A 47-year-old member asked:
What is degenerative disc disease?
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Bennett Machanicanswered
Neurology 53 years experience
Wear and tear: Since we are bipeds and walk upright, our discs support a great deal of pressure. Over time the support fibers (annulous fibrosis) may fray or split allowing the internal disc contents to bulge or protrude. The space between the vertebrae may narrow, and the disc may dry out or dessicate. This eventuates in pain and stiffness.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Laurence Badgleyanswered
General Practice 54 years experience
Radiologic Term: Probably most popular "diagnosis" doctors use as speculative causation of low back pain generation. "ddd" is term commonly taken from radiologic reports when doctors need diagnosis otherwise undiscovered. Medical literature correlating chronic low back pain with ddd is sparse. Most people with ddd do not have pain. Up to 30% chronic low back pain from sacroiliac joint, largest axial spine joint.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Dan Fisheranswered
Internal Medicine 28 years experience
DDD: In short, it is normal wear and tear of the vertebrae and discs without evidence of a more precise pathology such as neural impingement , inflammation, spondylolisthesis, dish, etc.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Eric Weismananswered
Neurology 37 years experience
Yes: Living in florida and being 39 you can be developing osteoarthritis of the spine. You can tell from plain x-rays. Are the vertebral bodies getting close togeather at any level and are there bony overgrowths seen like in this photo ? This is the lumbar spine (low back).
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
A 30-year-old member asked:
What are the tests for degenerative disc disease?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Goodrichanswered
Neurosurgery 40 years experience
Degenerative disc: The most common test now done is the MRI, in some cases a CT scan can be also helpful
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
How can you prevent degenerative disc disease?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Seth Zeidmananswered
Neurosurgery 34 years experience
Avoid Trauma Smoking: Avoid traumatic injury to discs as well a repetitive injury. Avoid or quit smoking. Use good nutrition with plenty of vitamin a, c< and e. Hope for good inherited features.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
What causes degenerative disc disease?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Bennett Machanicanswered
Neurology 53 years experience
Wear and tear: Since we are bipeds and walk upright, our discs support a great deal of pressure. Over time the support fibers (annulous fibrosis) may fray or split allowing the internal disc contents to bulge or protrude. The space between the vertebrae may narrow, and the disc may dry out or dessicate. This eventuates in pain and stiffness.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
What can you tell me about degenerative disc disease?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Thomas Bragganswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Cause of back pain: The disc is a cartilage shock absorber that lies between the bodies of the vertebra (back bones) and certain conditions or injuries can cause the disc to wear and thin and possibly slide out of position thus causing back pain. There are many causes of disk disease from arthritis to injuries. There are also many treatments including exercise, medications, and even surgery.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
What are options with degenerative disc disease?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Thomas Dowlinganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 41 years experience
Multiple : If no pain, don't worry about it otherwise: exercise, keep your weight down and do not smoke if you have that habit. Sometimes use of medication can be indicated ranging from over the counter to prescription ones. Getting a good night's sleep in a decent mattress can help.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 2, 2020
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