Degenerative cervical spine disease – pathogenesis and symptoms

Abstract

Cervical discopathy is a degenerative process in the intervertebral disc and the structure of the fibrous ring. Due to the processes of proteoglycan breakdown and collagen structure, the nucleus pulposus is dehydrated and susceptible to the damaging process. The stretching of the ring leads to its tearing and the appearance of a hernia of the nucleus pulposus. These changes lead to the growth of degeneration in the anatomical structures, i.e. the yellow ligament or intervertebral joints. Treatment of the disease should take into account the mechanism of degeneration and biomechanics of the cervical spine.

Keywords

• cervical discopathy
• herniated nucleus pulposus
• cervical myelopathy