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.

How do you treat degenerative disc disease?

Treatment may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, or both, special exercises, medications, losing weight, and surgery. Medical options include injecting the joints next to the damaged disc with steroids and a local anesthetic. These are called facet joint injections. They can provide effective pain relief.

What causes multilevel degenerative disc disease?

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.

Is DDD a spinal cord injury?

The name is misleading: It’s is not actually a disease. DDD is a condition in which a damaged spinal disc causes pain.

Is DDD a crippling?

Additionally, your condition must be expected to last for at least 12 months, which is often not the case with DDD. However, for some people, DDD is extremely debilitating and painful, and it is these more advanced cases that are more likely to qualify for help.

Is DDD an autoimmune disease?

Recently, on the basis of in vitro experiments, a number of workers have suggested that degenerative disk desease may have an autoimmune basis.

What vitamins are good for degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc diseases (DJD) can damage the connective tissues as well. Adequate dietary protein, along with vitamins A, B6, C, E and minerals such as zinc and copper are essential for maintaining strong and healthy connective tissue.

Is sitting bad for degenerative disc disease?

Sitting puts you at a higher risk for sciatica, a herniated or slipped disc, degenerative disc disease, and of course lower back pain. Sitting with your hips and legs in a bent position causes joints, ligaments, and muscles to be under constant pressure and adds tension to your spinal discs.

What autoimmune disease causes degenerative disc disease?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune disease with potential for multisystem involvement that promotes inflammation. Chronic inflammation of the synovial tissue results in stiffness, pain, warmth and swelling of joints.

Is DDD a disability?

Degenerative Disc Disease, or DDD, is among the most common impairments for which the Social Security Administration (SSA) receives disability applications. While it is a qualifying disability under certain circumstances, proving your condition meets the SSA’s duration and severity level requirements can be difficult.

How is spinal stenosis related to degenerative disc disease?

There are several treatment options available for pain associated with degenerative disc disease that your doctor might recommend. These include: Facet joint intervention such as radiofrequency (RF) ablation/rhizotomies Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the central canal of the spine.

How can I get disability for spinal stenosis?

The SSA has a specific disability listing for lumbar stenosis. If your condition meets the listing criteria, it will automatically be considered a disability. Call 512-454-4000 for help today. The spine is made up of a column of bones called vertebrae that provide support for the upper body.

What are the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis?

Early lumbar spinal stenosis may have no symptoms. In most people, symptoms develop gradually over time. Symptoms may include: Pain in the back. Burning pain going into the buttocks and down into the legs (sciatica) Numbness, tingling, cramping, or weakness in the legs. Loss of sensation in the feet.

Who are the leading experts in spinal stenosis?

DAVID L. SNYDER, PH.D., DAVID DOGGETT, PH.D., and CHARLES TURKELSON, PH.D., Health Technology Assessment Group at ECRI, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania Am Fam Physician. 2004 Aug 1;70 (3):517-520. This article exemplifies the AAFP 2004 Annual Clinical Focus on caring for America’s aging population.