Degenerative Disc Disease - Pinehurst Surgical

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Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease, orDDD, occurs in many people aspart of the normal aging process. Itis sometimes referred to as arthritisof the back. The condition resultsfrom changes in the compressiblespinal discs, which act as andshock-absorbing cushions betweenthe vertebrae. With age, the discscan lose fluid, making them lessflexible and more compressed, orthey can develop tiny tears in theouter layer (annulus), which cancause pain by themselves or allowthe jellylike inner layer (nucleus) tobulge, causing pressure on thespinal cord and/or nerves.

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Pinehurst Surgical Clinic


IntroductionDegenerative Disc Disease, or DDD, occurs in many people aspart of the normal aging process. It is sometimes referred to asarthritis of the back. The condition results from changes in thecompressible spinal discs, which act as and shock-absorbingcushions between the vertebrae. With age, the discs can lose fluid,making them less flexible and more compressed, or they candevelop tiny tears in the outer layer (annulus), which can causepain by themselves or allow the jellylike inner layer (nucleus) tobulge, causing pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerves.

SymptomsThe most common symptom of DDD is deep aching lower backpain that can radiate to the top of the thighs. Pain in the morning isusually described as stiffness in the lower back. The condition canoccur anywhere along the spine, but is most common in the neck(cervical) and lower back (lumbar) regions. The resulting neck orlower back pain is usually made worse by certain activities orprolonged sitting and standing. There may be bouts of severe pain,lasting from a few days to several months, before returning to amilder long-term, chronic pain. Many people don’t realize theyhave disc degeneration because it frequently causes no pain at all.




CausesThe cause of DDD is typically the normal wear and tear that occursin the discs as a person ages. However, it can occasionally becaused by trauma (injury) or repetitive lifting. The affected discbecomes thinner and loses its cushioning ability. These changesaffect the way the vertebrae in the spine move and bone spurs canresult as well as bulging or disc leakage, all of which can causepain when they contact the spinal nerves. Smoking, obesity, heavylifting, and hereditary factors also lead to advanced degeneration.

SummaryDDD causes lower back pain in most people at some point in theirlives. Symptoms usually resolve on their own; occasionally,medications and non-operative treatments (physical therapy) areneeded. Surgery is performed for those whose symptoms do notimprove.



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Degenerative Disc Disease - Pinehurst Surgical