What age does degenerative disc disease begin?

Age. The spine starts degenerating somewhere between the ages of 20 and 25, explains Dr. Anand. But there's a reason you don't see most 20-somethings wincing from back pain: it takes a long time for spinal discs

spinal discs

An intervertebral disc (or intervertebral fibrocartilage) lies between adjacent vertebrae in the vertebral column. Each disc forms a fibrocartilaginous joint (a symphysis), to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, to act as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together, and to function as a shock absorber for the spine.

https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Intervertebral_disc

Intervertebral disc - Wikipedia

to wear down on their own.

What age is normal for degenerative disc disease?

Most people's spinal discs degenerate over time. By the age of 35, approximately 30% of people will show evidence of disc degeneration at one or more levels. By the age of 60, more than 90% of people will show evidence of some disc degeneration. Degeneration itself is normal, and does not necessarily cause pain.

What causes early disc degeneration?

Degeneration occurs because of age-related wear-and-tear on a spinal disc, and may be accelerated by injury, health and lifestyle factors, and possibly by genetic predisposition to joint pain or musculoskeletal disorders. Degenerative disc disease rarely starts from a major trauma such as a car accident.

How long does it take for degenerative disc disease to progress?

The degenerative process of the spinal disc may start gradually or suddenly, but progresses over 2 to 3 decades from severe and at times even disabling bouts of pain to a state in which the spine is restabilized and the pain is diminished.

Can a 25 year old have degenerative disc disease?

While it's possible to be diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease as early as 20 years old, the majority of people affected are in their 40s and 50s. It is possible that DDD can worsen over time, but it's not considered a progressive disease. In fact, many people begin to feel some relief from DDD as they age.

Good News!! If diagnosed with DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) Must Know This!!

Does DDD get worse with age?

4. Will Discs Get Worse With Age? For a vast majority of degenerative disc disease sufferers, the condition will eventually resolve itself. For a select few, however, the condition will continue to get worse and lead to reduced range of motion throughout the aging process.

Can you live a normal life with degenerative disc disease?

Can you live a normal life with degenerative disc disease? The answer is yes, even it forces you to be out of work for an extended amount of time. Do not give up. There are many methods of pain relief that you can do at home that can help you live a normal life.

What are the stages of DDD?

The Four Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease

They can result in pain, degenerative scoliosis, and loss of mobility. These four stages are the Dysfunction Stage, the Dehydration Stage, the Stabilization Stage, and the Collapsing Stage.

How can I prevent degenerative disc disease from getting worse?

Is degenerative disc disease a pre existing condition?

When the MRI reveals degenerative disc changes, the doctors usually find that the wreck aggravated the pre-existing condition and made it symptomatic. As we age, our spines undergo a gradual but persistent process of degeneration.

Can a degenerative disc ever heal?

No, degenerative disc disease cannot heal on its own. Many treatments for degenerative disc disease focus on reducing symptoms. Some people experience more severe or longer-lasting symptoms than others.

Does everyone get degenerative disc disease?

Nearly everyone's spinal discs show signs of wear as they age. Not everyone, however, will have degenerative disc disease. Not actually a disease, this is a condition in which a damaged disc causes pain. A wide range of symptoms and severity is associated with this condition.

What is the best thing to do for degenerative disc disease?

Physical therapy can help stretch and strengthen the right muscles to help the back heal and reduce the frequency of painful flare-ups. Lifestyle modifications, such as changing your posture, losing weight or giving up smoking, can sometimes help reduce stress on the damaged disc and slow down further degeneration.

Is DDD hereditary?

The research concluded that those with immediate family members who have a degenerative disc are more likely to develop the condition themselves. So, the data is not 100% conclusive, but it does indicate that there may be a genetic component to degenerative lumbar disc disease.

What activities should I avoid with degenerative disc disease?

Skip movements that involve significant axial loading on the lower back, such as squats and leg presses. Avoid toe-touches, sit-ups, and yoga poses that worsen the pain and lead to significant bending of the back.

How should you sleep when you have degenerative disc disease?

Side sleeping is okay and sleeping on your back is the most supportive and comfortable position to sleep in if you have DDD. However, it's best if you use supports to keep your spine neutral all night long. Back sleepers: Sleep with a pillow under your knees to maintain your spine's natural lower back curve.

Does drinking water help degenerative disc disease?

Does Drinking Water Help with Degenerative Disc Disease? It does. Drinking water and keeping properly hydrated in general supports disc health, and the best way to help with degenerative disc disease is through prevention, including drinking water.

Can you become paralyzed from degenerative disc disease?

That said, if degenerative disc disease contributes to a disc herniation, especially one that occurs from trauma, paralysis is possible. Warning signs for possible paralysis are sudden loss of bowel or bladder function or rapid onset or worsening back pain, weakness, or numbness.

What is Stage 2 degenerative disc disease?

The second stage of degenerative disc disease is characterized by a long, relative instability of the affected segment of your spine. You may find that you experience intermittent periods of back pain. During stage two you may lose height in your vertebral discs due to dehydration and thinning of your vertebral discs.

Is arthritis and degenerative disc disease the same?

Degenerative joint disease is just another name for osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of arthritis – and it occurs when the components of a joint wear down. So whether we call it degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, or arthritis, we're really talking about the same condition.

Is DDD progressive?

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition where one or more discs in the back lose their strength. Degenerative disc disease, despite the name, isn't technically a disease. It's a progressive condition that happens over time from wear and tear, or injury.

Can you live pain free with DDD?

The vast majority of people with lower back pain and/or sciatica symptoms from lumbar degenerative disc disease will be able to successfully manage their pain and avoid surgery.

What is early degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease is an age-related condition that happens when one or more of the discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column deteriorates or breaks down, leading to pain. There may be weakness, numbness, and pain that radiates down the leg.

What happens if degenerative disc disease is left untreated?

Without appropriate treatment, degenerative disc disease can cause lasting, debilitating back pain. The pain may become so severe that you find it difficult to carry out your normal daily activities. It can interfere with your mobility and your overall quality of life.

Why is disc degeneration so painful?

Because the disc itself has very little innervation, pain usually occurs when the degenerating disc affects other structures in the spine (such as muscles, joint, or nerve roots).