Degenerative Disc Disorder

As we grow older, years of wear and tear gradually take a toll on the spinal column. It is this wear and tear that leads to the loss of flexibility and aches and pains that most of us accept as part of getting older. Over time, the vertebral facet joints can become arthritic, muscles can begin to weaken, ligaments can calcify, bone spurs can develop, the vertebrae can become misaligned, the spinal canal can narrow, the intervertebral discs can weaken and rupture or bulge, and other degenerative changes can occur. This degeneration, despite how it may sound, is entirely normal and is all part of growing older. However, when the anatomical elements of the spine deteriorate to the point that nerve compression occurs or the flexibility of the spine is affected, pain and other symptoms can develop.

It’s important to understand that people of all ages can suffer from a bulging disc. This condition is not reserved exclusively for those who have reached middle age, although this is the most common age for the condition to develop. One of the troubles with bulging discs is there is no definitive way to determine who will absolutely develop the condition. Doctors have identified specific risk factors and lifestyle choices that can greatly increase the likelihood of developing the condition.

All that said, by having a clear understanding of the risk factors that can accelerate or exacerbate the onset of disc problems and by taking steps to limit or avoid these activities, you can reduce your chances of developing a pesky bulging disc. It’s an inexact science, to be sure, but it can be empowering to at least feel like you have a chance at slowing the natural degenerative process. So what are the risk factors and lifestyle choices that can make you more prone to disc deterioration?

Obesity – For starters, obesity is one of the most common factors that can contribute to spinal degeneration. While most people understand the correlation between being overweight and heart and lung disease, the toll that supporting excess body fat takes on the lumbar spine, in particular, should not be overlooked. By introducing the variable of additional weight to the spinal column, you greatly increase the pressure placed on the spine, which unsurprisingly can speed up wear-and-tear. This is why obese individuals are far more likely to develop back and neck problems than healthier individuals.

Inactivity – People who choose to live an inactive lifestyle, even if they aren’t obese, are also at a high risk for spine degeneration. In the absence of regular exercise, prolonged periods of sitting or lying down can cause the muscles and ligaments that support the back and neck to weaken over time. This is a problem because this soft tissue that surrounds the spine is partially responsible for supporting the spinal column and helping to absorb some of the strain that comes with regular movement. When these muscles and ligaments are weakened, strain is transferred to the spinal column, which can exacerbate or accelerate the deterioration of the spinal anatomy.

High-impact sports –Fit and active people are also quite susceptible to developing a bulging disc – just for different reasons. Where excess body fat can gradually wear a disc out, the strain on the spine from repetitive mechanical activities and playing so-called “high-impact” sports can have a similar effect. Hockey players, gymnasts, rugby players, and other athletes often face problems because their sport of choice can be quite hard on their bodies.

Golf – Golfers are another segment of the population who are inordinately susceptible to disc problems, and with good reason. During a golf swing, the golfer stands with his or her feet apart and pivots around the spinal column, shifting weight from one side to another while rotating the hips and shoulders. On the downswing, the spine is uncorked, weight is dramatically shifted once again, and the golfer should “explode” through the remainder of the swing and hold their follow through. What’s more, golfers have to carry their heavy bags, bend over to pick up the golf ball out of the hole, and many walk several miles a round.

Posture – Bad posture is yet another common cause of spine degeneration. As previously discussed, having good posture is integral to maintaining spinal health. Yet, this means more than just standing up straight. Perfect posture, it turns out, extends through every aspect of life from sitting and standing to lying down in bed at night. The trick is to maintain the “neutral spine” alignment where pressure is spread evenly along the upper, middle, and lower back. Failure to keep your spine properly aligned puts additional strain on specific segments of the spine, which has a similar effect as obesity.

Lifestyle choices – Some unhealthy lifestyle choices can make us more susceptible to bulging discs. Alcohol abuse, for example, or tobacco use, can contribute to the deterioration of the intervertebral discs because both can interfere with the discs’ ability to absorb nutrients. Over time, malnourished discs can weaken and thin, paving the way for problems.

Injury – Sudden, unexpected injuries can lead to bulging discs. While a traumatic injury is usually more likely to cause a disc to rupture than merely bulge (only because the thinning of a disc wall typically is a gradual process), disc degeneration can certainly be accelerated by damage to the back, neck, or spinal column itself. Car accident victims commonly experience back and neck problems even in relatively minor wrecks because of the shock that the impact sends through the body, which is often absorbed by the neck, back, or spine. In many cases, the effects of an accident won’t be felt for several years and can contribute to later disc degeneration.

Finally, a differentiation should be made between a simple bulging disc and that of degenerative disc disorder or degenerative disc disease (DDD). Degenerative disc disease is a spinal condition that affects one or more discs in the spine and can include various degrees of disc deterioration from prolapsed and bulging discs to herniated and collapsed discs. However, degenerative disc disease tends to explain more severe degeneration of the spinal elements and is not an isolated problem, per se, which is to say that someone can have a bulging disc without suffering from degenerative disc disease.

Still, degenerative disc disease is not a dire diagnosis. Many patients are understandably concerned to learn the source of their back or neck pain is a “disease,” much less a “degenerative disease,” but this is a bit of a misnomer. For one, this condition is incorrectly named and is not a disease in the way that most people think of it. Degenerative disc disease is caused by the deterioration of the spinal anatomy, the same way as a bulging disc, and cannot be caught, transmitted, or cured with medication. Additionally, while the condition is degenerative in the sense that it is a result of gradual changes to the spinal anatomy, it is not a condition that tends to grow worse with time. Symptoms of this condition are normally static – you either experience back pain or you don’t and you either suffer from numbness and tingling in the extremities or you don’t. Very rarely will degenerative disc disease begin with a small discomfort and snowball into crippling, life-altering pain.

At AOMSI diagnostics, we provide the most accurate spinal imaging available in the healthcare marketplace.  This imaging has been proven in peer-reviewed medical journals to be the most accurate, reliable, and specific spinal imaging when compared to traditional spinal imaging modalities.  Often times we are able to expedite pre-authorizations for surgery or even overturn denials for spinal surgery after the VMA study is presented to insurance.

Contact us today to see if AOMSI diagnostics is right for you!