Degenerative Disc Disease

It is often joked about in the medical community that the only other thing that is certain is adults grow older besides death and taxes is degenerative disc disease. However, this syndrome is no joking matter. It is often, literally a pain in the neck.

What is the cause of this syndrome? Simply put, the wear and tear of life causes this. The discs act like cushions between the vertebrae. Per Web MD:

The changes in the discs can result in back or neck pain as well as:

• Osteoarthritis, the breakdown of the tissue (cartilage) that protects and cushions joints.
• Herniated disc, an abnormal bulge or breaking open of a spinal disc.
• Spinal stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal canal, the open space in the spine that holds the spinal cord.

These conditions may put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain and possibly affecting nerve function.

As we get older, the discs just like the shock absorbers in your car the discs are less flexible because there is less fluid in your discs. Loss of this fluid makes the disc smaller. The disc are more prone to breaking open and the jellylike inside material maybe forced out between cracks (herniation). The spaces between the vertebrae become smaller and the spinal nerve roots may become compromised, resulting in pain and affecting nerve function.

Some people experience no pain when a disc herniates. Others are not so lucky and severe pain that limits their activities. When pain occurs affected disc in the neck area may result in neck or arm pain, while an affected disc in the lower back may result in pain in the back, buttocks, or leg. The pain often gets worse with movements such as bending over, reaching up, or twisting or at the end of the day. Usual treatment is medication, ice or heat (which ever feels better, pain meds (as directed by physician). Physical therapy and exercises for strengthening and stretching the back are often recommended, and in some cases surgery may be recommended. Surgery for degenerative disc disease usually involves removing the damaged disc. In some cases, the bone is then permanently joined (fused) to protect the spinal cord. Also, artificial discs are sometimes used to replace the disc that is removed.

Degenerative Disc Disease is a recognized disability by the Social Security Administration; however, it is hard to prove. Make certain your physician, preferably your orthopedist is following you, records your strength of each limb on each visit, your level of pain, and has the medical documentation and tests to back up statements such as narrowing of vertebral spaces.

Eventually, I hope to write about some hints on applying for Social Security and not getting scammed when you do. That will be for another time.