It's one complaint that nearly all of humankind has in common. It's one complaint that nearly all of humankind has in common.
Many people just live with it, putting up with bouts of pain.
But for a few select people, back problems are so severe they become chronic and debilitating, often requiring surgery. They hope this genetic defect may eventually be a target for gene therapy. It's quite possible that genetic defects may be the major cause of this disease. The research findings appear in the April 11 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. It often causes a herniated disk to stick into the spine resulting in sciatica, a severe pain in the lower back radiating down the back of the thigh and knee to the foot.