Most people's spinal discs degenerate over time. By the age of 35, approximately 30% of people will show evidence of disc degeneration at one or more levels. By the age of 60, more than 90% of people will show evidence of some disc degeneration. Degeneration itself is normal, and does not necessarily cause pain.
Degenerative disc disease isn't actually a disease, but rather a condition in which a damaged disc causes pain. This pain can range from nagging to disabling. The condition can be caused by the drying out of the disc over time, daily activities, sports and injuries.
The most common early symptom is usually pain and weakness in the back that radiates to another area. If the damage is in the lower back, or lumbar spine, the discomfort may radiate to the buttocks and upper thighs. There may also be tingling, numbness, or both, in the legs or feet.
Approximately 40% of adults over age 40 have at least one degenerated vertebral disc. By age 80, 80% of them do. Disc degeneration is considered a normal part of aging, just as skin wrinkles and gray hair are.
DDD is a condition in which a damaged spinal disc causes pain. (While everyone has some wear and tear of their spinal discs; not everyone will have pain.) And although it may take decades before you feel pain (if you ever do), the degeneration process can start as early as your 20s.
Long-term Outcomes of Degenerative Disc Disease
The degenerative process of the spinal disc may start gradually or suddenly, but progresses over 2 to 3 decades from severe and at times even disabling bouts of pain to a state in which the spine is restabilized and the pain is diminished. Spinal osteoarthritis.
No, degenerative disc disease cannot heal on its own. Many treatments for degenerative disc disease focus on reducing symptoms. Some people experience more severe or longer-lasting symptoms than others.
Excessive weight: Obese people are more likely to have symptoms of degenerative disc disease. Heavy physical work: Labor such as repeated heavy lifting may put excess stress and strain on your discs. A family history of back or spine disorders increases your risk for degenerative disc disease.
ANSWER: Degenerative disk disease is a common cause of back pain. Our spinal disks wear out with age and use. About 20% of all U.S. adults have some amount of degeneration by age 65. This increases to about 35% by 80.
People with degenerative disk disease should avoid slouching and a sedentary lifestyle. They should also refrain from exercise or activities that are high impact or involve heavy lifting. Many people experience lower back pain due to degenerative disk disease.
Disc degeneration cannot be stopped or reversed. Most people, however, can be treated for “discogenic” pain ─ the pain caused by disc changes ─ without surgery or disc replacement.
To diagnose degenerative disc disease, the doctor will review the medical history and conduct a physical exam. The doctor may order imaging tests like X-rays, a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan to get a better look at the discs and bony structures. This can help make the diagnosis.
Can you live a normal life with degenerative disc disease? The answer is yes, even it forces you to be out of work for an extended amount of time. Do not give up. There are many methods of pain relief that you can do at home that can help you live a normal life.
While disc degeneration can't be reversed, there is evidence that exercise, lifestyle changes, and pain management can give you a better quality of life. Nonsurgical treatment is the first step. If conservative therapies fail to help you manage and control the painful symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Without appropriate treatment, degenerative disc disease can cause lasting, debilitating back pain. The pain may become so severe that you find it difficult to carry out your normal daily activities. It can interfere with your mobility and your overall quality of life.
Is Degenerative Disc Disease Serious? Degenerative Disc Disease is not life threatening, but if left untreated, can lead to debilitating pain, permanent damage, and serious conditions such as spinal osteoarthritis, herniated discs, spinal stenosis and potentially paralysis.
The main cause of degenerative disc disease is aging. However, multiple risk factors can speed up the process of disc degeneration and cause it to occur at a young age. If someone gets DDD at a younger age, it's usually because of: acute or sudden injury (such as a fall)
Mechanical stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD).
Processed foods and excessive alcohol both lead to inflammation in your body, including in your spine. Inflammation can become chronic, especially when your food choices aren't the best.
A single injection of cells and fluid derived from human donor tissue was successful long-term in relieving pain and restoring physical function in patients with degenerative disc disease, according to new research presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology in Phoenix.
Degenerative disc disease is an important cause of LBP in the elderly. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely ordered by physicians in evaluation of patients with suspected degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine.
Chiropractic treatment for degenerative disc disease can reduce inflammation in the spinal tissues, improve the range of motion of the spine, and relieve muscle tension. Chiropractic treatments can also reduce pressure on the spine, specifically the spinal discs, to promote healing.
Degeneration occurs because of age-related wear-and-tear on a spinal disc, and may be accelerated by injury, health and lifestyle factors, and possibly by genetic predisposition to joint pain or musculoskeletal disorders. Degenerative disc disease rarely starts from a major trauma such as a car accident.