ABSTRACT
Intervertebral disk degeneration leading to disk prolapse is a leading cause of chronic disability in both sexes. Clinical symptoms can range from little or no pain if the disk is the only tissue involved to severe back pain associated with sensory or motor deficits in regions served by affected nerve roots that are irritated or compressed by the prolapsed disk. The disk absorbs the considerable hydrostatic pressure that results from mechanical loading of the spine. Endplate tissue is rich hyaline cartilage, which acts to bind the disk to the overlying vertebral bones. Disk herniations can also be classified by the anatomic location within zones along the circumference of the annulus fibrosus in which the protrusion occurs. The primary urodynamic findings in symptomatic disk disease are diminished or absent detrusor contractility, often with impaired external sphincter activity and function.
