banned1976
sleeper mode
In the late 1970's the nuclear material of the vertebral disc was found to be antigenic (a target inducing an immune system response) and capable of producing an in vitro (essentially in test tube) autoimmune reaction where the body's own immune system attacks its own tissue (the disc)....... It was theorized that a chemical irritation might explain radicular referred pain to the buttocks and leg pain in the absence of a more mechanical anatomic-based stressor to explain it.
A potent inflammatory mediator was also demonstrated to be released by discs following injury. The anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids (such as dxamethasone)are largely secondary to their classic anti-inflammatory inhibition of the immune responses of lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts. Whereas NSAIDs principally inhibit prostaglandin (another inflammatory substance released in general tissue trauma) synthesis, corticosteroids (such as prednisone) were found to interfere early in the inflammatory cascade by inhibiting the discovered inflammatory mediator. However, studies trying to demonstrate improved outcomes have been mixed and conclusions elusive.
If you are referring to illegal anabolic steroid use during recovery from a microdiscectomy, contrary to what most athletes believe, anabolic steroids have no healing power whatsoever. Their only medical uses are in cases of delayed sexual maturation in males, certain neurological diseases where there is muscle wasting, and to suppress estrogen activity in some forms of cancer of female organs.
Very interesting medical history. I spent most of 2012 and part of 2013 in hospitals. Having this test and that test done. I had hepatic encephalopathy at one point as my liver failed and ammonia built up in my brain. But when I was able to read in the hospital, I read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Every doctor/specialist I met I asked them if they ever read that book. I was astonished that none had.
Anyway, thanks for the post. I love reading that kind of stuff. Sorry for going off topic but I just had to let you know how much I appreciate your insight and knowledge.