Schmorl's NodeOne thing is for sure… The simple existence of a Schmorl’s condition is not indicative of a spinal problem and is not inherently painful or problematic. Most schmorl's conditions are discovered when imaging the spine after an injury or as part of the diagnostic process to ascertain the underlying source of an existing back or neck pain complaint. Research shows no direct correlation between the presence of pain and the demonstration of nodes in the vertebral bones. It should be noted that most diagnosed cases are mild, although far more serious and invasive node formation can occur, possible compromising the integrity of the vertebral body. What is a Schmorl's Node?
Nodes occur when part of an
intervertebral disc
somehow winds up inside a cavity in an adjacent vertebral body. Whether the cavity is created due to force exerted by the disc or whether the disc simply fills an existing cavity is not always known. In some cases, infiltration is minor and cosmetic, while in other cases, the disc may reach far into the vertebral marrow and possibly cause inflammation, infection or even
vertebral fracture.
The reasons why nodes occur are not completely known, but most doctors believe they can exist due to any number of the following possible explanations: Congenital defects may cause a node to form before birth or during early development. Dietary or nutritional deficiency resulting in
low bone density
issues can cause hollows in the vertebral bones which might become nodes. Disease processes or tissue necrosis conditions can increase the risk for node formation. Schmorl's Node AdviceIt is crucial to understand that many nodes present no danger and should simply be monitored for problematic changes in the future, rather than actively treated. For deep nodes which intercept the bone marrow, complications are more common and can be severe. In these cases, surgery is sometimes appropriate or even required to insure general health and stabilize the region.Many patients have written to me with so called possible nodes diagnosed via MRI. In many cases, the condition is obviously misdiagnosed, since the vertebral surface is merely rough and uneven due to arthritic changes and overall degeneration. There is no obvious infiltration of disc material, but instead, there exists a simple vertical bubble in the disc structure common when the vertebral body above or below is not consistent. These are NOT nodes and should not be diagnosed as such. Doctors who do not understand this simple truth have no business diagnosing any spinal condition whatsoever. Schmorl's Node to Back Pain 5/24/10 Revised 2/19/12 |
Mission Statement
Editorial Board
Legal
Privacy Policy
Site Funding Disclosure
Source Material
This website is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Any medical condition should be referred to a qualified medical professional.
This website is designed to complement, but never replace, the relationship between doctor and patient.