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Degenerative disc disease is exactly what its name implies: a deteriorating, or degenerative, condition involving the discs of either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine.
Conditions such as spinal stenosis, osteophytes (bone spurs), disc herniation, and "ruptured disc" which, inevitably, may involve therapy, prescription medication, or surgical intervention, typically refer to degenerative disc disease. DDD (the acronym for this condition) generally occurs as people get older, and very often individuals over the age of forty are affected to some degree with this degenerative condition. What causes degenerative disc disease? Essentially, the spongy discs that are interlaced throughout the spine, and which serve as shock absorbers for the vertebrae, begin to wear out, losing moisture and resilience. However, degenerative disc disease can be the end result of one, or several, back injuries as well. Since a great many manual activities, and occupations, necessitate the occasional use of the lower back as a fulcrum for lifting, lumbar disc disease is typically more prevalent in occurrence. However, cervical degenerative disc disease is also frequently diagnosed, perhaps more often for sedentary workers. Treatments for this condition may include physical therapy, prescription medication, and surgery. Specific surgical interventions may include a laminectomy, discectomy, or fusion. For information regarding Social Security Disability SSI and back conditions, the following links may be helpful: Social Security Disability, SSI, Back pain, and Degenerative Disc Disease Social Security Disability, SSI, and Disorders of the spine including spinal arachnoiditis and spinal stenosis Social Security Disability, SSI, and Curvature of the Spine, including scoliosis, kyphosis, and kyphoscoliosis |
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