Basic and update knowledge of intervertebral disc herniation: review

Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common causes of low back pain and/or sciatica. However, the pathogenesis of lumbar disc herniation, low back pain, and sciatica has not been fully understood. Inflammation in nerve root and dorsal root ganglia induced by nucleus pulposus may play an important role in the pathogenesis of spinal pain. I reviewed the basic and update papers regarding lumbar disc herniation. Herniated nucleus pulposus had been considered an enchondroma occurred from intervertebral disc, historically. At present, however, it is emphasized that nucleus pulposus has an inflammatogenic properties to affect the nerve root function, structure, vascular permeability, and pain.