Degenerative Disc Disease

Question 1

Stage 1 - Dysfunction

Answer 1

• Most c/o back pain fall into this category
• minor structural changes
• mild, intermittent complaints
• local to area or side of body
• pain not usually referred below knee
• pain decreased with movement, increased with rest

Question 2

Stage 2 - Instability

Answer 2

• Symptom frequency increases
• insidious onset, without trauma
• mechanism is usually continued stress
• symptoms may be similar to dysfunction, may describe back feels weak, like it is going to give way

Question 3

Stage 3- Stabilization

Answer 3

• history of back pain becoming less incapacitation
• LE pain more common
• Stiffness related to degenerative changes

Question 4

What is the leading cause of disability in the elderly

Answer 4

knee OA

Question 5

When is PT most valuable

Answer 5

during exacerbation

Question 6

PT interventions

Answer 6

• maintain joint and soft tissue mobility
• flexibility and general strengthening
• implementation of aerobic capacity/endurance conditioning