DJD
A healthy disc serves as a shock absorbing-transmitter providing the right amount of space between the vertebra above it and below it.
Broadly speaking the process of disc degeneration (early ageing) follows the law that, for every rule there is an exception. Four things commonly happen:
(1) The disc may allow the joints to incur excess pressure
Or
(2) the disc wall may bulge-out
Or
(3) it may press against a nerve
Or
(4) the vertebra sitting upon that failing disc may become unstable
EARLY AGEING
Our spines are motor units made up of vertebrae and discs that are prone to malfunction through excess stress.
Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is like premature ageing of parts that wear early because of long term fixation and misalignment.
Regardless if the stress initiating pressure degeneration was physical, chemical or emotional, stress adds up to stress.
Different causes such as a fall off a trike, being hurt at football, or carrying too much weight for decades, may have similar long term outcomes.
DEGENERATIVE CREEP.
People may be unaware that they have DJD or, early symptoms may be a constant dull ache associated with chronic bouts of being tired and cranky. Ignorance of creeping degeneration may lead to unintended neglect of minor early warning aches and pains which patients treat with pain killers and/or muscle relaxants.
As the disc narrows, the two vertebrae come closer together causing an abnormal loss of joint motion. The unbuffered joint surfaces, which are rich in nerve endings, may begin grinding against each other. This may cause degeneration (early ageing) of the smooth surfaces of the joints.
Easily subluxated vertebrae, frequently, rest upon a narrow disc. Unstable motor units may be upset by a minor stress with subsequent dramatic symptoms. Patients with acute, severe symptoms may describe minor stresses such as; "I just flicked my hair back after a shower." "As I bent over the wash basin, all I did was cough." "My foot just caught a raised concrete slab in a footpath and away it went." "All I did was kick a brick." Perhaps the saddest statement of childish wishing is: "I thought it just might go away." Spinal care, including chiropractic, should be a lifetime affair.
The bottom line for DJD is;
"Avoid starting it! If you have it, don't neglect it!"