What are spinal endplates?

Vertebral body endplates are anatomically-discrete structures that form the interface between the vertebral bodies and the adjacent intervertebral discs. They are constituted peripherally by an epiphyseal bone ring and centrally by a cartilaginous layer.

Where is the endplate in the spine?

A vertebral end plate is the transition region where a vertebral body and intervertebral disc interface with each other. A vertebral end plate is commonly described as consisting of 2 layers: Cartilaginous layer (also called cartilaginous endplate) that fuses with the disc.

What is distraction in spinal surgery?

Distraction is the term spine surgeons used to describe the separation of the vertebrae to place devices between them. This occurs in artificial disc replacement and fusion surgeries, and even with surgeries where the disc remains in tact.

What is sclerosis of the spine?

Narrowing of the intervertebral disc space with sclerosis of the adjacent vertebral bodies may occur as a consequence of infection, neoplasia, trauma, or rheumatic disease. Some patients have been described with backache and these radiological appearances without any primary cause being apparent.

What can you do for degenerative changes in the spine?

Degenerative disc disease occurs when your spinal disks break down. When these disks wear out, people typically experience back pain and stiffness. You may find pain relief with nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy and spinal injection.

What causes degenerative endplate changes?

There are several current theories about the etiology of vertebral endplate changes. In their initial paper, Modic et al. postulated that the changes were a result of primary mechanical stress on the endplates. Subsequent studies identified lumbar instability as a mechanical factor associated with type 1 changes.

How do you code a spinal fusion in ICD 10?

2021 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M43. 20: Fusion of spine, site unspecified.

Is spinal sclerosis the same as MS?

While spinal and brain lesions can suggest MS, the appearance of spinal lesions can also indicate another disease called neuromyelitis optica (NMO). NMO has many overlapping symptoms with MS. Both NMO and MS are characterized by lesions and inflammation of the CNS.

What are the vertebral end plates made of?

Vertebral End Plates Definition. Vertebral end plates are the top and bottom portions of the vertebral bodies that interface with the vertebral discs. The vertebral end plate is composed of a layer of thickened cancellous bone, The force imposed on the endplate from major load bearing or a herniated disc can cause end-plate abnormality…

How are vertebral endplate changes related to back pain?

Vertebral endplate degenerative changes are significantly associated with back pain, with type 1 changes showing the strongest association. 4,5 Most patients with Modic changes also have concurrent evidence of disc degeneration. 6 Modic changes are rare in asymptomatic patients.

How is decortication used in the spinal fusion process?

Decortication has been shown to promote the fusion process and provides not only a rich source of vascular supply … Despite the development of innovative approaches and the general success that has been achieved with spinal fusion, the rate of nonunion in some studies has been reported as high as 35%.

How are vertebral endplate changes redefined with MRI?

Vertebral endplate changes were redefined with the advent of MRI, which enabled visualization of previously unrecognized alterations in marrow signal. Modic et al. proposed a formal classification of these changes in 1988. 1 Two types of endplate changes were originally described, with a third type subsequently added in a later publication: 2, 3