccation
The symptoms that you may experience due to disc desiccation will vary depending on the location of the dehydrated discs. For example, if these discs are located in the cervical spine, you’ll experience neck pain. If the desiccated discs are located in your lower back, or the lumbar spine, that’s where you’ll feel pain. However, there are other symptoms of disc desiccation that you may experience as well. These symptoms include stiffness, weakness, a burning or tingling sensation, numbness in the legs or feet, reduced or painful movement, and sciatica.2
Symptoms like sciatica, burning, and tingling are caused by the leakage of the nucleus pulposus. The proteins that this substance is made up of may irritate and inflame the nerves surrounding the area, which causes these sensations.
Can Disc Desiccation Be Healed?
As mentioned before, we all develop desiccated discs to a certain extent. If this desiccation is not causing pain or disrupting your life, no treatment is necessary. However, if it is significant enough that it is stopping you from living your life, you will likely be searching for treatment.
Unfortunately, because there is so little blood supply in the spinal discs, they cannot heal themselves once tears are developed. However, there are other forms of treatment that may be helpful, such as implants, spine correction, spinal decompression, or spinal fusion.2
If you feel that you may be dealing with back or neck pain that is the result of disc desiccation, speak to your doctor about your symptoms. If you’re suffering from degenerative disc disease, the best thing to do is to get the treatment you need as soon as possible.
- (2016, December 20). Retrieved from https://www.coloradospineinstitute.com/education/anatomy/intervertebral-discs/
- Galan, N. (2018, June 13). How can disc desiccation be treated? Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322121
