Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Deteriorating disc disease (DDD) is also referred to as degenerative disc disease. This disease is usually associated with getting older. As people age, their spinal discs can deteriorate over time. Sometimes deteriorating disc disease can affect younger people who may have inherited the condition. When discs deteriorate, movement may be restricted. Also, deteriorating discs cause neck or back pain.

Causes of Deteriorating Disc Disease

• In most cases, DDD is caused by aging. However, it can also be caused or aggravated by an injury to the back. Vulnerability to DDD may be inherited. In addition, smoking cigarettes causes faster deterioration of the discs.

Common Symptoms

• Individuals in the latter stages of deteriorating disc disease commonly have persistent pain. Pain may worsen when sitting for extended periods of time or when lifting objects or bending over.

Severe Symptoms

• Symptoms that indicate that prompt medical attention is needed include intense pain, leg issues (tingling, weakness, numbness) and lack of bladder and bowel control.

Diagnosis

• Doctors diagnose DDD using a combination of the following: patient interviews, physical exams, neurological tests, X-ray images, MRI images, CAT scans, bone scans discograms and mylegrams.

Treatment

• Deteriorating disc disease can be treated with medications, physical therapy, exercise, chiropractic care and, in rare cases, surgery.