pine, stresses are most placed to the back and sides (posterolateral aspect) of the annulus fibrosus since this portion is weaker and thinner compared to the front. When the annulus fibrosus ruptures (disc herniation), release of contents of the nucleus pulposus are irritating to the spinal nerve roots causing inflammation and pain. This usually causes acute pain. ChroDuring physical activity, stresses are placed onto the spine and the discs. The discs act as buffers between the vertebral bodies, absorb the imposed compressive shock to the spine and redistribute the forces to other parts of the spine. They protect the spine in order that the spine remains stable and flexible.

The intervertebral disc is very similar to a jelly-filled doughnut. The jelly inside the doughnut is called the nucleus pulposus, outer rim of the doughnut which is firm and hard is called the annulus fibrosis and the upper and lower crusts of the doughnut are called the vertebral endplates. When a person bends forward, backward or sideways, outer rim of the doughnut known as the annulus fibrosis bulges outward in the direction toward which the body bends (concave side). The jelly inside the doughnut also moves in the direction of the bend but in the normal spine, the jelly quickly returns to its original position once the body returns to its neutral position. Normally, the jelly (nucleus pulposus) takes most of the compressive shocks that occurs to the spine and redistribute it to the annulus fibrosis.

With aging, the jelly solidifies making it harder and less resilient for force re-distribution. The annulus fibrosis then is exposed to most of the loading that occurs to the spine. With vertebral compression forces, the structure that fails first is the vertebral endplates where fractures can occur.

With bending and twisting movements of the spine, stresses are most placed to the back and sides (posterolateral aspect) of the annulus fibrosus since this portion is weaker and thinner compared to the front. When the annulus fibrosus ruptures (disc herniation), release of contents of the nucleus pulposus are irritating to the spinal nerve roots causing inflammation and pain. This usually causes acute pain. Chron

d doughnut. The jelly inside the doughnut is called the nucleus pulposus, outer rim of the doughnut which is firm and hard is called the annulus fibrosis and the upper and lower crusts of the doughnut are called the vertebral endplates. When a person bends forward, backward or sideways, outer rim of the doughnut known as the annulus fibrosis bulges outward in the direction toward which the body bends (concave side). The jelly inside the doughnut also moves in the direction of the bend but in the normal spine, the jelly quickly returns to its original position once the body returns to its neutral position. Normally, the jelly (nucleus pulposus) takes most of the compressive shocks that occurs to the spine and redistribute it to the annulus fibrosis.

With aging, the jelly solidifies making it harder and less resilient for force re-distribution. The annulus fibrosis then is exposed to most of the loading that occurs to the spine. With vertebral compression forces, the structure that fails first is the vertebral endplates where fractures can occur.

With bending and twisting movements of the spine, stresses are most placed to the back and sides (posterolateral aspect) of the annulus fibrosus since this portion is weaker and thinner compared to the front. When the annulus fibrosus ruptures (disc herniation), release of contents of the nucleus pulposus are irritating to the spinal nerve roots causing inflammation and pain. This usually causes acute pain. Chro

on toward which the body bends (concave side). The jelly inside the doughnut also moves in the direction of the bend but in the normal spine, the jelly quickly returns to its original position once the body returns to its neutral position. Normally, the jelly (nucleus pulposus) takes most of the compressive shocks that occurs to the spine and redistribute it to the annulus fibrosis.

With aging, the jelly solidifies making it harder and less resilient for force re-distribution. The annulus fibrosis then is exposed to most of the loading that occurs to the spine. With vertebral compression forces, the structure that fails first is the vertebral endplates where fractures can occur.

With bending and twisting movements of the spine, stresses are most placed to the back and sides (posterolateral aspect) of the annulus fibrosus since this portion is weaker and thinner compared to the front. When the annulus fibrosus ruptures (disc herniation), release of contents of the nucleus pulposus are irritating to the spinal nerve roots causing inflammation and pain. This usually causes acute pain. Chro

lus fibrosis.

With aging, the jelly solidifies making it harder and less resilient for force re-distribution. The annulus fibrosis then is exposed to most of the loading that occurs to the spine. With vertebral compression forces, the structure that fails first is the vertebral endplates where fractures can occur.

With bending and twisting movements of the spine, stresses are most placed to the back and sides (posterolateral aspect) of the annulus fibrosus since this portion is weaker and thinner compared to the front. When the annulus fibrosus ruptures (disc herniation), release of contents of the nucleus pulposus are irritating to the spinal nerve roots causing inflammation and pain. This usually causes acute pain. Chro

pine, stresses are most placed to the back and sides (posterolateral aspect) of the annulus fibrosus since this portion is weaker and thinner compared to the front. When the annulus fibrosus ruptures (disc herniation), release of contents of the nucleus pulposus are irritating to the spinal nerve roots causing inflammation and pain. This usually causes acute pain. Chronic pain on the other hand has complex mechanisms.