Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Back Pain and Disc Degeneration: Are They Really Linked?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Intervertebral Disc

Abstract

Back pain or lower back pain (LBP) still remains a controversy, with an apparent lack of understanding of the basic genetic and pathophysiologic mechanisms that predispose patients to this common disabling condition. It has been estimated that LBP affects up to about 80 % of all people during their lifetime (Andersson 1995, 1999). At a given moment, approximately 30 % of the American population suffer from LBP (Frank et al. 1996). LBP thus affects many individuals and is a major societal cost in terms of inability to work, medical treatment, and rehabilitation. In the USA, the total cost was estimated to $50 billion in 1991 (Frymoyer and Cats-Baril 1991) and in Sweden in 1995, with a population of eight million people, to SEK 29.4 billion (approx. US $5 billion) (Nachemson and Jonsson 2000). Low back pain usually has a good prognosis, and most people are able to return to work within a limited period of time, although about 20 % may have recurring problems within 6 months (Cassidy et al. 2005). Also, a considerable number of individuals may suffer from long-lasting low back pain. Because of the lack of knowledge of the underlying causes for back pain and sciatica, it is difficult to define specific treatment modalities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abbott FV, Franklin KB, Westbrook RF (1995) The formalin test: scoring properties of the first and second phases of the pain response in rats. Pain 60(1):91–102

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adamczak JM, Farr TD, Seehafer JU, Kalthoff D, Hoehn M (2010) High field BOLD response to forepaw stimulation in the mouse. Neuroimage 51(2):704–712. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.02.083

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander C (1960) Erosion of the femoral shaft due to patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Clin Radiol 11:110–113

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alvik I (1950) Degeneration of the lumbar intervertebral disks. Nord Med 44(32):1271–1274

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amir R, Devor M (1992) Axonal cross-excitation in nerve-end neuromas: comparison of A- and C-fibers. J Neurophysiol 68(4):1160–1166

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andersson GBJ (1995) Intervertebral disc herniation: epidemiology and natural history. In: Weinstein JN, Gordon SL (eds) Low back pain. A scientific and clinical overview. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Rosemont, pp 7–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersson GB (1999) Epidemiological features of chronic low-back pain. Lancet 354(9178):581–585. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(99)01312-4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aoki Y, Ohtori S, Takahashi K, Ino H, Takahashi Y, Chiba T, Moriya H (2004) Innervation of the lumbar intervertebral disc by nerve growth factor-dependent neurons related to inflammatory pain. Spine 29(10):1077–1081

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ashton IK, Roberts S, Jaffray DC, Polak JM, Eisenstein SM (1994) Neuropeptides in the human intervertebral disc. J Orthop Res 12(2):186–192. doi:10.1002/jor.1100120206

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey JF, Liebenberg E, Degmetich S, Lotz JC (2011) Innervation patterns of PGP 9.5-positive nerve fibers within the human lumbar vertebra. J Anat 218(3):263–270. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2010.01332.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baldino F Jr, Cowan A, Geller EB, Adler MW (1979) Effects of antipsychotic and antianxiety drugs on the morphine abstinence syndrome in rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 208(1):63–66

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barbacid M (1995) Structural and functional properties of the TRK family of neurotrophin receptors. Ann N Y Acad Sci 766:442–458

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bartels EM, Fairbank JC, Winlove CP, Urban JP (1998) Oxygen and lactate concentrations measured in vivo in the intervertebral discs of patients with scoliosis and back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 23(1):1–7; discussion 8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benneker LM, Heini PF, Anderson SE, Alini M, Ito K (2005) Correlation of radiographic and MRI parameters to morphological and biochemical assessment of intervertebral disc degeneration. Eur Spine J 14(1):27–35. doi:10.1007/s00586-004-0759-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berlemann U, Gries NC, Moore RJ (1998) The relationship between height, shape and histological changes in early degeneration of the lower lumbar discs. Eur Spine J 7(3):212–217

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boden SD, Davis DO, Dina TS, Patronas NJ, Wiesel SW (1990) Abnormal magnetic-resonance scans of the lumbar spine in asymptomatic subjects. A prospective investigation. J Bone Joint Surg Am 72(3):403–408

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bogduk N (1983) The innervation of the lumbar spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 8(3):286–293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bogduk N, Long DM (1979) The anatomy of the so-called “articular nerves” and their relationship to facet denervation in the treatment of low-back pain. J Neurosurg 51(2):172–177. doi:10.3171/jns.1979.51.2.0172

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bogduk N, Tynan W, Wilson AS (1981) The nerve supply to the human lumbar intervertebral discs. J Anat 132(Pt 1):39–56

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boos N, Rieder R, Schade V, Spratt KF, Semmer N, Aebi M (1995) 1995 Volvo Award in clinical sciences. The diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging, work perception, and psychosocial factors in identifying symptomatic disc herniations. Spine 20(24):2613–2625

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bradford DS (1994) Surgical treatment of low back pain in spine instability. Chir Organi Mov 79(1):63–68

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Braithwaite I, White J, Saifuddin A, Renton P, Taylor BA (1998) Vertebral end-plate (Modic) changes on lumbar spine MRI: correlation with pain reproduction at lumbar discography. Eur Spine J 7(5):363–368

