A Brief Note on Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Cyrus Obama^*
*Correspondence: Cyrus Obama, Department of Pharmacy, Aga Khan University Medical College, Nairobi, Kenya, Email:

Received: 07-Feb-2022, Manuscript No. IJP-22-151; Editor assigned: 11-Feb-2022, Pre QC No. IJP-22-151 (PQ); Reviewed: 21-Feb-2022, QC No. IJP-22-151; Revised: 28-Feb-2022, Manuscript No. IJP-22-151 (R); Published: 07-Mar-2022, DOI: 10.37532/2249-1848-22.12.02

Description

Chronic back pain is a common ailment linked with intervertebral disc degeneration. Degenerative alterations in the cervical spine afflict 50 percent of the population by middle age, and intervertebral disc degeneration is the most common cause of back discomfort. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is another term for this disorder. The nucleus pulposus is typically implicated in the early stages of degeneration. This structure's rapid repair and regeneration will assist in the prevention of future fibrosis deterioration. Advances in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering have made it possible to utilize scaffolds supplemented with cells and growth factors, opening up new possibilities for healing treatments. Injectable, bio-adhesive hydrogel has showed significant promise as a synthetic substitute for the intervertebral disc's nucleus pulposus and has been utilised to regenerate the nucleus.

The intervertebral disc, also known as intervertebral fibrocartilage, is found in the vertebral column between consecutive vertebrae. The symphysis, which is a junction between the vertebral bodies, acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together and provide the spine with a wide range of motion. This enables the cartilage to act as a shock absorber between each vertebra in the spinal column, keeping the vertebrae apart when there is an impact from exercise. The spine's complex structure, which includes both hard and soft tissues, provides high load-bearing characteristics while yet enabling mobility and cushioning.

The intervertebral discs' fundamental components are an annulus fibrosus and a nucleus pulposus. It is a complicated structure with an annulus fibrosus perimeter that surrounds a jelly-like centre (nucleus pulposus). The nucleus pulposus is the core and location of the vertebral disc. The annulus both limits and contains the nucleus, as well as forming the perimeter. The nucleus's function is to convert compressive loads to tensile loads in the annulus fibrosus, as the annulus is not designed to take compressive loads. The nucleus pulposus is made up of a gelatin-like substance and a hydrated matter made up of water, as well as a loose network of collagen fibers that resist compression.

The elasticity of the inner core structure is responsible for the vertebral disc's capacity to sustain significant compression and torsion pressures. This hybrid structure also provides for bending, rotation, cushioning, and protection of the healthy spine's function. As we age, the body's discs stiffen owing to dryness of the structural components, rendering the disc unable to respond to compression.

In contrast to surgical challenges for the management of IVD in the past, the development of naturally inspired alternatives for the regeneration of the intervertebral disc plays a vital role in the development of therapeutic methods for IVD degeneration. This condition is common among working-class people and is generally caused by acute physical trauma or long-term intervertebral disc mistreatment, which aggravates the disease and causes a cascade of degenerative changes that leads to chronic neurological dysfunction.

Loads are transferred from the NP to the annular walls at the periphery when the intervertebral disc is intact. When the nucleus is damaged, the strains on the walls are entirely compressive, resulting in annular buckling and degeneration. Current therapeutic options for IVD degenerative diseases are inefficient in the long run and may extend to adjacent intervertebral discs. As a result, regenerative techniques are required to compensate for degeneration and allow for the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues, which can prevent disease development.