The so-called degeneration is the abbreviation of degeneration, which can be roughly understood as “aging”. Taking the knee joint as an example, knee joint degeneration refers to the decline of cell function in the knee joint (for example: chondrocytes cannot effectively produce cartilage), slow nutrient supply (for example: malnutrition or decreased digestion and absorption), and low circulation and metabolism efficiency ( Systematic and irreversible degeneration and aging caused by reasons such as lack of synovial fluid), long-term accumulation of chronic injuries (eg: strain), etc. The intuitive consequences are cartilage wear, osteophytes, joint deformities, and muscle atrophy. Pain, deformity and dysfunction caused by other problems. The same is true for the lumbar spine. The degeneration of the lumbar spine begins with the degeneration of the lumbar intervertebral disc. If the degeneration of the intervertebral disc can be prevented or delayed, the occurrence of lumbar spondylosis can be prevented.
Unfortunately, degeneration is the eternal theme of life. What we can do is not to prevent the degeneration of the disc, but to ensure that there are no accidents; what we can do is not to extend the “design life” of the disc, but to ensure that the disc can be maintained until its designed life. performance as it should.
Several factors that influence the progression of lumbar disc degeneration are listed below.
genetic factors
Genes are the blueprint for human development. Genes are inherited. In the process of inheritance from generation to generation, genes may change due to polymorphism, variation, damage, etc., and human beings have thus produced diversity: this is the basic condition for human evolution, but it is also often cause an accident.
Take the intervertebral disc as an example. Everyone’s intervertebral disc is different: some intervertebral discs are sensitive to pressure, and cells will release inflammatory factors when the pressure is too high; some intervertebral discs are sensitive to tiny fissures and often self Matrix-breaking enzymes are released to initiate “self-destruction” programs; other discs have weak endplates and are more prone to fractures…all of which are genetically related. The “design age” of an intervertebral disc is determined by each person’s genes.
Studies have shown that the influence of genetic factors is even more than 70% in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration. But don’t worry too much, because simple genetic factors will not cause the intervertebral disc to show symptoms due to early degeneration, and only when combined with the following factors will cause damage and disease.
External Forces
Studies show that endplates are often damaged by unconventional pressure . The endplate is the cartilage tissue on the upper and lower ends of the intervertebral disc, which has the function of maintaining the shape of the intervertebral disc and is also the main way of nutrition and metabolism of the intervertebral disc. Unfortunately, the endplate is more fragile than the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, and can break and fracture under excessive stress.
In order to avoid the damage of the intervertebral disc endplate caused by external force, it is necessary to avoid bending over and lifting heavy objects as much as possible, and avoid engaging in physical activities when the muscles of the lower back are fatigued. At the same time, it is also necessary to improve the core muscle strength of the waist, abdomen and pelvis through appropriate physical exercise, so that the strong muscles can provide dynamic support for the lumbar spine.
Metabolism and Nutrient Exchange
Cells within the disc need to remain viable if they are to remain viable. To supply a certain amount of nutrients, it is also necessary to discharge metabolic wastes, which requires the vigorous cooperation of the endplate (the intervertebral disc has no blood vessels, which is the largest avascular tissue in the human body).
First, the integrity and health of the endplate must be ensured, and the second must be reasonable, periodic pressure changes. Therefore, moderate exercise is as important as bed rest. Only through relaxation and a combination of work and rest can the metabolic efficiency of the intervertebral disc be ensured to the greatest extent.
underlying diseases and smoking
diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, etc. Problems can further reduce the already low metabolic efficiency of the discs; smoking has a similar effect.
Studies have shown that people with underlying metabolic diseases and smokers have a higher risk of accelerated degeneration of the intervertebral disc. When these factors are combined with other factors, the accelerated degeneration of the intervertebral disc is inevitable.
lack of exercise
Remember not to sit for long periods of time, let alone prolonged bed rest. Even if you have lumbar spondylosis, try to maintain your daily activities as much as possible. Young adults should strengthen physical exercise to improve muscle strength and bone mass, and elderly people should also ensure the normal operation of metabolic functions through moderate exercise.
Life is movement, and as long as we want to retain the function of movement, this sentence will never be out of date.
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