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brisby H, Tao H, Ma DD, Diwan AD (2004) Cell therapy for disc degeneration–potentials and pitfalls. Orthop Clin North Am 35(1):85–93. doi:10.1016/s0030-5898(03)00104-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brotto LA, Hanson LA, Gorzalka BB (1999) Nefazodone attenuates the stress-induced facilitation of wet dog shaking behaviour but not the facilitation of sexual behaviour in female rats. Eur J Pharmacol 381(2–3):101–104

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown MF, Hukkanen MV, McCarthy ID, Redfern DR, Batten JJ, Crock HV, Hughes SP, Polak JM (1997) Sensory and sympathetic innervation of the vertebral endplate in patients with degenerative disc disease. J Bone Joint Surg Br 79(1):147–153

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buckwalter JA (1995) Aging and degeneration of the human intervertebral disc. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 20(11):1307–1314

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burchiel KJ (1984) Spontaneous impulse generation in normal and denervated dorsal root ganglia: sensitivity to alpha-adrenergic stimulation and hypoxia. Exp Neurol 85(2):257–272

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burton AK, Battie MC, Gibbons L, Videman T, Tillotson KM (1996) Lumbar disc degeneration and sagittal flexibility. J Spinal Disord 9(5):418–424

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carragee EJ (2000) Is lumbar discography a determinate of discogenic low back pain: provocative discography reconsidered. Curr Rev Pain 4(4):301–308

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carragee EJ, Paragioudakis SJ, Khurana S (2000) 2000 Volvo Award winner in clinical studies: lumbar high-intensity zone and discography in subjects without low back problems. Spine 25(23):2987–2992

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carreon LY, Glassman SD, Howard J (2008) Fusion and nonsurgical treatment for symptomatic lumbar degenerative disease: a systematic review of Oswestry Disability Index and MOS Short Form-36 outcomes. Spine J 8(5):747–755. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2007.06.013

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carrera GF (1980) Lumbar facet joint injection in low back pain and sciatica: preliminary results. Radiology 137(3):665–667

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cassidy JD, Cote P, Carroll LJ, Kristman V (2005) Incidence and course of low back pain episodes in the general population. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 30(24):2817–2823

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavanaugh JM (1995) Neural mechanisms of lumbar pain. Spine 20(16):1804–1809

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cavanaugh JM, Kallakuri S, Ozaktay AC (1995) Innervation of the rabbit lumbar intervertebral disc and posterior longitudinal ligament. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 20(19):2080–2085

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cavanaugh JM, Ozaktay AC, Yamashita T, Avramov A, Getchell TV, King AI (1997) Mechanisms of low back pain: a neurophysiologic and neuroanatomic study. Clin Orthop Relat Res 335:166–180

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheung KM, Karppinen J, Chan D, Ho DW, Song YQ, Sham P, Cheah KS, Leong JC, Luk KD (2009) Prevalence and pattern of lumbar magnetic resonance imaging changes in a population study of one thousand forty-three individuals. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 34(9):934–940. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181a01b3f

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chou D, Samartzis D, Bellabarba C, Patel A, Luk KD, Kisser JM, Skelly AC (2011) Degenerative magnetic resonance imaging changes in patients with chronic low back pain: a systematic review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 36(21 Suppl):S43–S53. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e31822ef700

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen SP, Bogduk N, Dragovich A, Buckenmaier CC 3rd, Griffith S, Kurihara C, Raymond J, Richter PJ, Williams N, Yaksh TL (2009) Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose–response, and preclinical safety study of transforaminal epidural etanercept for the treatment of sciatica. Anesthesiology 110(5):1116–1126. doi:10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181a05aa0

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colasanti B, Khazan N (1975) Imipramine-induced changes in the rapid eye movement sleep rebound and wet dog shakes of morphine-abstinent rats. Neuropharmacology 14(5–6):361–367

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coppes MH, Marani E, Thomeer RT, Groen GJ (1997) Innervation of “painful” lumbar discs. Spine 22(20):2342–2349; discussion 2349–2350

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Costigan M, Scholz J, Woolf CJ (2009) Neuropathic pain: a maladaptive response of the nervous system to damage. Annu Rev Neurosci 32:1–32. doi:10.1146/annurev.neuro.051508.135531

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coutaux A, Adam F, Willer JC, Le Bars D (2005) Hyperalgesia and allodynia: peripheral mechanisms. Joint Bone Spine 72(5):359–371. doi:10.1016/j.jbspin.2004.01.010

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crawley JN, Moody TW (1983) Anxiolytics block excessive grooming behavior induced by ACTH1-24 and bombesin. Brain Res Bull 10(3):399–401

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dechant G, Barde YA (1997) Signalling through the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR. Curr Opin Neurobiol 7(3):413–418

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Della-Giustina D, Kilcline BA (2000) Acute low back pain: a comprehensive review. Compr Ther 26(3):153–159

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Derby R, Kim BJ, Lee SH, Chen Y, Seo KS, Aprill C (2005) Comparison of discographic findings in asymptomatic subject discs and the negative discs of chronic LBP patients: can discography distinguish asymptomatic discs among morphologically abnormal discs? Spine J 5(4):389–394

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deschamps K, Couture R (2005) The ventral tegmental area as a putative target for tachykinins in cardiovascular regulation. Br J Pharmacol 145(6):712–727

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deseure KR, Adriaensen HF (2002) Comparison between two types of behavioral variables of non-evoked facial pain after chronic constriction injury to the rat infraorbital nerve. Comp Med 52(1):44–49

