Christian Athanassious, MD, of Santa Rosa (Calif.) Orthopaedics, discussed the results of a recent study on degenerative disc disease risk.
Here are five insights.
1. A recent study published in The Spine Journal revealed more than 30 percent of 1,200 people aged 40 years to 59 years showed signs of moderate to severe DDD. The researchers leveraged CT scans taken six years apart to study disc disease and spinal osteoarthritis. The patient population was from the Framingham Study, which included data from residents in Framingham, Mass.
2. The researchers also found 600-plus patients had moderate to severe spinal osteoarthritis.
3. Dr. Athanassious says DDD results in chronic pain and reduced functionality. "This phenomenon is more common in the flexible and weight-bearing areas of the spine, particularly in the lower back or lumbar region, and in the neck," he notes.
4. He serves as medical director of Santa Rosa Orthopaedics Total Spine Health Program, which leverages diagnostics testing, minimally invasive surgical techniques and therapies to enhance mobility.
5. Dr. Athanassious completed his spine surgery fellowship at Stanford University in California.