Degenerative disc disease of the lower back, or lower
spine, refers to a syndrome wherein a compromised or damaged disc triggers pain
in the lower back. Although, it is often
believed that there is some genetic component to those who are suffering from
this condition, the exact cause, perhaps, is multifactorial. From traumatic
cause to simple wear and tear, cause can be any. However, it is only in rare
cases that it triggers from a major trauma like a car accident. The Lumbar degenerative disc disease mostly
occurs because of low energy injury to the disc which progresses gradually with
time.
It is important to note that the disc does not have blood
supply itself, thus if an injury occurs, it cannot repair itself like the
presence of other tissues in the body. An otherwise trivial injury to the disc
can trigger a degenerative cascade in which disc wears out. Irrespective of the
fact that this kind of problems has been tagged with dramatic label, it is a
common condition which has affected the lives of millions of people. According to a study conducted, it has been
found that near about 30 percent people aged between 30 and 50 years of age
have a degree of disc degeneration. However, saying that does not mean that all
will receive a formal diagnosis or will have pain. As a matter of fact, after a
person reaches 60 years of age, some degree of disc degeneration is considered
normal.
Causes of Lumbar DDD
Pain in the lower back is often associated with disc
degenerative disease in the lumbar spine. It usually generates from either one or
two resources,
Abnormal micro-motion, instability –It is the condition in which outer rings of the disc
are worn down, and thus cannot absorb stress and shock on spine in affective
way leading to movement along the vertebral segment. These outer discs are also
known as annulus fibrous.
Inflammation- As the presence of protein in the disc space
irritates the nerves surrounding it – both small nerves within disc space as
well as potentially the large nerves which goes down to nerves experience
inflammation.
Excessive or unnecessary micro-motion when combined
with inflammatory proteins can cause ongoing pain in the lower back. It might surprise you but pain triggering from
lumbar degenerative disc disease eventually decreases instead of becoming
worse. The main reason for this is that fully degenerated disc no longer
carries inflammatory proteins that lead to discomfort and pain. Usually, it
collapses into a stable position, thus eradicating the micro-motion which
causes pain.
It is because of this procedure that even those
patients who suffer from flare-up as well as severe pangs of pain in their 40’s
might discover that their back pain has completely gone by the time they reach
60’s. Although many people suffer from spondylolisthesis , but it is not because
of disc disease. Dr. Erik Bendiks is an orthopedic surgeon having
specialization in treating several types of spinal, back and neck pain. Lumbar DDD and Spondylolisthesis treatment
when done timely can help you live a normal life.
Lumbar degenerative disc disease is a common condition
which affects millions of people. Timely diagnosis is important for effective
treatment.