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devor M (1991) Chronic pain in the aged: possible relation between neurogenesis, involution and pathophysiology in adult sensory ganglia. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2(1–2):1–15

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devor M (2006) Sodium channels and mechanisms of neuropathic pain. J Pain 7(1 Suppl 1):S3–S12. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2005.09.006

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devor M, Wall PD (1990) Cross-excitation in dorsal root ganglia of nerve-injured and intact rats. J Neurophysiol 64(6):1733–1746

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diamant B, Karlsson J, Nachemson A (1968) Correlation between lactate levels and pH in discs of patients with lumbar rhizopathies. Experientia 24(12):1195–1196

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dimitroulias A, Tsonidis C, Natsis K, Venizelos I, Djau SN, Tsitsopoulos P (2010) An immunohistochemical study of mechanoreceptors in lumbar spine intervertebral discs. J Clin Neurosci 17(6):742–745. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2009.09.032

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dray A (1995) Inflammatory mediators of pain. Br J Anaesth 75(2):125–131

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ebendal T (1992) Function and evolution in the NGF family and its receptors. J Neurosci Res 32(4):461–470. doi:10.1002/jnr.490320402

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edgar MA, Ghadially JA (1976) Innervation of the lumbar spine. Clin Orthop Relat Res 115:35–41

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrenhaft JL (1943) Development of the vertebral column as related to certain congenital and pathological changes. Surg, Gyn Obstr 76:282–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenstein SM, Parry CR (1987) The lumbar facet arthrosis syndrome. Clinical presentation and articular surface changes. J Bone Joint Surg Br 69(1):3–7

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Epps PG (1942) A case of degeneration of the intervertebral disc following lumbar puncture: (section of orthopaedics). Proc R Soc Med 35(3):220–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksson J, Jablonski A, Persson AK, Hao JX, Kouya PF, Wiesenfeld-Hallin Z, Xu XJ, Fried K (2005) Behavioral changes and trigeminal ganglion sodium channel regulation in an orofacial neuropathic pain model. Pain 119(1–3):82–94

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fagan A, Moore R, Vernon Roberts B, Blumbergs P, Fraser R (2003) ISSLS prize winner: the innervation of the intervertebral disc: a quantitative analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 28(23):2570–2576. doi:10.1097/01.brs.0000096942.29660.b1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frank JW, Kerr MS, Brooker AS, DeMaio SE, Maetzel A, Shannon HS, Sullivan TJ, Norman RW, Wells RP (1996) Disability resulting from occupational low back pain. Part I: what do we know about primary prevention? A review of the scientific evidence on prevention before disability begins. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 21(24):2908–2917

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freemont AJ, Peacock TE, Goupille P, Hoyland JA, O’Brien J, Jayson MI (1997) Nerve ingrowth into diseased intervertebral disc in chronic back pain. Lancet 350(9072):178–181

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freemont AJ, Watkins A, Le Maitre C, Baird P, Jeziorska M, Knight MT, Ross ER, O’Brien JP, Hoyland JA (2002) Nerve growth factor expression and innervation of the painful intervertebral disc. J Pathol 197(3):286–292. doi:10.1002/path.1108

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friberg S (1948) Anatomical studies on lumbar disc degeneration. Acta Orthop Scand 17(3–4):224–230

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friberg S, Hirsch C (1949) Anatomical and clinical studies on lumbar disc degeneration. Acta Orthop Scand 19(2):222–242, illust

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frymoyer JW, Cats-Baril WL (1991) An overview of the incidences and costs of low back pain. Orthop Clin North Am 22(2):263–271

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fujiwara A, Lim TH, An HS, Tanaka N, Jeon CH, Andersson GB, Haughton VM (2000a) The effect of disc degeneration and facet joint osteoarthritis on the segmental flexibility of the lumbar spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 25(23):3036–3044

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fujiwara A, Tamai K, An HS, Kurihashi T, Lim TH, Yoshida H, Saotome K (2000b) The relationship between disc degeneration, facet joint osteoarthritis, and stability of the degenerative lumbar spine. J Spinal Disord 13(5):444–450

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Cabrera I, Berge OG (1990) Interaction of high pressure and a narcotic dose of ethanol on spontaneous behavior in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 37(3):577–581

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Cosamalon J, del Valle ME, Calavia MG, Garcia-Suarez O, Lopez-Muniz A, Otero J, Vega JA (2010) Intervertebral disc, sensory nerves and neurotrophins: who is who in discogenic pain? J Anat 217(1):1–15. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2010.01227.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghomley RK (1993) Low back pain with special reference to the articular facets with presentation of an operative procedure. JAMA 101:1773–1777

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson JN, Waddell G (2005) Surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (4):CD001352. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001352.pub3

  • Giles LG, Taylor JR (1987) Innervation of lumbar zygapophyseal joint synovial folds. Acta Orthop Scand 58(1):43–46

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Glassman SD, Carreon LY, Djurasovic M, Dimar JR, Johnson JR, Puno RM, Campbell MJ (2009) Lumbar fusion outcomes stratified by specific diagnostic indication. Spine J 9(1):13–21. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2008.08.011

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goupille P, Avimadje AM, Zerkak D, Valat JP (2000) Clinical elements of the diagnostic guidelines for low back pain. Rev Prat 50(16):1760–1764

