Spinal disorders/disease - genetic?

[cathydownunder]

Just found out one of my sisters has been diagnosed with bulging discs at L4/5, L5/S1, stenosis and facet degeneration. Almost a mirror image of my spine!! Another 2 have hip pain so that leaves only 1 of us without a dodgy back.
Does anyone else have siblings with the same spinal issues as them? Is it possible (or probable) that there's a genetic link and if so how do we stop our kids from inheriting it?
Just curious.
NB. Our mother was taking some pretty powerful drugs to prevent miscarriages during her pregnancies...makes you wonder if there's a connection.

[Justin]

Kathy,

There are genetic risk factors for degenerative disc disease. Many studies have been done with identical twins--identical twins have the same genetic DNA. Whereas, dizygotic twins (fraternal) twins share only half of their genetic DNA, as do "traditional" brothers and sisters.

I am a dizygotic twin--my brother has some had some back problems in the past (mostly muscular), but not the extent that I have had.

There is no way to prevent offspring of inheriting genetic traits. However, genetics show variable expression from one individual to the next (it can get extremely complicated, as mulitple genes may be involved).

The easiest way to help our kids is for them to make good choices concerning lifestyle (as well as environmental factors that they are exposed to). One can't change their genetics, but one can change many enviromental factors, which can directly affect genetics.

Justin

[Harrison]

There’s a UK study (called Eurodisc) that looks into these questions, see:

http://www.physiol.ox.ac.uk/EURODISC/
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Interplay of Age, Environmental and Genetic Factors

Also, an interesting Chinese study:

http://english.people.com.cn/200403/...0_137044.shtml
A survey by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) shows genetic mutation is one of the causes of degenerative disc disease in Chinese people.

From PubMed:
Familial predisposition for lumbar degenerative disc disease. A case-control study.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retri...589542&dopt=Abstract

[ZorroSF]

I don't know about anybody else, but I have flat feet. Since I didn't have the best family life there were no visits to a podiatrist. For me, flat feet created bunions (degerative joint) and the imbalance just went right up my back.

Something that hasn't been brought up is why the disposition exists as opposed to genetic markers. I think there can be many reasons. Flat feet; Muscular imbalance; scoliosis, etc...


I also think you raise a debate. Since insurance companies are becoming horribly greedy, will genentic markers that show a disposition in a parent prevent the younger one's from receiving care?

[Terry]

Good Point! Pre-existing condition from the womb. Shhh! Don't give em any ideas .

Terry Newton

[Justin]

Good Point! Pre-existing condition from the womb. Shhh! Don't give em any ideas

Genetic testing is a slippery slope on so many different levels.

Justin

[ZorroSF]

very true, but it will eventually happen.


It started in Iceland under the premonition that it would help icelanders track cancer and other deadly disease killing genes with the hope of finding a cure. Well the company went out of business and their personal information was sold to a French firm. I doubt it will come back to haunt the icelanders, but the race for the cure will now be conducted by someone else.

Here in the US people are scared to get an AIDS test because it is widely known that if your insurance company finds out you're receiving an AIDS test they get nervous and drop the subscriber from their company. The way around it was to go to the local city health clinic and get the test done under a pseudonym or number.

I am very worried with the healthcare system today. It's already difficult enough to find a decent insurance company that pays their fair share. Having a track record in the family for a disease marker would make those actuaries a pretty penny and leave many uninsured in their wake.