The disks in your spine, called intervertebral disks, are thin, oblong structures that serve as cushions between the bones of your back (vertebrae). Each disk is made of a soft gel core surrounded by a tough, fibrous outer shell. This structure allows the disk to be firm enough to maintain the space between the vertebrae, but soft enough to compress when the spine flexes during bending, leaning and turning sideways.
In some people, mostly middle-aged adults, a disk's tough...
Read moreA recent study revealed that percutaneous disc decompression resulted in significant relief for painful herniated discs in sciatica... Read more »
Spinal disc degeneration is not a disease. In other words, disc degeneration is not an abnormality in the normal human body. By itself,... Read more »
Disc herniation sounds scary, but what is it really? Remember from Spine Anatomy 101 that the spinal disc is a squishy thing that sits in between the... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
A herniated (slipped) disk occurs when all or part of a spinal disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk. This places pressure on nearby... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
PreventionThe best way to prevent cervical cancer is to avoid getting infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). Because HPV is sexually transmitted,... Read more »
Source: HealthCentral Encyclopedia
Article updated and reviewed by Scott J. Luhmann, MD, Instructor in Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of... Read more »
The person with the most replaced parts wins and now the joint replacement race does not stop with hips, knees or shoulders. Spinal discs are the... Read more »