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Groen GJ, Baljet B, Drukker J (1988) The innervation of the spinal dura mater: anatomy and clinical implications. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 92(1–4):39–46

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grunhagen T, Shirazi-Adl A, Fairbank JC, Urban JP (2011) Intervertebral disk nutrition: a review of factors influencing concentrations of nutrients and metabolites. Orthop Clin North Am 42(4):465–477. doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2011.07.010

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Han HC, Lee DH, Chung JM (2000) Characteristics of ectopic discharges in a rat neuropathic pain model. Pain 84(2–3):253–261

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hasue M (1993) Pain and the nerve root. An interdisciplinary approach. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 18(14):2053–2058

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henschke N, Maher CG, Refshauge KM, Herbert RD, Cumming RG, Bleasel J, York J, Das A, McAuley JH (2009) Prevalence of and screening for serious spinal pathology in patients presenting to primary care settings with acute low back pain. Arthritis Rheum 60(10):3072–3080. doi:10.1002/art.24853

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hilton RC, Ball J, Benn RT (1980) Annular tears in the dorsolumbar spine. Ann Rheum Dis 39(6):533–538

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch C (1959) Studies on the pathology of low back pain. J Bone Joint Surg Br 41-B(2):237–243

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch C, Ingelmark BE, Miller M (1963) The anatomical basis for low back pain. Studies on the presence of sensory nerve endings in ligamentous, capsular and intervertebral disc structures in the human lumbar spine. Acta Orthop Scand 33:1–17

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holm S, Selstam G, Nachemson A (1982) Carbohydrate metabolism and concentration profiles of solutes in the canine lumbar intervertebral disc. Acta Physiol Scand 115(1):147–156

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horner HA, Urban JP (2001) 2001 Volvo Award Winner in Basic Science Studies: effect of nutrient supply on the viability of cells from the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 26(23):2543–2549

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horowitz GP, Allan AM (1982) Morphine withdrawal in mice selectively bred for differential sensitivity to ethanol. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 16(1):35–39

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu EW, Hedlund LW, MacFall JR (1998) Functional MRI of the rat somatosensory cortex: effects of hyperventilation. Magn Reson Med 40(3):421–426

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Igarashi A, Kikuchi S, Konno S, Olmarker K (2004) Inflammatory cytokines released from the facet joint tissue in degenerative lumbar spinal disorders. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 29(19):2091–2095

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inoue N, Espinoza Orias AA (2011) Biomechanics of intervertebral disk degeneration. Orthop Clin North Am 42(4):487–499. doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2011.07.001

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen MC, Brant-Zawadzki MN, Obuchowski N, Modic MT, Malkasian D, Ross JS (1994) Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine in people without back pain. N Engl J Med 331(2):69–73. doi:10.1056/nejm199407143310201

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen TS, Karppinen J, Sorensen JS, Niinimaki J, Leboeuf-Yde C (2008) Vertebral endplate signal changes (Modic change): a systematic literature review of prevalence and association with non-specific low back pain. Eur Spine J 17(11):1407–1422. doi:10.1007/s00586-008-0770-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson WE, Evans H, Menage J, Eisenstein SM, El Haj A, Roberts S (2001) Immunohistochemical detection of Schwann cells in innervated and vascularized human intervertebral discs. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 26(23):2550–2557

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson WE, Patterson AM, Eisenstein SM, Roberts S (2007) The presence of pleiotrophin in the human intervertebral disc is associated with increased vascularization: an immunohistologic study. Spine 32(12):1295–1302

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jung A, Brunschwig A (1932) Rescherches histologique des articulations des corps vertebeaux. La presse Medicale 40:316–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanayama M, Togawa D, Takahashi C, Terai T, Hashimoto T (2009) Cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging study of lumbar disc degeneration in 200 healthy individuals. J Neurosurg Spine 11(4):501–507. doi:10.3171/2009.5.spine08675

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kawakami M, Weinstein JN, Chatani K, Spratt KF, Meller ST, Gebhart GF (1994) Experimental lumbar radiculopathy. Behavioral and histologic changes in a model of radicular pain after spinal nerve root irritation with chromic gut ligatures in the rat. Spine 19(16):1795–1802

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kelsey JL, White AA 3rd (1980) Epidemiology and impact of low-back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 5(2):133–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keshari KR, Lotz JC, Link TM, Hu S, Majumdar S, Kurhanewicz J (2008) Lactic acid and proteoglycans as metabolic markers for discogenic back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 33(3):312–317. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e31816201c3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim CW, Perry A, Garfin SR (2005) Spinal instability: the orthopedic approach. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 9(1):77–87. doi:10.1055/s-2005-867098

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkaldy-Willis WH, Farfan HF (1982) Instability of the lumbar spine. Clin Orthop Relat Res 165:110–123

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kitamura Y, Kitagawa K, Fujitani Y, Shibata K, Araki H, Sendou T, Gomita Y (2007) The 5-HT(1A) receptor full agonist, 8-OH-DPAT inhibits ACTH-induced 5-HT(2A) receptor hyperfunction in rats: involvement of 5-HT(1A) receptors in the DOI-induced wet-dog shakes in ACTH-treated rats. Biol Pharm Bull 30(1):117–120

