Lumbar degenerative disc disease and its causes

Degenerative disc disease of the lower back, or lower spine, refers to a syndrome wherein a compromised or damaged disc triggers pain in the lower back.  Although, it is often believed that there is some genetic component to those who are suffering from this condition, the exact cause, perhaps, is multifactorial. From traumatic cause to simple wear and tear, cause can be any. However, it is only in rare cases that it triggers from a major trauma like a car accident. The Lumbar degenerative disc disease mostly occurs because of low energy injury to the disc which progresses gradually with time.

It is important to note that the disc does not have blood supply itself, thus if an injury occurs, it cannot repair itself like the presence of other tissues in the body. An otherwise trivial injury to the disc can trigger a degenerative cascade in which disc wears out. Irrespective of the fact that this kind of problems has been tagged with dramatic label, it is a common condition which has affected the lives of millions of people.  According to a study conducted, it has been found that near about 30 percent people aged between 30 and 50 years of age have a degree of disc degeneration. However, saying that does not mean that all will receive a formal diagnosis or will have pain. As a matter of fact, after a person reaches 60 years of age, some degree of disc degeneration is considered normal.

Causes of Lumbar DDD

Pain in the lower back is often associated with disc degenerative disease in the lumbar spine. It usually generates from either one or two resources,

Abnormal micro-motion, instability –It is the condition in which outer rings of the disc are worn down, and thus cannot absorb stress and shock on spine in affective way leading to movement along the vertebral segment. These outer discs are also known as annulus fibrous.

Inflammation- As the presence of protein in the disc space irritates the nerves surrounding it – both small nerves within disc space as well as potentially the large nerves which goes down to nerves experience inflammation. 

Excessive or unnecessary micro-motion when combined with inflammatory proteins can cause ongoing pain in the lower back.  It might surprise you but pain triggering from lumbar degenerative disc disease eventually decreases instead of becoming worse. The main reason for this is that fully degenerated disc no longer carries inflammatory proteins that lead to discomfort and pain. Usually, it collapses into a stable position, thus eradicating the micro-motion which causes pain. 

It is because of this procedure that even those patients who suffer from flare-up as well as severe pangs of pain in their 40’s might discover that their back pain has completely gone by the time they reach 60’s. Although many people suffer from spondylolisthesis, but it is not because of disc disease. Dr. Erik Bendiks is an orthopedic surgeon having specialization in treating several types of spinal, back and neck pain.  Lumbar DDD and Spondylolisthesis treatment when done timely can help you live a normal life.

Lumbar degenerative disc disease is a common condition which affects millions of people. Timely diagnosis is important for effective treatment. 

Lumbar degenerative disc disease – Overview and Causes

Degenerative disc disease in the lower back or in the lumbar spine refers to a condition in which a compromised disc leads to pain in the lower back. Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease affects millions of people across the globe. Instead of avoiding initial signs, one should immediately consult an orthopedic surgeon for timely treatment.

Although there might be a genetic component for individuals suffering from, the true cause for the condition might be multifactorial. It could be anything from traumatic cause to simple wear and tear. However, degenerative disc disease of the Lumbar spine rarely triggers from a major trauma like a car accident. In most cases, it occurs due to low energy injury to the disc, which slowly progresses with time.

The disc does not have a blood supply, thus in case it sustains an injury, and it cannot repair itself like other tissues present in the body. An otherwise trivial injury to the disc can begin with a degenerative cascade in which the disc wears out.  Irrespective its rather dramatic explanations as well as a label, DDD, degenerative disc disease is extremely common, and as per studies conducted, it has been found that near about 30 percent of people aged between thirty and fifty years suffers from some kind of disc space degeneration. However, not all patients suffer from pain or even get a formal diagnosis done. As a matter of fact, after a person reaches sixty years of age, diagnosis of some degree of disc degeneration is normal. 

Causes of Lumbar Herniated Disc 

The lower back pain which surfaces from lumbar degenerative disc disease occurs from either one or both sources.

Abnormal micro-motion, instability – It is a condition in which outer rings of the discs known as the annulus fibrous are completely worn down and fails to absorb the stress on spine in an effective way, causing movement alongside the vertebral segment.

Inflammation- In this, proteins in the disc space cause irritation in the surrounding nerves – both the larger nerves that go down to the legs and the smaller nerve located within the space on the disc

Excessive micro motion when comes together with inflammatory proteins, can cause constant pain in the lower back.  Fortunately, over the period of time, pain triggering from lumbar degenerative disc disease ultimately reduces, instead of becoming worse. The main reason for this is that fully degenerated disc disease no longer carries any inflammatory proteins responsible for pain. In fact, they collapse into a much stable position, eliminating micro motion responsible for generating pain.  

It is due to this procedure that even those patients who experience severe pangs of pain along with frequent flare-ups in their mid-forties might discover that their lower back pain almost vanishes completely by the time they reach sixties.

Irrespective of the cause because of which you suffer from Lumbar Herniated Disc, consulting orthopedic surgeon like Dr. Erik Bendiks can help you get timely as well as an effective treatment. Owing to his experience and expertise, he recommends treatment after thoroughly examining a patient, which paves way for quick recovery.

The lumbar degenerative disc disease has affected millions of people across the globe. Proper care and treatment can pave way for quick recovery.

Symptoms Of Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease

Has it been a long time that you have been suffering from pain in the lower back? Do you want to just get rid of it and live life normally? However, instead of taking leaves from office and taking rest, is not it better to consult an orthopedic surgeon who can recommend the best treatment as per your existing condition? There might be very possibility you are suffering from Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. Given that an increasing number of people are suffering from this condition, seeking timely doctor's advice is essential.

