2006-09-03 16:15:40 · 4 answers · asked by lyndahaigler 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Your spine has "disks" between each of the vertebrae. These are made of cartilage which is set up in two sections. The outer section is a harder "shell" and the inner section is a soft, spongy area. When the softer area (think of it like a balloon) bursts (a loss of water in the cartilage matrix), the harder shell cannot support the weight alone. It will then slowly give out, resulting in a flattening of the disk. It can be said then that the disk "degenerated" or fell apart. It is usually a painful occurrence as it will pinch the nerves connected to the vertebrae. It is a very serious health problem and a hot topic of research in orthopedics. Hope that helps. If not, see the websites below for more.
2006-09-03 17:34:40 · answer #1 · answered by Answers4u 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just a fancy word for a worn out....old a*ss spine.....no..for real..it means that the disc in between your vertebrae has started to wear down and therefore there's not as much space between the vertebrae as there should be and this causes back pain...very common in middle aged people....I'm a xray technician and I see this every day on xrays. Nothing to really worry about...8 out of 10 lumbar spine xrays I do on people over 40 have some degree of this.
2006-09-03 16:30:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Doctor explained to me, the disk in your spine are like a sponge. When you are young they are like a sponge filled with water you can twist, bend and press without any damage. As you get older the disk can dry out and become brittle and break. Degenerative Disk Disease (DDD) is common and can be slowed through good health. I am taking Liquidity International "MaxFlex" to help restore and repair my DDD. I have been taking this for about one year and I am doing much better now. For more information see my web page http://liquidity.myvoffice.com/phxcashmom/
2006-09-03 16:25:37 · answer #3 · answered by kjkemptx 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wear and tear, arthritis, essentially wearing out of ones parts, intial treatment is pain management and failure to repsond to medical therapy or progression of disease is a good consideration for surgical intervention, feel free to email me with questions
2006-09-03 16:24:37 · answer #4 · answered by HK3738 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