Degenerative Disc Disease: History

Degenerative Disc Disease: History

Degenerative Disc Disease otherwise known as DDD was first thought to be discovered in second century AD by the Galen who eventually discovered kyphosis and scoliosis. But even before the Galen, this disease was mentioned by Hippocrates who learned about it with accordance to sciatica and lower back pain. It wasn't until the Arabic made more advances, in which spinal disorders were diagnosed. In 1933, Degenerative Disc Disease was first established when it was first described by neurosurgeon William Mixter and orthopedic spine surgeon Joseph Barr.

 Although spinal surgeries weren't popular until the 70’s, spinal disorders were around long before Mixter and Barr’s time. Progress on this disease was slow after the 70's, and it wasn't until the late century that the first surgery was done on Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). Even today studies are still being done on this disease and understanding how to treat it.