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kjaer P, Leboeuf-Yde C, Korsholm L, Sorensen JS, Bendix T (2005) Magnetic resonance imaging and low back pain in adults: a diagnostic imaging study of 40-year-old men and women. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 30(10):1173–1180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kong MH, Morishita Y, He W, Miyazaki M, Zhang H, Wu G, Hymanson HJ, Wang JC (2009) Lumbar segmental mobility according to the grade of the disc, the facet joint, the muscle, and the ligament pathology by using kinetic magnetic resonance imaging. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 34(23):2537–2544. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181b353ea

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuslich SD, Ulstrom CL, Michael CJ (1991) The tissue origin of low back pain and sciatica: a report of pain response to tissue stimulation during operations on the lumbar spine using local anesthesia. Orthop Clin North Am 22(2):181–187

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lessmann V (1998) Neurotrophin-dependent modulation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the mammalian CNS. Gen Pharmacol 31(5):667–674

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lindblom K (1948) Diagnostic puncture of intervertebral disks in sciatica. Acta Orthop Scand 17(3–4):231–239

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lisney SJ, Devor M (1987) Afterdischarge and interactions among fibers in damaged peripheral nerve in the rat. Brain Res 415(1):122–136

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu BP, Strittmatter SM (2001) Semaphorin-mediated axonal guidance via Rho-related G proteins. Curr Opin Cell Biol 13(5):619–626

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu B, Pang PT, Woo NH (2005) The yin and yang of neurotrophin action. Nat Rev Neurosci 6(8):603–614. doi:10.1038/nrn1726

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luschka H (1850) Die Nerven des menschlichen Wirbelkanales. Laupp und Siebeck, Tübingen

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutz GK, Butzlaff M, Schultz-Venrath U (2003) Looking back on back pain: trial and error of diagnoses in the 20th century. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 28(16):1899–1905. doi:10.1097/01.brs.0000083365.41261.cf

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malinsky J (1959) The ontogenetic development of nerve terminations in the intervertebral discs of man. (Histology of intervertebral discs, 11th communication). Acta Anat (Basel) 38:96–113

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manchikanti L, Manchikanti KN, Manchukonda R, Cash KA, Damron KS, Pampati V, McManus CD (2007) Evaluation of lumbar facet joint nerve blocks in the management of chronic low back pain: preliminary report of a randomized, double-blind controlled trial: clinical trial NCT00355914. Pain Physician 10(3):425–440

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Manchikanti L, Singh V, Falco FJ, Cash KA, Pampati V (2008) Lumbar facet joint nerve blocks in managing chronic facet joint pain: one-year follow-up of a randomized, double-blind controlled trial: clinical trial NCT00355914. Pain Physician 11(2):121–132

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martin WR, McNicholas LF, Cherian S (1982) Diazepam and pentobarbital dependence in the rat. Life Sci 31(8):721–730

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masini M, Paiva WS, Araujo AS Jr (2005) Anatomical description of the facet joint innervation and its implication in the treatment of recurrent back pain. J Neurosurg Sci 49(4):143–146; discussion 146

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy PW, Carruthers B, Martin D, Petts P (1991) Immunohistochemical demonstration of sensory nerve fibers and endings in lumbar intervertebral discs of the rat. Spine 16(6):653–655

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McLain RF (1993) Mechanoreceptor endings in human cervical facet joints. Iowa Orthop J 13:149–154

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Millan MJ, Emrich HM (1981) Endorphinergic systems and the response to stress. Psychother Psychosom 36(1):43–56

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moneta GB, Videman T, Kaivanto K, Aprill C, Spivey M, Vanharanta H, Sachs BL, Guyer RD, Hochschuler SH, Raschbaum RF et al (1994) Reported pain during lumbar discography as a function of anular ruptures and disc degeneration. A re-analysis of 833 discograms. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 19(17):1968–1974

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Monti JM, Carlini EA (1975) Spontaneous behavior and sleep-wakefulness cycle in isolated and paired REM sleep deprived-marihuana treated rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 3(6):1025–1029

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mooney V, Robertson J (1976) The facet syndrome. Clin Orthop Relat Res 115:149–156

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan FP, King T (1957) Primary instability of lumbar vertebrae as a common cause of low back pain. J Bone Joint Surg Br 39-B(1):6–22

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nachemson A (1969) Intradiscal measurements of pH in patients with lumbar rhizopathies. Acta Orthop Scand 40(1):23–42

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nachemson A, Jonsson E (2000) Ont i ryggen, ont i nacken. – En evidensbaserad kunskapssammanställningom orsaker, diagnostik och Behandling. SBU Statens Berednings för medicinsk Utvärdering, Stockholm, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamae T, Ochi M, Olmarker K (2011) Pharmacological inhibition of tumor necrosis factor may reduce pain behavior changes induced by experimental disc puncture in the rat: an experimental study in rats. Spine 36(15):232–236. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181d8bef3

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura S, Takahashi K, Takahashi Y, Morinaga T, Shimada Y, Moriya H (1996) Origin of nerves supplying the posterior portion of lumbar intervertebral discs in rats. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 21(8):917–924

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura F, Kalb RG, Strittmatter SM (2000) Molecular basis of semaphorin-mediated axon guidance. J Neurobiol 44(2):219–229

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Newman Dorland WA (2007) Dorland’s illustrated medical dictionary, 31st edn. Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishida K, Gilbertson LG, Robbins PD, Evans CH, Kang JD (2000) Potential applications of gene therapy to the treatment of intervertebral disc disorders. Clin Orthop Relat Res (379 Suppl):S234–S241

