Degenerative Disc Disease: An Overview

It may sound contradictory, but degenerative disc disease, or DDD, is not actually a disease. Instead, it is a condition marked by the degeneration of the intervertebral discs in the spine. As we age, our bodies naturally degenerate, and one of the most noticeable areas of degeneration is in the spine. In cases of degenerative disc disease, the discs that separate and cushion small spinal bones called vertebrae lose their ability to retain water. As the water retention levels of discs continue to diminish, the discs will become flatter and stiffer than they once were.

Further Problems from Degenerative Disc Disease

The degeneration that discs suffer over time can have further implications on the rest of the spine, and even elsewhere in the body. How can this be? Well, the degenerative nature of the discs can actually prove problematic for the spine as a whole. The flattened, degenerated discs between vertebrae are increasingly vulnerable to slipping, bulging, and tearing. When discs slip, bulge, or tear, they can do so in such a manner that they might constrict the spinal cord or a nearby nerve root. When the spinal cord or nerve roots are impinged, symptoms of pain can be felt at the site of nerve compression, while pain, numbness, a sensation of pins and needles, muscle weakness, and muscle spasms can be sent radiating through the extremities.

When the Symptoms Sound Familiar

If you have been suffering from neck pain, back pain, or any of the other aforementioned symptoms, it is advised that you see your doctor soon. Though degenerative disc disease is not usually a serious condition, the symptoms may persist and impact your quality of life unless the condition is properly treated and managed. Paying a visit to your doctor will allow him or her to examine and analyze your symptoms, come to an appropriate diagnosis, and recommend a customized treatment plan for you.