Dr Adriaan Liebenberg My Spine Explained | Page 13

B
C
D
A
Image used with permission from Medtronic
Figure 2.1
This is an illustration of a collapsed, inflamed lumbar disc, A, that is com-
pressing a nerve root, B, leaving the spinal canal.
When the disc collapses, it does not support the weight of the spine the way
it should and the weight is transferred to the facet joint, C, which becomes
inflamed and arthritic. The distance between the spinous processes, D, is also
reduced, causing them to rub against each other.
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