Degenerative Disc
Disease
Degenerative
Disc Disease
Degeneration of the intervertebral disc, which
is often called "degenerative disc disease" (DDD) of the
spine, is a common disorder of the lower spine. Disc degeneration
can lead to disorders such as spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal
canal that houses the spinal cord and nerve roots; can be lumbar
or cervical), spondylolisthesis (forward slippage of the disc and
vertebra), and retrolisthesis (backward slippage of the disc and
vertebra). DDD is in fact not a disease but, rather, a degenerative
condition that can be painful and can greatly affect the victim's
quality of life. Disc degeneration is a normal part of aging and
is generally not a problem by itself. However, for certain individuals,
a degenerated disc can cause pain, such as when bone spurs grow adjacent
to the discs and pinch or put pressure on the nearby nerve roots
or spinal canal.
Causes
Aging is the most common
cause of disc degeneration. As the body ages, the discs in
the spine dehydrate, or dry out, and lose their ability to
act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. The bones and
ligaments that make up the spine also become less flexible
and thicken. Unlike muscles, there is minimal blood supply
to the discs so they lack the ability to heal or repair themselves.
Repetitive stress injury (RSI) and/or several injuries over
time that involve the same disc can also increase the likelihood
of disc degeneration as may a poor body mass index. However,
an active lifestyle that combines regular light exercise and
a good diet can help to repair or prolong the life of the disc.
Symptoms
With symptomatic degenerative
disc disease, chronic low back pain sometimes radiates to the
hips, or there is an aching pain in the buttocks or thighs
while walking; sporadic tingling or weakness through the knees
may also be evident. Similar pain may be felt or may increase
while sitting, bending, lifting, and twisting. While the degeneration
of the disc will likely progress as a natural part of the aging
process, symptoms such as low back pain often decrease over
time.
Understanding Disc Pain
It is not clear why some degenerative discs
are painful and some are not. After an injury, some discs become
painful because of inflammation. Some people have nerve endings
that penetrate more deeply into the annulus fibrosus, or outer
layer of the disc, than others, making the disc more susceptible
to becoming a source of pain. Pain that radiates down the leg,
known as sciatica or lumbago, is the result of the nerve root
encountering the inner disc material, or the nucleus pulposus,
an inflammatory substance that also puts pressure on the nerve.
These conditions can cause symptoms such as severe leg pain,
difficulty standing and walking, and weakness or numbness in
the legs. Degenerative disc disease can lead to a chronic debilitating
condition and can have a serious negative impact on a person's
quality of life. When pain from degenerative disc disease is
severe, traditional nonoperative treatment is often ineffective.
Don’t
live life in pain. You do not have to!
Genesis
Chiropractic Clinic
Chiropractors serving the Greater Philadelphia Region
Suite 6, 801
County Line Road • Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044
Genesis Chiropractic Clinic Web Site
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