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Function of the degenerate disc: The significance of Intra Discal Vacuum Phenomenon (IDVP) in the lumbar spine

Cawley, Derek T.

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https://hdl.handle.net/10379/19143
 https://doi.org/10.13025/29937

Date

2025-09-01

Keywords

University of Galway Theses , disc degeneration , spine , lumbopelvic morphology , pelvic incidence , sagittal balance , deformity , population study , Medicine , Surgery

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doctoral thesis

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Citation

Abstract

The degenerative process within the lumbar spine has become a large part of spine surgery in westernised society. It encompasses muscular, intra-discal, ligamentous contributions and with advanced aging, bone health and more global sagittal balance disequilibrium. Studies of the spinal column have over the last 30 years included significant analyses of its architecture and morphology. Where deficits present from degeneration of the lumbar spine, most of this is from collapse of the intervertebral disc, which wears out, becoming empty and degenerate and leads to a loss of posture in the aging lumbar spine. The empty disc often remains mobile and manifests as an intradiscal vacuum phenomenon (IDVP), the significance of which we investigate as a central theme in this thesis

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Publisher

University of Galway

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License

CC BY-NC-ND

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University of Galway Theses (PhD Theses)