DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE
Scroll down
While degenerative disc disease (DDD) isn’t curable, there are various surgical and non-surgical options you can explore to stop or slow disc degeneration and alleviate your symptoms. At Citrus Spine Institute, we specialize in helping people effectively diagnose and treat DDD, so that they can live free of lifelong pain and improve their quality of life.
Degenerative disc disease is linked to:
Your symptoms will vary depending on the extent of degeneration and the affected disc location.
Unfortunately, this disease doesn’t improve over time and there is no cure. If you’re experiencing symptoms, don’t ignore them. Take action before your condition gets worse by scheduling a consultation with a spinal specialist. There are many pain management treatments and minimally invasive procedures that can drastically improve your quality of life.
If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms above, you may have degenerative disc disease. The only way to know for sure is to visit your doctor and get an official diagnosis. They will learn the severity of your case and help you find relief.
Your doctor will likely start your consultation by looking into your history and asking questions like:
It may be a good idea to think of the answers to these questions before your appointment, especially if you don’t know the answers offhand — like family history, for example. In addition, it will be helpful during the diagnosis process if you create a list of questions you have for your doctor.
Collecting your medical history is only part of the diagnosis process. You may also undergo a physical examination. Your doctor may ask you to perform simple movements, like bending forward or turning your neck, to assess your mobility and pain. You may also be assessed for reflex, motor skills and muscle strength.
Depending on your doctor’s initial assessment and the types of symptoms you are experiencing, they may also require the following tests:
After you’ve been diagnosed with this DDD, your doctor may recommend various types of treatment.
To help with pain management, they might recommend over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, prescription medications or muscle relaxants in cases where the surrounding nerves are impacted, which can cause painful muscle spasms.
Your doctor may also suggest an epidural steroid injection — a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that reduces inflammation and alleviates back pain. These shots are quick and simple, and have been shown to help immensely with DDD treatment.
In mild cases where a sedentary lifestyle or obesity are risk factors that could worsen symptoms, your doctor may recommend low-impact, daily exercise and healthy dietary changes. If your pain isn’t immobilizing, physical therapy that strengthens your core and back can help support the affected discs. A physical therapist will show you at-home exercises and may recommend a back brace for increased stability.
If conservative treatment doesn’t help, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to alleviate your symptoms.
Degenerative disc disease is not life-threatening, but if left untreated, can lead to debilitating pain, permanent damage, and other serious symptoms and conditions such as spinal osteoarthritis, herniated discs, spinal stenosis and potentially paralysis.
Spinal osteoarthritis causes the affected discs and surrounding joints to become inflamed and deteriorate, and can potentially cause bone spurs that put additional pressure on your nerves — causing weakness and pain in your extremities. A herniated disc can irritate the surrounding nerves, resulting in numbness, inflammation, pain and weakness in your extremities. Spinal stenosis (also known as pinched nerves) can lead to pain, numbness and tingling in your back, neck and extremities, and in severe cases, incontinence.
Because of this, it’s important to stay on top of your spinal health. If you suspect you have degenerative disc disease, don’t delay in contacting a spinal specialist.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of this disease, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with a spinal specialist to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. After your diagnosis, it’s important to stick to your treatment plan and regimen. Communicate any changes with your doctor and schedule regular check-ups to track the progression of your condition so that you can change course accordingly.
In addition to following your doctor’s recommendations, there are some things you want to avoid with degenerative disc disease. Practice good posture and avoid strenuous activities or being completely sedentary — both of which could worsen your condition.
6099 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy
Crystal River, FL 34429
As a boutique medical practice offering non-surgical and surgical treatment options for spine patients, we provide white-glove service paired with trusted expertise.
Copyright © 2020 Citrus Spine Institute. All rights reserved.