title: Morphology and properties of intervertebral discs - selected issues (part I).
abstract: Back pain is a major public health problem in industrialized countries. Own experience and literature review confirms that back pain is strongly associated with degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Disc degeneration alters disc height and their physics and chemistry. Those changes alter mechanics of the rest of the spinal column, possibly adversely affecting the behaviour of other spinal structures such as muscles and ligaments. <br /> Authors shortly review the morphology and selected properties of normal discs and the changes that arise during degeneration what may influence an understanding of the etiology of this disorder and its treatment.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Anatomii Prawidłowej Centrum Biostruktury, Akademia Medyczna, Warszawa; Katedra i Klinika Ortopedii i Traumatologii Narzadu Ruchu, Akademia Medyczna, Warszawa.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Glinkowski
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ciszek