Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction01:27

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction

Degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition in which intervertebral discs gradually lose structure and function. It is not infectious or autoimmune; rather, it results from age-related biochemical and mechanical changes, influenced by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors.Structure and Function of DiscsThe spine contains 23 intervertebral discs that absorb load, distribute forces, maintain spacing, and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core...
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction01:29

Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients01:15

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

SUBCUT HF II: rationale and design of a multicentre randomized controlled trial of SUBCUTaneous furosemide to support early discharge in patients admitted to hospital due to Heart Failure.

European journal of heart failure·2026
Same author

Effect of Sevoflurane Concentration, Blood Pressure, Arterial Carbon Dioxide Tension, Temperature, and Stimulation on Spinal Cord Blood Flow in Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery: An Exploratory Study.

Anesthesiology·2026
Same author

Timely Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures: Improving Compliance With National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma (BOAST) Guidelines.

Cureus·2025
Same author

Spinal Cord Blood Flow, Metabolism, and Neurological Outcome in Patients with Acute, Severe Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries.

Neurocritical care·2025
Same author

The use of the NeVa stent-retriever for bail-out mechanical thrombectomy.

Interventional neuroradiology : journal of peritherapeutic neuroradiology, surgical procedures and related neurosciences·2025
Same author

Prolapsed pedunculated lipoma: a cause of rectosigmoid intussusception.

BMJ case reports·2025
Same journal

Gamma Knife, its optimal use - a Letter.

British journal of neurosurgery·2026
Same journal

Preoperative visualization and intraoperative functional assessment of a long medullary artery in glioblastoma surgery using ultra-high-resolution intra-arterial Computed tomography angiography: an illustrative case.

British journal of neurosurgery·2026
Same journal

Robotic platforms in neurosurgery: the great disappearing act.

British journal of neurosurgery·2026
Same journal

Morphological parameters contributing to aneurysm rupture: Identifying the rogue from the mugshot using different statistical methods.

British journal of neurosurgery·2026
Same journal

Does early surgical intervention for type II dens fractures improve survival in octogenarians? A propensity-matched analysis.

British journal of neurosurgery·2026
Same journal

A single-centre experience of fluoroscopic-guided erector spinae plane blocks in degenerative lumbar spine surgery.

British journal of neurosurgery·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Videos

Acute disc herniation in the elderly.

Melissa C Werndle1, Abbas Reza, Ken Wong

  • 1Academic Neurosurgery Unit, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, UK.

British Journal of Neurosurgery
|November 15, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Acute disc prolapse is uncommon in elderly patients but distinct from younger individuals. This condition in older adults often affects the upper lumbar and lower thoracic spine.

Related Experiment Videos

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Spinal Surgery

Background:

  • Acute disc prolapse is well-documented in young adults.
  • Limited research exists on acute disc prolapse in the elderly population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the features of acute disc prolapse in elderly patients.
  • To compare elderly patients with a younger cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of elderly (≥ 65 years) patients undergoing discectomy for acute disc prolapse (July 2004 - March 2010).
  • Comparison with a younger patient cohort (25-45 years).
  • Data collected: age, symptom onset, preoperative signs, and spinal level of prolapse.

Main Results:

  • Elderly patients constituted 7.4% of the 390 discectomy cases.
  • Significant differences in prolapsed disc levels between young and elderly groups.
  • Young patients: 97% at L4/5 or L5/S1. Elderly patients: <50% at these levels, with ~10% thoracic disc prolapse.

Conclusions:

  • Acute disc prolapse is rare in the elderly.
  • The condition primarily impacts the upper lumbar and lower thoracic spine in older individuals.