Natural Disc Fusion Progression

[sequence]

Hi Wobbly
I'm not sure if I understand you correctly.
Are you under the impression that as the disc loses its height and the two vertebral bodies move closer together that they will fuse together because of that?

In fact the opposite could happen and there could be more of an instability because there could be an increased laxity in the little ligaments that are usually taut when the vertebrae are not as close together. I hope this makes sence?

Anyway, the closer the bony parts are to each other, the more friction between them and this causes osteo-arthritic changes, which then will cause the joints to stiffen. But generally the joints don't physically fuse together.

And no there is no way of telling timewise what the progression of this would be.

I hope this answers your question?

Greetings

[Wobbly]

Well, both my GP and the Consultant have told me that the vertebrae will eventually fuse of their own accord as the disc continues to degenerate and eventually gets rubbed away by the vertebrae rubbing together.

I know there will be arthritic changes and gradual disintegration of the bone surfaces before that happens.

Oh, and just to confirm, my dad was given exactly the same advice over 20 years ago: "cope with the pain, take painkillers and wait for it to fuse".

There is also only one 'joint' involved and it is the bones that fuse together!