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohtori S, Inoue G, Ito T, Koshi T, Ozawa T, Doya H, Saito T, Moriya H, Takahashi K (2006) Tumor necrosis factor-immunoreactive cells and PGP 9.5-immunoreactive nerve fibers in vertebral endplates of patients with discogenic low back pain and Modic Type 1 or Type 2 changes on MRI. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 31(9):1026–1031. doi:10.1097/01.brs.0000215027.87102.7c

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olmarker K (2005) Neovascularization and neoinnervation of subcutaneously placed nucleus pulposus and the inhibitory effects of certain drugs. Spine 30(13):1501–1504

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olmarker K (2008) Puncture of a lumbar intervertebral disc induces changes in spontaneous pain behavior: an experimental study in rats. Spine 33(8):850–855

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olmarker K (2011) Puncture of a disc and application of nucleus pulposus induces disc herniation-like changes and osteophytes. An experimental study in rats. Open Orthop J 5:154–159

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olmarker K, Myers RR (1998) Pathogenesis of sciatic pain: role of herniated nucleus pulposus and deformation of spinal nerve root and dorsal root ganglion. Pain 78(2):99–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olmarker K, Iwabuchi M, Larsson K, Rydevik B (1998) Walking analysis of rats subjected to experimental disc herniation. Eur Spine J 7(5):394–399

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olmarker K, Storkson R, Berge OG (2002) Pathogenesis of sciatic pain: a study of spontaneous behavior in rats exposed to experimental disc herniation. Spine 27(12):1312–1317

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olmarker K, Nutu M, Storkson R (2003) Changes in spontaneous behavior in rats exposed to experimental disc herniation are blocked by selective TNF-alpha inhibition. Spine 28(15):1635–1641; discussion 1642

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olsen AK (1950) Disc degeneration: a distinct clinical entity. J Nerv Ment Dis 112(3):262–263

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orita S, Eguchi Y, Kamoda H, Arai G, Ishikawa T, Miyagi M, Inoue G, Suzuki M, Toyone T, Aoki Y, Takahashi K, Ohtori S (2011) Brain-derived neurotrophic factor inhibition at the punctured intervertebral disc downregulates the production of calcitonin gene-related peptide in dorsal root ganglia in rats. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 36(21):1737–1743. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e31821d7b9f

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osti OL, Vernon-Roberts B, Moore R, Fraser RD (1992) Annular tears and disc degeneration in the lumbar spine. A post-mortem study of 135 discs. J Bone Joint Surg Br 74(5):678–682

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ozaktay AC, Cavanaugh JM, Blagoev DC, Getchell TV, King AI (1994) Effects of a carrageenan-induced inflammation in rabbit lumbar facet joint capsule and adjacent tissues. Neurosci Res 20(4):355–364

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palmgren T, Gronblad M, Virri J, Kaapa E, Karaharju E (1999) An immunohistochemical study of nerve structures in the anulus fibrosus of human normal lumbar intervertebral discs. Spine 24(20):2075–2079

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Papir-Kricheli D, Frey J, Laufer R, Gilon C, Chorev M, Selinger Z, Devor M (1987) Behavioural effects of receptor-specific substance P agonists. Pain 31(2):263–276

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pattrick M, Hamilton E, Wilson R, Austin S, Doherty M (1993) Association of radiographic changes of osteoarthritis, symptoms, and synovial fluid particles in 300 knees. Ann Rheum Dis 52(2):97–103

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen HE, Blunck CF, Gardner E (1956) The anatomy of lumbosacral posterior rami and meningeal branches of spinal nerve (sinu-vertebral nerves); with an experimental study of their functions. J Bone Joint Surg Am 38-A(2):377–391

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peng B, Wu W, Hou S, Li P, Zhang C, Yang Y (2005) The pathogenesis of discogenic low back pain. J Bone Joint Surg Br 87(1):62–67

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peng B, Hao J, Hou S, Wu W, Jiang D, Fu X, Yang Y (2006a) Possible pathogenesis of painful intervertebral disc degeneration. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 31(5):560–566. doi:10.1097/01.brs.0000201324.45537.46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng B, Hou S, Wu W, Zhang C, Yang Y (2006b) The pathogenesis and clinical significance of a high-intensity zone (HIZ) of lumbar intervertebral disc on MR imaging in the patient with discogenic low back pain. Eur Spine J 15(5):583–587

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pope MH, Panjabi M (1985) Biomechanical definitions of spinal instability. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 10(3):255–256

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Purmessur D, Freemont AJ, Hoyland JA (2008) Expression and regulation of neurotrophins in the nondegenerate and degenerate human intervertebral disc. Arthritis Res Ther 10(4):R99. doi:10.1186/ar2487

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajasekaran S, Vidyadhara S, Subbiah M, Kamath V, Karunanithi R, Shetty AP, Venkateswaran K, Babu M, Meenakshi J (2010) ISSLS prize winner: a study of effects of in vivo mechanical forces on human lumbar discs with scoliotic disc as a biological model: results from serial postcontrast diffusion studies, histopathology and biochemical analysis of twenty-one human lumbar scoliotic discs. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 35(21):1930–1943. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181e9a156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rang HP, Bevan S, Dray A (1991) Chemical activation of nociceptive peripheral neurones. Br Med Bull 47(3):534–548