Most patients suffering from this condition would experience low-grade and constant, however tolerable pain which might occasionally intensify or increase for a few days. Although symptoms might vary, here are a few general characteristics indicating Lumbar herniated Disc.  

• You have been experiencing pain in lower back, and it has lasted for more than seven weeks
•          Pain which worsens upon sitting because disc experiences much heavy load, then when a person is standing, lying down or even walking. Even prolonged standing might also cause pain as can lifting an object or bending forward.
•          Often patients describe sensation extremely painful in the lower back  than burning or searing pain which radiates
•          Pain which  occurs in center on the lower back, though it also radiates to the legs and hips
•          Sever symptoms might include tingling as well as numbness in the legs and difficulty in walking
•         Pain which exacerbates by some movements, specifically lifting, bending and twisting

If you suffer from any of the above slated symptoms, then without wasting much time further, just schedule an appointment with Dr. Erik Bendiks, one of the leading and renowned spine surgeons in Atlanta. It is his years of experience and expertise which makes him the most popular orthopedic surgeon. You can be assured to undergo the most effective treatment for Lumbar Herniated Disc.  

Timely Treatment For Back Pain Might Prevent Surgery

Lumbar fusion surgery is considered as the best treatment for stopping the motion at a painful vertebral segment. It decreases the pain which generates from the joint. Although surgery is considered the last resort for treating the pain triggering from the spinal area, it improves the condition of those who fail to experience relief from other treatments.   There are different approaches for spinal fusion surgery, and each of them involves the following procedures.

·         Bony fusion – In it, one fixed bone replaces a mobile joint, stopping the motion at that particular joint segment

·         Setting up a biological response which leads to the bone graft growing between the two vertebral elements for creating a bone fusion

·         Addition of bone graft to a spinal segment

If excessive or abnormal motion of the vertebral segment causes inability to function or severe pain then you might be recommended spinal fusion surgery.

·         Lumbar spondylolisthesis (postlaminectomy spondylolisthesis, degenerative, isthmic)

·         Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease

Other conditions which can be treated with this kind of surgery include a deformity, fractures, and an unstable or weak spine which is caused by tumors or infections or scoliosis.

As observed in most of the cases, be it degenerative or osteoarthritis of the spine, these symptoms are rarely noticeable. As a matter of fact, symptoms rarely progress, and thus it is only in extreme cases that the surgery is needed for painful spinal joints.

Orthopedic surgeon or healthcare professional examines the patient with great care before prescribing the treatment. It is often that they began with medicines, lifestyle changes, exercise and yoga. Only when a patient fails to show any kind of improvement that they recommend surgery.  Surgery is required only for those patients who have severe medical conditions of spinal osteoarthritis that can also lead to nerve root pinching (spinal stenosis) or instability of the joint (degenerative spondylolisthesis).   Sometimes, patients experience both conditions simultaneously. Unstable joints get bigger with passing time, causing stenosis of the spinal canal.

   

Spinal fusion surgery for treating osteoarthritis

Patients who are having extreme condition because of spinal arthritis, the last and the most effective treatment is spinal fusion surgery. It stops the motion in the affected joint. Spinal fusion surgery is also known as “arthrodesis”.

At present, artificial discs or total disc replacement surgery is contraindicated in those patients who are suffering from osteoarthritis of the facet joint  because artificial discs  helps in maintaining motion through painful degenerated facet joints. Artificial disc surgery is meant for only those individuals who have degenerative disc disease without facet joint pathology. Also, it should be considered as an experimental process at this point of time.

It is motion in joint leads to pain, the objective of a fusion surgery is to stop the motion, and thus stop the pain. However, spinal fusion surgery is not recommended for treating osteoarthritis of the spine as the arthritic condition affects several vertebral levels in the spine, and thus multi-level fusions are not advised. Spinalosteoarthritis treatment is suggested after examining the patient’s condition. Even here, doctors initiate treatment with medicines, lifestyle changes and exercise before resorting to surgery. 

Lumbar fusion – Treatment to bring life back to track!

Pain in spinal disc can make life of a person difficult. Not only does it restricts movement but can also make a person completely bedridden. Those who are suffering from this problem might be aware of the problems it brings along. Lumbar fusion surgery is the treatment for damaged spinal disc which can lead to chronic back pain. This type of treatment is being practiced in several European nations for past many years. In the last few years, this type of surgery is being performed across the globe because of the benefits it brings along.

Advancement in medical science has proved to be a blessing for many people. There is a wide range of new techniques, procedures as well as products which are currently in development stage for improving spinal surgery. Going by what many spine surgeons have to indicate, artificial disc technologycan really improve the condition of patients who are suffering from severe spinal damage or problem. There are many people who suffer from spinal problem. When there is no improvement from medication and alternative therapies then surgery is the last resort.  Artificial Disc Replacement Atlanta surgery, when performed correctly, can improve the condition of the patient to a great extent.

Conventionally, spinal fusion surgery instead of artificial disc surgery was the treatment option for those patients who fail to get any respite from the chronic back pain through non-invasive treatments and self-care. In some cases, situation becomes so grave that patients have to drop the job because of the excessive pain. If you are also one of those who is facing similar problem, there is no need to worry at all asArtificial Disc Replacement Atlanta surgery being provided at Erik Bendiks can help you in regaining life back to the track. It is the experience as well as expertise of the doctors and medical staff here which ensures smooth and fast recovery