Does a disc regenerate?

[dakota.miller]

I have had an L5 S1 discectomy on the 29th April 2009 and am recovering really well now athough that was not always the case.
Can anyone tell me if the prolapsed part of the disc removed will regenerate?
I look forward to hearing any opinions that will help me.

many thanks

dalep115

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi Dalep,

Only the outer most part of a disc has a blood supply and that is limited. So, as blood is required to deliver nutrients for growth, a disc will not regrow. However, following a discectomy proteins will still be able to diffuse to the area via the vertebral end plate so scar tissue will be laid down which will have the effect of strengthening the area.

Hope that helps

Adam