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raoul S, Faure A, Robert R, Rogez JM, Hamel O, Cuillere P, Le Borgne J (2003) Role of the sinu-vertebral nerve in low back pain and anatomical basis of therapeutic implications. Surg Radiol Anat 24(6):366–371. doi:10.1007/s00276-002-0084-8

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rasminsky M (1987) Spontaneous activity and cross-talk in pathological nerve fibers. Res Publ Assoc Res Nerv Ment Dis 65:39–49

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Risbud MV, Shapiro IM, Vaccaro AR, Albert TJ (2004) Stem cell regeneration of the nucleus pulposus. Spine J 4(6 Suppl):348S–353S. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2004.07.031

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts S (2002) Disc morphology in health and disease. Biochem Soc Trans 30(Pt 6):864–869. doi:10.1042/BST0300864

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts S, Eisenstein SM, Menage J, Evans EH, Ashton IK (1995) Mechanoreceptors in intervertebral discs. Morphology, distribution, and neuropeptides. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 20(24):2645–2651

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriquez-Enchandia EL, Broitman ST, Foscolo M, Gonzales A (1986) Gamma-vinyl-GABA injection in the locus coeruleus region of the rat. Effect on spontaneous behavior and stress responses. Adv Biochem Psychopharmacol 42:93–102

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rohm B, Ottemeyer A, Lohrum M, Puschel AW (2000) Plexin/neuropilin complexes mediate repulsion by the axonal guidance signal semaphorin 3A. Mech Dev 93(1–2):95–104

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roofe PG (1940) Innervation of annulus fibrosusand posterior longitudinal ligament. Arch Neurol Psychiatry 44:110–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rose CP, Cockshott WP (1982) Anterior femoral erosion and patello-femoral osteoarthritis. J Can Assoc Radiol 33(1):32–34

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ross JS, Modic MT, Masaryk TJ (1989) Tears of the anulus fibrosus: assessment with Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 10(6):1251–1254

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saifuddin A, Mitchell R, Taylor BA (1999) Extradural inflammation associated with annular tears: demonstration with gadolinium-enhanced lumbar spine MRI. Eur Spine J 8(1):34–39

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakai D, Mochida J, Yamamoto Y, Nomura T, Okuma M, Nishimura K, Nakai T, Ando K, Hotta T (2003) Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells embedded in Atelocollagen gel to the intervertebral disc: a potential therapeutic model for disc degeneration. Biomaterials 24(20):3531–3541

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Samartzis D, Karppinen J, Mok F, Fong DY, Luk KD, Cheung KM (2011) A population-based study of juvenile disc degeneration and its association with overweight and obesity, low back pain, and diminished functional status. J Bone Joint Surg Am 93(7):662–670. doi:10.2106/jbjs.i.01568

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schellhas KP, Pollei SR, Gundry CR, Heithoff KB (1996) Lumbar disc high-intensity zone. Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging and discography. Spine 21(1):79–86

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmorl G (1929) Über knorpelknoten an der Hinterfläsche der Wirbelbandscheiben. Fortschr Geb Rontgenstr 40:629–634

    Google Scholar 

  • Shao Z, Rompe G, Schiltenwolf M (2002) Radiographic changes in the lumbar intervertebral discs and lumbar vertebrae with age. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 27(3):263–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skaper SD (2008) The biology of neurotrophins, signalling pathways, and functional peptide mimetics of neurotrophins and their receptors. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 7(1):46–62

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith L (1964) Enzyme dissolution of the nucleus pulposus in humans. JAMA 187:137–140

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stadnik TW, Lee RR, Coen HL, Neirynck EC, Buisseret TS, Osteaux MJ (1998) Annular tears and disk herniation: prevalence and contrast enhancement on MR images in the absence of low back pain or sciatica. Radiology 206(1):49–55

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Staiger TO, Paauw DS, Deyo RA, Jarvik JG (1999) Imaging studies for acute low back pain. When and when not to order them. Postgrad Med 105(4):161–162, 165–166, 171–162

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stout A (2010) Discography. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 21(4):859–867. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2010.07.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sugiura A, Ohtori S, Yamashita M, Inoue G, Yamauchi K, Koshi T, Suzuki M, Norimoto M, Orita S, Eguchi Y, Takahashi Y, Watanabe TS, Ochiai N, Takaso M, Takahashi K (2008) Existence of nerve growth factor receptors, tyrosine kinase a and p75 neurotrophin receptors in intervertebral discs and on dorsal root ganglion neurons innervating intervertebral discs in rats. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 33(19):2047–2051. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e31817f8d58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sward L, Hellstrom M, Jacobsson B, Peterson L (1990) Back pain and radiologic changes in the thoraco-lumbar spine of athletes. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 15(2):124–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi K, Miyazaki T, Ohnari H, Takino T, Tomita K (1995) Schmorl’s nodes and low-back pain. Analysis of magnetic resonance imaging findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Eur Spine J 4(1):56–59

