Degenerative Disc Disease

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Degenerative Disc Disease: Definition

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc, which is often called degenerative disc disease (DDD) or osteoarthritis of the spine, is a common disorder of the lower spine. Disc degeneration can lead to disorders such as spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal that houses the spinal cord and nerve roots; can be lumbar or cervical, spondylolisthesis (forward slippage of the disc and vertebra), and retrolisthesis (backward slippage of the disc and vertebra).

Actually, degenerative disc disease is not a disease but, rather, a degenerative condition that can be painful and can greatly affect your quality of life. Disc degeneration is a normal part of aging and is generally not a problem by itself. However, when bone spurs grow adjacent to the discs, they can pinch or put pressure on the nearby nerve roots or spinal canal, and pain can occur.

Degenerative Disc Disease: Treatments

• Cervical Fusion
• Prosthetic Disc Nucleus, a treatment that we recommend everyone with DDD read about
• Disc Replacement
• Discectomy
• Lumbar Fusion

Degenerative Disc Disease: Symptoms

Often, patients suffering from degenerative disc disease do not show symptoms. When symptoms are present, however, chronic low back pain sometimes radiates to the hips, or there is an aching pain in the buttocks or thighs while walking. Similar pain may be felt or may increase while sitting, bending, lifting, and twisting. While the degeneration of the disc will likely progress as a natural part of the aging process, pain symptoms such as low back pain often decrease over time.

Degenerative Disc Disease: Understanding Disc Pain

It is not clear why some degenerative discs are painful and some are not. After an injury, some discs become painful because of inflammation. Some people have nerve endings that penetrate more deeply into the annulus fibrosus, or outer layer of the disc, than others, making the disc more susceptible to becoming a source of pain. Pain that radiates down the leg, known as sciatica or lumbago, is the result of the nerve root encountering the inner disc material, or the nucleus pulposus, an inflammatory substance that also puts pressure on the nerve. These conditions can cause symptoms such as severe leg pain, difficulty standing and walking, and weakness or numbness in the legs. Degenerative disc diseasecan lead to a chronic debilitating condition and can have a serious negative impact on a person’s quality of life. When degenerative disc disease is severe, traditional nonoperative treatment is often ineffective.

Degenerative Disc Disease: Treatment Options

Often, degenerative disc diseasecan be successfully treated without surgery. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chiropractic treatments, or spinal injections often provide adequate relief of these troubling symptoms. Surgery may be recommended if the conservative treatment options do not provide relief within 2 to 3 months. If leg or back pain limits normal activity, if there is weakness or numbness in the legs, if it is difficult to walk or stand, or if medication or physical therapy are ineffective, surgery may be necessary, most often spinal fusion.

Osteopathic treatment treats various aspects of the degenerative process returning the back to optimal functioning. The treatment involves gentle stretches and manipulation to the facet joints of the spine. Relaxation techniques to the resultant muscle spasm. The osteopath will not just treat the degenerate area but treat the whole spine.

For a free evaluation of your treatment needs and cost, please contact us.

The information provided herein is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

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