Abstract
The intervertebral disc can be a common pain generator in acute and/or chronic low back pain. This discogenic pain is commonly caused by internal disc disruption and radial fissures of the annulus fibrosis. Patient history and physical examination are important factors in assessing discogenic pain in patients with low back pain. Additionally, imaging including radiographs, MRI, and discography are often utilized in the workup of degenerative disc disease. Management goals for pain control hinges on improvement in functionality as well as on a pain rating scale. Conservative treatment with pharmacological agents, exercise program, and self-management therapies are employed first. If unsuccessful, interventional treatment with epidural steroid injections and/or intradiscal procedures may be useful.
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Ramsook, R.R., Bryce, T.N. (2017). Degenerative Disc and Discogenic Pain. In: Kahn, S., Xu, R. (eds) Musculoskeletal Sports and Spine Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50512-1_97
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