What is disc desiccation?

Answer 1

To understand disc desiccation, it is first necessary to understand a few other terms. To begin with, vertebrae are bones that form an opening in which the spinal cord passes. These bones are stacked one on top of another.

Each individual bone that makes up the vertebrae is called a vertebra. In between the vertebrae are flat, cushiony discs (known as intervertebral discs) that act as shock absorbers. These discs are represented by the red areas. The discs normally contain a certain amount of fluid. Disc desiccation is abnormal dryness of the discs. Disc desiccation is common in older people and it can occur in any area of the spine from top to bottom. In fact, most people will experience some degree of disc desiccation in their lives.

As a result of this dryness and loss of fluid, the disc(s) degenerate (wear away) to a degree. Disc desiccation is the earliest visible sign of disc degeneration. Disc degeneration can range in severity from mild, moderate, to severe. Severe cases of disc degeneration can require surgery to fix the problem. Risk factors for disc degeneration include genetics which predispose one to disc problems, a history of moderate to severe spine trauma, and having a job that is very labor intensive and requires heavy lifting.

Many people with back problems get a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of the spine. MRI scans produce extremely detailed pictures of the inside of the body by using very powerful magnets and computer technology. An MRI produces various signal intensities, which are then made into images of the body by the computer. The intensity of the signals can be low, normal, or high. Disc desiccation will have low signal intensity on a type of MRI scan known as T2 (an abbreviation for time 2). A T2 MRI scan appears like film negatives from a photographs. A dry disc will appear black on the MRI scan.

Disc desiccation is sometimes referred to as disc degeneration and degenerative disc disease (DDD). Disc desiccation comes from the Greek word "diskos" meaning "flat plate," and the Latin word "desiccare" meaning "to dry up completely." Put the two words together and you have "flat plate to dry up completely."

Answer 2

Early Disc Dessication is a condition where the fluid in the discs between each of the vertebre in your back starts to dry out. With no fluid to support and cushion the bones in your spinal column, your bones start to rub against each other, making movement of your back painful and osteo-Arthritis can stiffen the joints. Depending upon where in your spinal column the dried discs are, you can develop pain-related problems in other part of your body, such as:***Cervical spine: Migraines, neck aches and stiffness, damaged hearing and loss of balance.***Lumbar spine: Backaches, stiff shoulders, pain radiating to hands, breathing difficulties, poor posture.***Saccral spine: Sciatic pain radiating to both hips, dificulty walking, numbness in legs, painful to sit; painful to stand, difficulty having regular bowel movements. A member of my family has six dessicated discs, in different areas of her back, due to two car accidents and numerous falls because of a lack of balance. I've taken her to doctor's offices, chiropractors, CAT scans, MRI's and she's taken many prescirptions for pain that, she says, don't even put a dent in the pain, because she has pinched nerves.***Whatever treatment or therapy your doctor suggests, try it. Physical therapy, weight loss and 'Aqua Therapy' (exercising in a pool) are supposed to help this condition.

Answer 3

Found this answer for you.

Disc dessication is a common finding on MRI, although it is considered a "positive finding." In other words, the discs should not be dessicated. Dessicated disc is also known as a "dried up disc." If the disc dries up, it leads to break down and "arthritis." If it progresses, it may "bulge" and possibly cause pressure onto the spinal nerves, which leads to numbness, pain, or tingling sensations into the legs.

Why would this be painful? Because their are pain fibers in the outside layer of the disc that can sense if their are tears. If this was true, your MRI would say "annular tears," which would indicate that there were tears in the outside layer of the disc, which can be pain sensitive. However, not all research indicates this is completely true.

In my experience, chiropractic care can help with discogenic pain (pain caused by disc problems). Mobilization of this area allows for healing to occur. When an area is painful, it usually also has some swelling. Mobilization serves to decrease this swelling, and hopefully decreases the pain too.

Answer 4

As we age, the discs in our spine dry out and flatten, losing their flexibility and plumpness. Diffuse disc desiccation is the formal name for this common degenerative process in the spine. It can be a natural occurrence of the body as it ages, requiring intervention only when pain or mobility issues are also present.