degenerative disc disease progression

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) describes a group of symptoms that results from age-related wear-and-tear of the spinal discs. It could also be a result of an acute spinal injury that causes the spinal column to deteriorate or break down. 

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Despite its name, degenerative disc disease is, in fact, not a disease. This is a natural occurrence that is a result of aging. The rubber-like discs between the vertebrae that act like shock absorbers allow for bending and flexing of the back. Overtime, they become worn out and are unable to provide the highest level of protection. MRIs show some kind of deterioration of the spine in the majority of patients over the age of 60. 

Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

Symptoms are dependent on which disc is degenerated. The most common early sign is pain and weakness in the back that oftentimes radiates to another area. The pain can be weak to the point where it is almost nonexistent or very severe and prevents a person from continuing daily activities. Even if a person typically only has weak or dull pain, they may experience flare ups of extremely intense pain. 

 

Pain may worsen throughout the day, due to bending, sitting, standing, and walking. Changing positions and continuing to move carefully can help prevent the pain from getting more intense. 

 

The pain begins with damage in the spine, but overtime, the discomfort can result in other conditions such as osteoarthritis. Because the pain radiates to other areas of the body, people tend to feel pain and discomfort in their buttocks and upper thigh, as well as tingling in the legs or feet. 

 

When the degenerated disc is in the cervical spine, the neck area, the pain can radiate to the shoulder, arm, or hand. 

 

Another symptom that is possible is for people to experience spinal instability, leading to muscle spasms in the lower back as the body tries to correct and stabilize the vertebrae. These spasms can be very painful. 

Treatment Options for DDD

Treatment for degenerative disc disease generally begins with nonsurgical methods. Your doctor will determine the severity of the condition and recommend treatment methods based on your individual pain. 

Nonsurgical Treatments Options

    • Medications: Your physician may suggest taking NSAIDs or over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen. These help inflammation that can ease your pain and lessen swelling. 
    • Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can help teach proper exercises to strengthen and stretch the correct muscles that help the back heal. Learning movement modifications to everyday tasks can help prevent painful flare-ups.  Specific movements make the muscles in the neck and back stronger and more flexible, allowing better spinal support. 
    • Epidural steroid Injections: These injections are minimally-invasive and help reduce inflammation and nerve compression from the collapsing disc space. The injection contains a corticosteroid and an anesthetic numbing agent. 

For most patients, physical therapy, in conjunction with pain medication, is enough long-term pain relief. 

Surgical  Treatment Options

If noninvasive treatment options do not work or if a person continues to experience severe pain, your physician may recommend surgery. 

 

Surgery may include the removal of the degenerated disc, which is then replaced with a new disc. Another option is a partial disc removal (discectomy) to help relieve pressure from your nerves. 

 

If there is a severe issue, your doctor may permanently connect (fuse) the bones in your spine after the disc is removed. This will reduce the movement in the damaged area. 

 

Along with following your doctor’s treatment recommendations, self-care goes a long way in reducing pain and strengthening your spine. Physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices like a balanced diet, reducing mental and emotional stress, and stopping smoking profoundly affect this type of musculoskeletal condition. 

 

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degenerative disc disease

Degenerative Disc Disease

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease occurs when the discs that cushion the vertebrae in the spinal column weaken or break down. This can lead to pain, weakness or numbness and can contribute to other more serious back problems.

Though disease is in the name, the condition is not contagious. There is evidence that it may be hereditary, though, meaning if your parents or grandparents had it, you may develop it as well.

What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?

In most cases, Degenerative Disc Disease is caused by the natural process of aging, but it can also be caused by injury.

The vertebrae are cushioned by rubbery, flexible discs. Like most things, they get worn over time and no longer protect as well as they once did. Think of it like the shock absorbers on a car, which provide a smooth ride at first, but over time can wear out and create other problems. In the same way, the wearing of the discs in your spine can lead to other painful conditions.

The collapse of vertebral discs can put pressure on the facet joints at the back of the spine, leading to facet joint syndrome. Bone spurs can form on these joints, putting pressure on the spinal cord, a condition known as spinal stenosis.

What are the Symptoms of this Condition?

Degenerative disc disease does not always cause pain. Some people can have the condition with no obvious signs.

For others, it will be accompanied by pain, numbness or tingling in the legs. The pain may occur in flare-ups, and may become worse with bending, twisting or sitting. Lying down may help provide relief."

What Treatments are Available?

Pontchartrain Orthopedic and Sports Medicine offers several treatment options for degenerative disc disease, including:

Physical Therapy

Treatments may include manual therapy or therapeutic exercises. Manual therapy consists of kneading or manipulating muscles and joints to help relieve pain. Therapeutic exercises can also be used to help strengthen core muscles and range of motion.

Epidural Injections

An epidural injection is when a steroid is injected into the nerves of the spine to help ease the pain as part of a full treatment plan.

Medication Management

Anti-inflammatory or pain relieving drugs may be prescribed to ease the pain and inflammation associated with degenerative disc disease.

Why Seek an Evaluation for Your Back Pain?

If you have chronic or worsening back pain, you should be evaluated. A number of conditions may cause back pain, some of them very serious. Our physicians can provide an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan to help you get relief. Contact us today to find out what treatment options are right for you. We can serve you in our conveniently located Boutte, LA clinic and our Metairie, LA clinic.

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