Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)

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Introduction >  Causes  >  Diagnosis  >   Treatment



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Diagnosis


Because the DDD is not necessarily accompanied by painful sensations, this is the reason why some people are completely unaware of the fact that the degeneration process of their intervertebral discs is taking place. Furthermore, the patient is only experiencing mild, generally tolerable pains that occasionally aggravate, but the duration of the flare does typically not exceed 3-4 days. The general symptomatology comprises of:

  • The main painful sensation is located in the central lower back area, radiating towards the legs/hips
  • Sitting down exacerbates the intensity level of the pain
  • Certain motions such as bending over, twisting the spine or lifting with the back aggravate the pain levels


When the lumbar pains are associated with DDD, the typical factors that determine it consist of:

  • Inflammations caused by the irritation of nearby nerve endings
  • Non-standard micro-motion instability, when the external walls of the intervertebral discs are too deteriorated to proficiently absorb spinal pressure


In order to diagnose the source of the lumbar pain and determine whether or not the underlying condition is DDD, the physician utilizes a three step process:

  • Studying the medical history of the patient
  • Performing a physical examination
  • Conducting an MRI scanning


The medical history verification is mandatory in determining the type of the painful sensation as well as discovering the potentially associate symptomatology. In addition to that, the physician has to learn what physical activities/body positions affect the manifestation and the intensity of the pains.

In regards to the physical examination, its role is to discover the presence of deteriorated spinal discs by asking the patient to perform certain motions, testing the strength of his muscles and localized tenderness.

Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI tests constitute the most important part of the diagnosis procedure. The following findings suggest a high chance that the pain is DDD related:

  • The distance between collapsed discs exceed 50% of normal value
  • The cartilaginous endplates present indicators of attrition


More controversial indicators that have not been fully accepted by the medical community as clear DDD signs comprise of MRI findings such as:

  • Disc desiccation
  • Abnormal disc bulges
  • Annular fissures and tears