Degenerative disc disease can be difficult to live with, but it’s also a condition that can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. If you have DDD, you will need to meet specific criteria listed by the Social Security Administration to qualify. These requirements include physical limitations and a lack of job opportunities in the US economy.
Is degenerative disc disease a chronic condition?
Degenerative disc disease is a common condition in the spine, particularly in areas that move. It occurs when the disc material dehydrates, reducing its height and flexibility. While the condition is not usually associated with pain or neurological compression, it may cause spinal instability, which can lead to pain that is disabling.
Disc degeneration also leads to leaks of proteins, which cause inflammation and trigger muscle spasms. As a result, the spinal canal becomes narrowed, compressing the spinal cord and nerves. In some cases, pain can last for weeks. This condition may also lead to weakness and numbness in the legs and arms.
Degenerative disc disease can be a chronic condition, but it doesn’t need to be a long-term problem. In fact, it can be treated through nonsurgical methods. For instance, you can have spinal injections to manage the symptoms. If the pain is severe, you may also have surgery.
What can they do for degenerative disc disease?
When you suffer from degenerative disc disease, your pain can be excruciating. Fortunately, there are many treatments that can help relieve your pain and ease the suffering. Depending on your pain level and the extent of your degeneration, your doctor may recommend physical therapy, medications, or both. Physical therapy can help improve flexibility in your spine and strengthen the muscles in your neck and back.
Your doctor can also use surgical procedures to treat your pain. An anterior cervical discectomy, for example, removes the damaged disc and replaces it with a bone graft. This process allows your vertebrae to re-fuse together and stabilize the spine. Alternatively, a cervical corpectomy may be performed, which removes part of a vertebra to reduce compression on the cervical spinal cord. A metal plate or bone graft can also be inserted to stabilize your spine. In addition to these treatments, your doctor may suggest that you take over-the-counter medications to reduce pain and inflammation. Another treatment option is an epidural steroid injection, which can reduce inflammation and help alleviate back pain.
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease vary from person to person. However, they can include painful periods lasting from a few days to months. This pain can range from nagging to severe and can be extremely debilitating. Your doctor may recommend low-impact exercise and healthy eating habits to help you manage your condition. Physical therapy is also recommended to strengthen your back and core to support the discs that are affected. Your physical therapist can also prescribe a back brace to support your spine.
What causes degenerative disc disease?
Degenerative disc disease affects the discs in the spine, causing them to lose fluid and lose their outer layers. As a result, they lose their ability to cushion the spinal cord and bones and can result in painful symptoms. The pain can range from a mild nagging pain to severe agony. Some people also experience numbness and tingling in the arms, legs, and feet. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.
Disc degeneration can be caused by trauma to the spine, repetitive motion, and aging. The loss of disc fluid causes the outer annulus layer to become thin and more susceptible to tear. This in turn causes the disc to narrow, making it less flexible and reducing the ability of the disc to absorb shock. This can also cause the outer layer of the disc to tear, causing jelly-like material to leak out. This can cause pain throughout the back, buttocks, and legs.
In advanced stages, surgery may be needed. This procedure involves removing part or the entire damaged disc and replacing it with an artificial one. In some severe cases, the surgeon may also fuse the spinal bones together.
Is bulging discs a disability?
Bulging discs occur when the discs in your spine no longer have the cushioning capacity they used to have. This condition can result in nerve pain, weakness, and difficulty walking. Because the discs are located in the spine, they are also vulnerable to injury and wear and tear. The outer layer of the disc dehydrates, causing it to become prone to deformation when you lift heavy objects or sit for prolonged periods of time.
In order to qualify for disability benefits, you must show that you have been suffering from degenerative disc disease for at least 12 months. Even if the condition resolves itself after a few years, it is still considered degenerative disc disease. The SSA’s disability listing is detailed, and applicants must prove that their condition is debilitating and prevents them from working.
A VA disability rating for bulging discs is easier to obtain than many other types of medical conditions. Because the condition can be caused by a number of physical activities (including PT), the VA is more likely to approve your claim. Further, medical records indicating that you suffered from bulging discs while you were serving can establish a connection between the condition and the service. Another option is to submit your records from a private physician.
Is degenerative disk disease arthritis?
If you’re suffering from back pain and stiffness, you may have degenerative disc disease. The pain can range from dull and intermittent to excruciating. Your doctor can prescribe prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers, as well as muscle relaxants to help you deal with the pain. In severe cases, your doctor may perform spinal injections or suggest surgery to reduce the inflammation and alleviate back pain.
Degenerative disc disease is a progressive condition in which one or more of the spinal discs lose their strength. It is not a disease itself, but rather the result of age-related wear and tear. The discs between the vertebrae are the shock absorbers in your back, and as they age, they begin to lose elasticity and can become damaged. As a result, they can bulge, tear, or flatten. While not everyone will experience pain as a result of degenerative disc disease, those who experience it may be unable to carry out basic daily activities.
Other symptoms of degenerative disc disease include a decrease in muscle strength and muscle weakness. Pain can be localized or can radiate to the arms, legs, or butt. Depending on the type of degenerative disc, it may be difficult to determine the cause of the pain. You should consult a healthcare provider as soon as you notice the pain.
Is disc desiccation a disability?
Disc desiccation is a common symptom of degenerative disc disease, a condition in which spinal discs lose fluid and are prone to faster degeneration. It can cause limited range of motion, numbness, pain, and weakness. If you have degenerative disc disease, you can qualify for disability benefits if you have proper medical evidence.
Desiccation of discs is a natural process and happens to everyone at one time or another. It can occur over time or as a result of trauma. When disc fluid is lost, it is replaced by tough fibrocartilage that restricts the disc’s range of motion. This condition can cause pain, weakness, and stiffness in the back. It may also affect bladder control and bowel movement.
If you have degenerative disc disease, you can qualify for disability benefits from the VA. The VA uses a diagnostic code to rate musculoskeletal conditions and factors in range of motion when awarding a specific percentage rating for disability. Typically, individuals with degenerative disc disease will receive a disability rating between 10 and 20%. Once your doctors diagnose you, they will examine your condition and develop a treatment plan to prevent further damage.