Liver blood tests are some of the most commonly performed blood tests. These tests can be used to assess liver functions or liver injury. An initial step in detecting liver damage is a simple blood test to determine the level of certain liver enzymes (proteins) in the blood.
1 Degeneration (deterioration) of the disc makes the disc more susceptible to herniation (rupture), which can lead to localized or radiating pain. 2  Sciatica can result from disc herniation ( ruptured disc ) when nerves in the low back are irritated.
Degenerative disc disease is believed to occur in patients who have variable degrees of degeneration of the disc in association with intervertebral disc mediated pain. A concordantly painful discogram is believed by some surgeons and clinicians to be the gold standard method of diagnosis.