Degenerative Disc Disease: Frequently Asked Questions

A natural byproduct of aging is the loss of resiliency in spinal discs and a greater tendency for them to herniate, especially when placed under a weighty load, like when we lift heavy objects. Additionally, some people have a family history of degenerative disc disease, which increases their own risk of developing it. When a natural disc herniates or becomes badly degenerated, it loses its shock-absorbing ability, which can narrow the space between vertebrae.

This is a term applied to a disc space that has undergone a lot of wear and tear most as a result of the normal ageing process. It can occur in younger patients if they have been involved in contact sports such as Gaelic football or Rugby or if they are genetically predisposed to developing early wear and tear in the spine.

Degenerative disc disease or spinal degeneration occurs from disc wear and tear due to poor control of spinal stability. As the discs degenerate, they lose their water content and narrow. This narrowing causes the spinal vertebral bodies and facet joints to come into closer contact with one another causing joint inflammation/arthritis, back pain and immobility. Smoking, poor nutrition and obesity have been shown to contribute to disc degeneration. ...

The disc is aging and in so doing begins to dry out (desicate) fissure, crack and or tear. The inner substance of the disc (the nucleus) begins to break down, producing breakdown chemical by-products which can leak and cause irritation /pain.

With degenerative disc disease, the intervertebral discs can become worn and thin and the space between the vertebrae becomes shorter. As the space is compressed, the vertebrae impinge upon the nerves resulting in significant pain. Pieces of damaged disc may also break off and cause irritation of the nerves. As the disc loses its ability to absorb stress and provide support, other parts of the spine become overloaded, leading to irritation, inflammation, fatigue and muscle spasms.

Degenerative Disc Disease refers to the loss of loss of hydration in the disc and weakening of the annulus (outer lining of the disc). Trauma can cause the annulus to tear and disc material leaks out and presses on a nerve. Degenerative disc disease is very common in the human population but is not always symptomatic.

Degenerative disc disease is basically arthritis of the disc. The disc serves as a “cushion” between the bones of the spine. With age, stress and strain, these disc can become arthritic and “wear out.” In this situation, these discs are termed degenerative. The first line of treatment is conservative treatment, which often includes anti-flammatory medications, physical therapy and a back education class to strengthen and stabilize the spine. ...

Degenerative disc disease refers to the loss of hydration in the disc and weakening of the annulus (outer lining of the disc). Degenerative disc disease is very common age related change in human being and many times it remains as asymptomatic change, not always painful. But, in some individual degeneration of the disc causes severe discogenic low back pain mainly, due to the chemical mediators which invade the avascular disc from outside.

Degenerative Disc Disease refers to the loss of loss of hydration in the disc and weakening of the annulus(outer lining of the disc). Trauma can cause the annulus to tear and disc material leaks out and presses on a nerve. Degenerative disc disease is very common in the human population but is not always symptomatic.

Generally, doctors recommend not doing forward bends with such conditions. With degenerative disc disease, improper forward bends can cause slippage of the vertebrae. With herniated or bulging discs, in forward bends, the bulge can press onto the spinal nerves creating pain. ...

Generally, doctors recommend not doing forward bends with such conditions. With degenerative disc disease, improper forward bends can cause slippage of the vertebrae. With herniated or bulging discs, in forward bends, the bulge can press onto the spinal nerves creating pain. ...

Almost any medical condition can be considered compensable under the workers' compensation law, if it is determined by a Judge of Compensation that your work exposure was a material contributing factor to either the “causation, aggravation, acceleration or exacerbation” of the medical condition in question. ...