Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease

Several factors can cause degenerative disc disease. These are age, daily activities and sports, injuries, biological structure, excessive weight, and muscle imbalance.

In the age factor, for instance, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans have shown that more or less 30 percent of 30 year olds have signs of disc degeneration disease. In fact, by the time a person reaches 60 years old, degenerative disc disease is an expected finding on an MRI scan even if the incidence of low back pain actually declines.

Cartilaginous cushions known as intervertebral discs separate the vertebrae of the spinal column from each other hence creating multilevel degenerative disc disease. These discs act as providers of structural support to the spine and as shock absorbers enabling it to take in the stress created by movement. On the other hand, during birth, the disc contains mostly water, about 80 percent. This allows them to be very elastic and to absorb stress. However, as people age, the disc dries out. This causes their intervertebral discs to lose their flexibility, elasticity, and shock absorbing characteristics resulting in degenerative disc disease progression.

With such case, the annulus fibrosis, a firm and tough outer layer of ligaments that surrounds the disc, become brittle and can easily be torn, and the nucleus pulposus, the soft gel-like center of the disc, starts to dry out and shrink. The outer portion of the annulus fibrosis contains nerves, so when the disc tears in this area, it will create exceptional pain. Similarly, when the proteins that the nucleus pulposus contains touch any tissue, that tissue will be tender and swollen, and when these proteins leak out, extreme pain occurs distinct of degenerative disc disease.

A combination of these signify marked degenerative disc disease. These characteristics, combined with the development of bone spurs and a gradual thickening of the ligaments that support the spine, contribute to what is called lumbar degenerative disc disease. Aside from age, daily activities and sports may also cause the outer core of the disc to tear apart and these cause degenerative disc disease. Injuries, which are characterized by swelling, soreness, low back pain and instability of bones, can result in spine degenerative disc disease.

The spinal column disc cannot heal itself because, unlike the muscles in a person's back or other tissues of the body for that matter, it does not have a blood supply. Thus painful symptoms of chronic degenerative disc disease and degenerative disc disease complications occur and this pain will most likely fluctuate and may even worsen to a large extent. There are also those people whose nerve endings appear to be deeper in the outer area of the disc, making them more sensitive and susceptible to back pain or disc degenerative disease.

Other factors that may cause degenerative disc disease include combination of muscle imbalance and excessive weight. Obesity may cause the spinal column to degenerate when it is already incapable of carrying a person's body weight due to too much pressure. Carrying loads which are too heavy may also put pressure on the spine, resulting in degenerative spine disc disease. Muscle imbalances, on the other hand, create uneven pressure that wears and tears the discs by pulling ligaments, bones, and joints out of place, specifically on the pelvic and spine areas. These may also cause degenerative disc disease. Extended periods of sitting in a crouching position leads to an imbalance between the hip flexors, the muscles in the front of the hip and upper thigh, and the glutes, hence pulling the pelvis and spine inappropriately placed. This leads to minor disc degenerative disease.