What is the life expectancy of an individual with degenerative cervical and lumbar disc disease?

Answer 1

DJD doesn't affect your life expectancy

Answer 2

I had 3 laminectomies,(ruptured disc repair surgery) 2 in 1980 and 1 in 1982. Had 3 different ruptured disc, each repaired with the surgery meaning they opened me up, scraped away the disc material that had come out and closed me back up. I currently have a bulging disc that bothers now and then if I over do. The pain before surgery was horrid and the surgeries were great but I don't know if they dot hat any more, after all, that was a long time ago. Never had the spine fusion thing, the thought of that scares me. I don't want anything fused! I do have permanent nerve damage from the ruptured disc. I cannot lay flat without extreme pain and cannot sleep except in a hospital bed so I can adjust the position to suit me. No one wants to fix the bulging disc as I have lots of scar tissue from the other surgeries so I cope. Good luck.

Answer 3

No effect on your life expectancy, however quality-of-life is another issue. As the discs degenerate, you are going to have less mobility and probably pain/numbness. While it may seem counter-intuitive, it is important for you to exercise and stretch to slow down this process. Listen to your body...if something hurts...don't do that...but don't stop exercising. It might be a good idea, if you can afford it, to have a personal coach give you a few lessons on exercises that are good for you. At the very least, you should be able to walk...maybe bike ride. But don't forget stretching.

Answer 4

It shouldn't effect the length of your life. My father has had degenerative disk disease for as long as i can recall and he's 65.

Answer 5

Normal.