Is degenerative disc disease hereditary?  | Dr. Todd Lanman

One of the reasons you can't prevent degenerative disc disease is that it's usually hereditary. I've seen patients as young as their teens who eventually need surgery. But I also see patients who are well into their 80s and all they have is a slight bulge in one disc. Degenerative disc disease, which is a precursor for disc herniations, often runs so closely in families that it is not uncommon to have parents and their children as patients. If you have a family history for degenerative disc disease, it may be prudent to get checked out by a physician early and often. If treated early, your degenerative disc disease can be treated with non-invasive modalities (e.g., fitness, physical therapy, outpatient surgery). Some of my patients can push surgery back for months or even years. But you won't know until you call your doctor. Dr. Lanman is a board-certified neurosurgery specialist practicing medicine for 25 years with a private practice in Beverly Hills, CA. He specializes in the treatment of spinal disorders and is a leading clinical advocate for artificial disc replacement surgery. He is a professor at the University of California Los Angeles, and a member of the Cedars-Sinai Institute of Spinal Disorders. As a leading innovator in the treatment of spinal disorders, as well as a media educator and contributor, Lanman has published more than ten peer-reviewed articles, as well as book chapters on topics relating to neurological surgery, and has presented more than two dozen papers at national and regional medical society meetings. He has been tapped by colleagues to be the principal medical investigator on a broad swath of clinical trials for motion preserving surgeries and artificial disc replacement devices, most recently the Prestige LP and M6, with the former recently receiving FDA pre-market approval in 2016 with his continuous support and advocacy. Part of his constant advocacy for patients stems from his own experience as a patient. His unique insights helped him develop a program called "4D Health Process." The "process" helps him guide patients to think about their health more comprehensively and holistically. The process also incorporates some different factors including one’s age, daily lifestyle, nutrition, hormone status, physical exercise routine, and of course spine and joint health to paint a complete picture of one’s health from a four-dimensional perspective. The "4D" program relies on his meticulous analysis of each patient's current physical condition, their lifestyle, and treatment goals. He uses his decades of knowledge and expertise to shift the emphasis for how we view healthy living, aging, and the treatment of spinal disorders. His unique medical treatment approach helps him map out an entire preventative and forward-thinking strategy to help his patients live an active, healthy life, with the full natural movement of their spine. His stated goal is to help patients be greater than "better." Dr. Lanman graduated from Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL with top honors and is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed a general surgery internship and neurological surgery residency at UCLA. He is an active member of many professional societies and organizations including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS), North American Spine Society (NASS), and Fellow American College of Surgeons. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS). CREDITS Editing: Ray Wyman http://www.raywyman.com Management: Brandi Kamenar https://www.brandikamenar.com/