Risk Factors for Degenerative Disc Disease
Although degenerative disc disease is a common part of ageing life, there are some factors which have been linked with higher incidence of disc degeneration. These often relate to increased forces travelling through the spine, and include:
Carrying excess body weight
Family history of early disc degeneration
Careers involving heavy manual labour or vibrations
Active lifestyle
Conditions affecting the biomechanics of the spine, such as osteoarthritis and scoliosis