Common Causes Of A Spinal Cord Injury

Disk Degeneration

As with other medical conditions that cause damage to the spine, disk degeneration (degenerative disk disease) can lead to a spinal cord injury. This occurs when natural changes within the spinal disks lead to pain. These disks function like shock absorbers that keep the vertebrae from rubbing against each other. They are vital to the flexibility of an individual's back, allowing them to twist and bend in multiple directions. During the aging process, the disks tend to wear down. They might start to break down and fail to work as well, leading to decreased mobility and increased pain. The disease can be caused by a few different changes to the spinal disks. After birth, the spinal disks are mainly made of water. During the aging process, they become thinner and lose water, which impairs the shock-absorbing ability and cushioning. The older an individual gets, the more issues they may experience. In addition, the outer shell of the disks might crack due to the stress from minor injuries and everyday movements built up over the years.

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