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Slipped Discs

For approximately 5% of the population, a stress fracture occurs (usually between the ages of five and seven) in the lowest lumbar vertebral segment.



As a result, vertebral body slips forward often resulting in no noticeable symptoms. Probably 80% of people never even know they have the problem but 20% do develop low back pain, usually due to disc degeneration in young adulthood.

Without the stabilizing effect of the bony arch, the disc is forced to work harder to resist shear forces (forward subluxation). The disc is designed to function very effectively in compression, but tends to break down when shear forces are applied to it.

Pain can also come from the fracture itself, and the reparative tissue within may become irritated and generate pain. Some patients experience leg pain due to nerve pinching. The leg pain will generally be worse when the patient stands or walks.
Did You Know?

Spondylolisthesis is a Latin term for "slipped vertebral body"

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