Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): The Aging Spine condition, know How to Manage It
What is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)? Degenerative Disc Disease, commonly seen in MRI reports, especially in patients over 40, is a natural aging process. Despite the daunting name, DDD is essentially wear and tear on the spine. While it can cause low back pain, many individuals experience no symptoms The Structure of the Spine To comprehend DDD, it’s essential to understand the spine’s anatomy. The spine consists of 33 vertebrae stacked to form a column. Here’s a quick breakdown: Cervical (Neck): 7 vertebrae Thoracic (Mid-back): 12 vertebrae Lumbar (Lower back): 5 vertebrae Sacrum: 5 fused vertebrae Coccyx (Tailbone): 4 fused vertebrae Between the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae are spinal discs acting as shock absorbers. The sacrum and coccyx, being fused, do not have discs. Role of Spinal Discs Spinal discs are pivotal in maintaining spinal flexibility and absorbing shocks. Each disc has a tough outer ring and a soft, jelly-like core, allowing it to cushion the verteb