Back

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) refers to the gradual deterioration of the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae. DDD is a misnomer as it is not actually a disease but a condition that affects the strength, resilience, and structural integrity of the intervertebral discs due to advancing age, trauma, injury, repetitive movement, improper posture, or poor body mechanics. DDD is commonly seen in individuals over 50 years of age. Most of them are usually not aware of their condition until they are examined for some other related health condition.

Disc herniation is a condition where the central nucleus pushes through the outer edge of the disc, causing a bulge that compresses the spinal nerves. Obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking increase the risk of lumbar disc herniation.

Back pain or backache is the pain felt in the back that may originate from damage to the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems experienced by most people at some time in their life. It can be acute, usually lasting from a few days to a few weeks, or chronic, lasting for more than three months.

Back and leg pain can be defined as discomfort or uncomfortable sensations felt in the back and leg areas of the body. The pain can be persistent or intermittent, develop gradually or suddenly, and can be felt on your whole back or leg or a specific region. It can be characterized as stabbing, sharp, dull, or aching pain.

Facet joint arthritis, also known as facet joint syndrome, is a form of arthritis that affects the facet joints of the spine. This condition is related to the aging process. Loss of cartilage and synovial fluid in these joints causes friction due to contact between the bones. This results in the development of osteophytes or bone spurs in or around the facet joints. Bone spurs are the bony growths formed along the edges of the bones.