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Degenerative Disc Disease
* Lumbar Disc Disease What is Degenerative Disc Disease?DDD is described as a condition in which the spinal discs dry out, lose height and diameter and generally shrink. These are also recognized patterns of normal disc aging. DDD is characterized as causing the overall length of the spine to shorten, which also happens to be a normal part of getting older. DDD demonstrates possible increased interaction between the spinal bones and might entail the growth of osteophytes (bone spurs) on the affected vertebrae, as well as encourage the arthritic process. Spinal osteoarthritis is also thought to be a commonplace occurrence in many adult patients and is rarely the source of any significant or ongoing pain. Well, it seems that DDD is basically another name for getting older…only specifically referring to the spine. DISEASE? No…Degenerative Disc Disease Facts* DDD is normal and you WILL have it as you age.* DDD is not usually the source of any pain or symptoms * DDD creates physical changes in the spine, but these are normal. * DDD can create some pain in a minority of patients. * DDD is NOT A DISEASE… * DDD is one of the main causes of the diagnostic nocebo effect in otherwise healthy patients. Degenerative Disc Disease and Herniated DiscsA degenerated disc is more likely to suffer a herniation, but is far less likely to cause any pain as a result of that herniation. Most bulges and ruptures in thoroughly degenerated discs go unnoticed and are sometimes never even discovered till much later in life. A degenerated disc has less nucleus pulposus mass and therefore is under less pressure if and when it herniates. The disc is also smaller once degenerated, so the bulge has a greater distance to travel before making contact with any sensitive neurological tissues. Additionally, a degenerated nucleus also involves less irritating proteins; so even in the event of a significant rupture, there is less chance of experiencing chemical radiculitis.My Experience with DDDI was diagnosed with moderate DDD at age 16! I demonstrated noticeable loss of disc height at L4/L5 and L5/S1 long before those 2 discs eventually herniated. The very term Degenerative Disc Disease was like a knife in my heart when uttered by my first chiropractor. This diagnosis, presented to me in the blatant and unexplained way in which it was, definitely set the stage for an escalation in my symptoms. I really thought my spine was crumbling from the way my chiropractor broke the news to this naïve teenager. I wish I could have a few words with this guy now… I would tell him a few things FOR SURE…Looking back, I agree that my age was a bit young for such a DDD condition to exist. However, it does happen and not as infrequently as you might think. DDD is normal by age 30 in the lower back and possibly in the neck. Many people show the signs earlier (me) and some hold up till later in life. Genetics, lifestyle and idiopathic reasons all play a part in when, where and how much disc degeneration will occur… Degenerative Disc Disease AdviceDon’t let any doctor scare you with this diagnosis! Learn the facts about this condition and then explain right back to them how DDD is a normal part of the aging process for every human. You can even go so far as to tell them that they have it too or at least will soon…The nocebo factor is powerful with this condition. Anyone who has been exposed to the diagnosis should definitely use the simple techniques of knowledge therapy to counteract the doom and gloom factor associated with DDD. For the few patients who actually DO have symptomatic DDD because of unusual and advanced spinal changes, I am sorry… Truly and Sincerely. I do NOT mean to belittle your struggle or pain one bit. I know this article comes on strong, but it MUST. You simply have to realize that your condition is extremely atypical and that the other 99% of diagnosed patients are suffering for nothing. For you, I send my prayers and for everyone else, I tell you…LEARN THE FACTS. Please take the time to share your own disc pain story on our HERNIATED DISC FORUM Please subscribe to our FREE E-Zine, The Herniated Disc Newsletter. 6/14/08 Revised 11/6/08
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