What does endplate degeneration mean?

Associated Conditions 2 When endplates begin to deteriorate, inflammation increases and lesions can develop. Studies have found evidence that such lesions on endplates in the lumbar region of the back are associated with low back pain. 3 In its advanced stages, endplate degeneration is called endplate sclerosis.

What is vertebral endplate?

A vertebral end plate is the transition region where a vertebral body and intervertebral disc interface with each other. A vertebral end plate is commonly described as consisting of 2 layers: Cartilaginous layer (also called cartilaginous endplate) that fuses with the disc.

What causes endplate degenerative changes?

There are several current theories about the etiology of vertebral endplate changes. In their initial paper, Modic et al. postulated that the changes were a result of primary mechanical stress on the endplates. Subsequent studies identified lumbar instability as a mechanical factor associated with type 1 changes.

What does Discogenic mean?

Discogenic pain is pain originating from a damaged vertebral disc, particularly due to degenerative disc disease. However, not all degenerated discs cause pain. Disc degeneration occurs naturally with age.

What does Modic endplate changes mean?

Modic type I endplate change is the most controversial and important of the three types described (see Modic endplate change). It is seen on MRI of the spine and represents the presence of low T1 and high T2 signal within the bone marrow of a vertebral body adjacent to a disk. Type 1 change can enhance and be painful.

Does drinking water help degenerative disc disease?

Drinking water and keeping properly hydrated in general supports disc health, and the best way to help with degenerative disc disease is through prevention, including drinking water. Exercises for your back and maintaining a healthy body weight will also help prevent or mitigate degenerative disc disease.

What does discogenic back pain feel like?

The main symptom of discogenic pain is an aching pain localized in your back. Unlike many kinds of back pain, discogenic back pain doesn’t refer to your leg or arm and does not impact your ability to use your limbs.

What are Discogenic changes in the spine?

Discogenic degenerative changes happen to everyone to some degree or another as a result of the natural aging process. The term discogenic means a disorder originating from the spinal discs, while degeneration refers to a breakdown of the discs that is usually a result of getting older.

What is endplate spurring?

Endplate osteophytes: Bone spurs that develop at the top or bottom edges of the vertebrae where they interact with the disc. Multilevel endplate osteophytes: Bone spurs that develop at both the top and bottom endplates, thereby affecting more than one vertebra or vertebral disc.

Are there end plate oedema and end plate sclerosis?

End plate oedema and end plate sclerosis are present in a large proportion of mixed types. The signal intensity changes in the the vertebral body bone marrow adjacent to the end plates are commonly seen on MRI.

Which is the most common end plate oedematous change?

(1) End plate oedema: of the 2760 end plates (276 patients) examined, 302 end plates showed Modic changes, of which 82 end plates showed mixed Modic changes. The mixed Modic changes contain 92.7% of oedematous changes. The mixed types especially Types I–II and Types II–I made up the majority of end plate oedematous changes.

What do you need to know about vertebral end plates?

A vertebral end plate is the transition region where a vertebral body and intervertebral disc interface with each other. A vertebral end plate is commonly described as consisting of 2 layers: Nutrients pass into the intervertebral disc through the vertebral end plate. The cartilaginous layer of the vertebral endplate also helps maintain

What are the changes in the Modic vertebral endplate?

In their original study, Modic et al 2 analyzed histopathologic sections from 3 patients with type 1 changes and 3 patients with type 2 changes. The authors found that type 1 changes were associated with disruption and fissuring of endplates and formation of a fibrovascular granulation tissue.