Wednesday 12 October 2016

Lumbar degenerative disc disease and its causes

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. 

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