Specific diseases I introduced by ENANDE

According to biological aging, degeneration runs in different phases. Initially, the water retention capacity decreases, resulting in a possible painful segmental hypermobility. During this phase, diagnostic imaging is often inconclusive. X-rays can show retrolisthesis, a reverse sliding of the upper vertebra over the lower vertebra. In the MRI, the affected intervertebral disc appears plain black (black disc), sometimes a small collection of fluid is seen in the rear fiber ring (annular tear), which is accepted as apparent pain symptom. During the further course of the process, substance of the intervertebral disc is decreasing, disc height is diminished, leading, regardless of protrusions and/or herniations, to narrowing of the nerve exits, a lateral narrowing of the spinal canal called lateral stenosis. Advanced stages of degeneration lead to a complete loss of disc height causing complete narrowing of the spinal canal (central stenosis). X-rays and MRI show typical signs as well. Although increased stiffening can be assumed in the advanced stages, segmental instabilities can regularly be found, causing pain.

Sliding of the vertebral body (spondylolisthesis) can be divided into different groups. The most common causes are congenital or acquired conditions and generally occur in younger patients. However, with increasing age, the degenerative form of spondylolisthesis also plays a role. The main result is always instability with relating symptoms and the development of spinal stenosis. Decisive for this type of instability is that it is always characterized by a forward sliding of the upper vertebra against the lower vertebra.

Development of a complex deformity of the spine in the form of scoliosis is subject to various causes. Scoliosis is characterized by a complicated incorrect rotation of individual vertebrae in the longitudinal axis, with subsequent lateral curvature of the affected spinal region. Significant deformities of the lumbar spine occur, which again result in lateral and/ or central narrowing of the spinal canal (lateral or central stenosis).

The spinal canal can be narrowed both laterally and centrally, resulting in spinal stenosis, which can lead to corresponding symptoms and must be treated according to its original cause.