What is degenerative disc disease?
Degenerative disc disease occurs when the discs between the vertebrae of your spinal column begin to deteriorate progressively. These discs are responsible for protecting your vertebrae from shock and allowing your backbone to flex, bend, and twist. Aging causes your discs to shrink and lose their strength naturally.
As discs deteriorate, their jelly-like center starts to push out of the disc and press on surrounding nerves. This compression is what causes the chronic pain in your back or neck.
What causes degenerative disc disease?
In addition to the natural effects of aging, wear and tear on your back from a fall, injury, or repetitive activity is the most common reason your discs deteriorate. If you regularly play sports, your discs may incur unusually high amounts of wear and tear.
What are the symptoms of degenerative disc disease?
You may experience most of the discomfort and pain of degenerative disc disease in your lower back or your neck. Pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe, chronic pain.
Common symptoms of degenerative disc disease include:
- Pain in your lower back, thighs, or buttocks
- Pain in your neck
- Radiating pain into your arms and hands
- Numbness or tingling in your extremities
- Relief of pain when walking or lying down
- Pain that worsens when sitting, bending, or twisting
Degenerative disc disease-related pain may last a few days or continue for months. Your legs or foot may experience increasing weakness that may indicate nerve damage.
How is degenerative disc disease diagnosed?
Your doctor performs a physical exam and reviews your medical history. During your physical exam, your doctor may ask you to complete specific movements to gauge your pain level and range of motion. They may request an MRI to identify damage to your discs or spot other medical conditions.
What treatments are available for degenerative disc disease?
Your doctor may initially recommend medications and physical therapy to alleviate pressure on your nerves and manage pain. They may also suggest a wearable lumbar brace to provide additional support to your spine and lower back or minimally invasive procedures including:
- Facet injections: a direct injection of steroids into your lower back
- Radiofrequency ablation: uses heated energy to stun nerves for long-term pain reduction
Your doctor monitors your progress through each therapy to ensure your pain and functionality are improving. For more complex degenerative disc disease issues, they may recommend surgery.