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi Y, Ohtori S, Takahashi K (2009) Peripheral nerve pathways of afferent fibers innervating the lumbar spine in rats. J Pain 10(4):416–425. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2008.10.012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi Y, Ohtori S, Takahashi K (2010) Dorsoventral organization of sensory nerves in the lumbar spine as indicated by double labeling of dorsal root ganglion neurons. J Orthop Sci 15(4):578–583. doi:10.1007/s00776-010-1482-0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Takatalo J, Karppinen J, Niinimaki J, Taimela S, Nayha S, Jarvelin MR, Kyllonen E, Tervonen O (2009) Prevalence of degenerative imaging findings in lumbar magnetic resonance imaging among young adults. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 34(16):1716–1721. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181ac5fec

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takebayashi T, Cavanaugh JM, Kallakuri S, Chen C, Yamashita T (2006) Sympathetic afferent units from lumbar intervertebral discs. J Bone Joint Surg Br 88(4):554–557. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.88B4.17194, 88-B/4/554 [pii]

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson KJ, Dagher AP, Eckel TS, Clark M, Reinig JW (2009) Modic changes on MR images as studied with provocative diskography: clinical relevance – a retrospective study of 2457 disks. Radiology 250(3):849–855. doi:10.1148/radiol.2503080474

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tolofari SK, Richardson SM, Freemont AJ, Hoyland JA (2010) Expression of semaphorin 3A and its receptors in the human intervertebral disc: potential role in regulating neural ingrowth in the degenerate intervertebral disc. Arthritis Res Ther 12(1):R1. doi:10.1186/ar2898

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Treptow K, Bondarenko NA, Waldmann AW, Oehme P (1986) The effect of substance P on the swimming behavior of rats under stressing and nonstressing conditions. Pharmazie 41(8):578–580

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Twomey L, Taylor J (1985) Age changes in lumbar intervertebral discs. Acta Orthop Scand 56(6):496–499

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Roy P, Barbaix E, Clarijs JP, Mense S (2001) Anatomical background of low back pain: variability and degeneration of the lumbar spinal canal and intervertebral disc. Schmerz 15(6):418–424. doi:10.1007/s004820100026

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Videman T, Nurminen M (2004) The occurrence of anular tears and their relation to lifetime back pain history: a cadaveric study using barium sulfate discography. Spine 29(23):2668–2676

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vos BP, Strassman AM, Maciewicz RJ (1994) Behavioral evidence of trigeminal neuropathic pain following chronic constriction injury to the rat’s infraorbital nerve. J Neurosci 14(5 Pt 1):2708–2723

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang ZX, Hu YG, Chen XM (2008) Significance of the high-intensity zone located in the posterior annulus fibrosus for diagnosing discogenic low back pain. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 88(35):2478–2481

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weber R, Ramos-Cabrer P, Wiedermann D, van Camp N, Hoehn M (2006) A fully noninvasive and robust experimental protocol for longitudinal fMRI studies in the rat. Neuroimage 29(4):1303–1310. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2005.08.028

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wehling P, Schulitz KP, Robbins PD, Evans CH, Reinecke JA (1997) Transfer of genes to chondrocytic cells of the lumbar spine. Proposal for a treatment strategy of spinal disorders by local gene therapy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 22(10):1092–1097

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weinstein J, Claverie W, Gibson S (1988) The pain of discography. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 13(12):1344–1348

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weishaupt D, Zanetti M, Hodler J, Boos N (1998) MR imaging of the lumbar spine: prevalence of intervertebral disk extrusion and sequestration, nerve root compression, end plate abnormalities, and osteoarthritis of the facet joints in asymptomatic volunteers. Radiology 209(3):661–666

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Willburger RE, Wittenberg RH (1994) Prostaglandin release from lumbar disc and facet joint tissue. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 19(18):2068–2070

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wuttke W, Hoffmeister F (1968) Changes in the spontaneous behavior of cats induced by chlordiazepoxide and chlorpromazine. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Exp Pathol Pharmakol 260(2):221–222

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamada H, Honda T, Yaginuma H, Kikuchi S, Sugiura Y (2001) Comparison of sensory and sympathetic innervation of the dura mater and posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine after removal of the stellate ganglion. J Comp Neurol 434(1):86–100

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon ST, Park JS, Kim KS, Li J, Attallah-Wasif ES, Hutton WC, Boden SD (2004) ISSLS prize winner: LMP-1 upregulates intervertebral disc cell production of proteoglycans and BMPs in vitro and in vivo. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 29(23):2603–2611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshizawa H, O’Brien JP, Smith WT, Trumper M (1980) The neuropathology of intervertebral discs removed for low-back pain. J Pathol 132(2):95–104

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang N, Li FC, Huang YJ, Teng C, Chen WS (2010) Possible key role of immune system in Schmorl’s nodes. Med Hypotheses 74(3):552–554. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2009.09.044

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann M (1984) Basic concepts of pain and pain therapy. Arzneimittelforschung 34(9A):1053–1059

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

AFA Insurance, Stiftelsen Olle Engkvist Byggmästare, and the Spine Society of Europe Task Force on Research

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Medical Chemistry and Cell biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 440, Medicinaregatan 9A, SE-405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Kjell Olmarker MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Kjell Olmarker MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kjell Olmarker MD, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Jefferson Medical College Div Ortho Rsch/Dept Othro Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Irving M. Shapiro

  2. Jefferson Medical College Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Makarand V. Risbud

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag Wien

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Olmarker, K. (2014). Back Pain and Disc Degeneration: Are They Really Linked?. In: Shapiro, I., Risbud, M. (eds) The Intervertebral Disc. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1535-0_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1535-0_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-1534-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-1535-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation