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What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) refers to a syndrome in which a deteriorating intervertebral disc causes chronic pain. There are three types of DDD:

• Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
• Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
• Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease is a gradual process that commonly compromises the lumbar spine.

The intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine are structures prone to the degenerative changes associated with wear and tear, aging, and misuse (e.g. smoking).

Degenerative changes in the lumbar spine often cause the loss of normal structure and/or loss of function in the legs.

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease is less common than DDD in the lumbar spine because there is substantially less force exerted across the cervical spine during normal motion.

Sometimes, however, an injury to a disc in the cervical region of the spine may start a cascade of Degenerative Disc Disease that leads to chronic neck or arm pain.

Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease

Thoracic Degenerataive Disc Disease is not as common as lumbar or cervical Degenerative Disc Disease due to the natural resistance of the middle and upper back regions to the typical degenerative changes which are part of the aging process. The thoracic spine is not meant to enable significant vertebral level movement. Instead, it is designed primarily as a protective and supportive structure which safeguards our bodily organs and forms the framework of the ribcage.

Learn more about degenerative disc disease:
Home
Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease
Treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease

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The Bonati Procedures are considered to be among the world’s best solutions for laser spine surgery. We advocate lumbar, thoracic, and cervical degenerative disc disease patients to be well informed, and we encourage you to contact us to request more information, a no-obligation MRI or a personal telephone consultation.