Degenerative disc disease is not an actual disease in the traditional sense of the word. Instead, degeneration occurs when the discs in the spine become worn. Healthy discs act as shock absorbers, allowing for freedom in range of motion and movement. Over time, these discs can become worn due to wear and tear, leading to back pain as the vertebrae along the spinal cord fail to respond to external pressures. Disc degeneration is a natural occurrence over time but can be aggravated after trauma, such as slip and fall accidents, motor vehicle collisions, workplace injuries, and other incidents.
To better understand degenerative disc disease, consider these risk factors:
- Arthritis
- High body mass index (“BMI”)
- Advanced age
- Smoking
- High-stress employment
- Chronic neck and back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- History of trauma
These risk factors lead to a higher risk that your spinal discs have degenerated. Since degeneration occurs in most people due to the natural aging process, doctors have developed treatments to lessen low back pain, neck strain, and other related stressors due to spinal pain radiating throughout the body.
Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease
It is first necessary to note that there are sometimes no symptoms of arthritis of the spine. Studies have shown that some people have disc herniations, bulges, and tears in certain spinal discs without knowing because these clinical findings are not always indicative of pain.
In other cases, the symptoms of degenerative disc disease are severe, including debilitating pain, numbness, and tingling, known as paresthesia, and permanent nerve damage. Not only do these symptoms prevent resuming normal activities of daily living, but they can also worsen with time. Studies show that more than fifty factors may lead to or increase the prevalence of lower back pain; the science behind disc degeneration continues to evolve. While symptoms vary, they generally include pain along the cervical spine, neck, lumbar spine, or lower back. The pain often radiates throughout the arms, buttocks, and extremities. Fatigue can increase with prolonged periods of sitting, standing or walking.
Signs of degenerative disc disease often begin with the intervertebral discs. The discs can bulge or herniate, resulting in various forms of pain. Traumatic events can cause immediate pain that requires hospitalization, while chronic conditions can cause similar symptoms but result in more gradual pain, accumulating with time. The discs themselves are imperfect, natural tissues. Surrounded by an outer layer, the inner fluid forms a cushion, similar to a jelly donut. If that fluid escapes its housing, the friction between the backbones can cause pain, along with the pain of the leaking fluid.
Treatment Options
Conservative Care
The first line of defense is self-care. Staying well hydrated, getting enough sleep, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help alleviate back pain, which can subside on its own over time. When those steps fail to result in meaningful relief, physical therapy can improve stability, reduce pain, and increase movement range. Physical therapy includes acupuncture, massages, electrical stimulation, exercises, and chiropractic care. Meeting with a physical therapist regularly can reduce inflammation and lessen pain levels. Studies have shown that regular treatment sessions positively affect the reduction of stress and fatigue, resulting in a positive outlook and healthy mental attitude. A physiotherapist’s recovery plan can also illustrate how to reduce the risk of succumbing to future back pain, especially for athletes, parents with young children, and recent trauma victims. For patients hoping to avoid surgery, active participation in physical therapy recovery programs offers this very option. When a course of therapy fails, pain management and surgical care remain viable alternatives for treatment.
Pain Management Treatment
A pain management doctor can evaluate common symptoms and offer a diagnosis based upon your health information—many people with back or neck symptoms present for pain management advice every day. The New York Spine Specialists professionals can assist with your treatment, which may include steroids, pain injections, medications, and other non-surgical interventions. Pain management specialists are also familiar with non-traditional treatments and alternative therapies as options for pain relief. When these treatments no longer provide relief, consider the variety of surgical procedures that have been developed to alleviate back pain, including the discectomy, fusion, and percutaneous discectomy procedures.
Surgical Care
Based upon your course of treatment and the available disc images through X-rays or MRI scans, a doctor may recommend surgical treatment to treat degenerative disc disease. Surgical options range from minor treatments to extensive surgeries, but the goal remains the same – reduce pain while interfering as little as possible with the patient’s life. The percutaneous discectomy involves using a Stryker needle to remove part of the damaged intervertebral disc for minor procedures. The procedure involves little recovery time, and patients may see improvements in days or weeks shortly after completing the procedure. For more complex procedures, consider spinal fusion, which involves joining two or more vertebrae to restore spinal stability. Other treatment options include the artificial disc replacement or an interbody steel cage’s insertion to occupy the space where a disc has been removed.
Contact a New York Spine Specialist to Learn More
Do not try to treat degenerative disc disease on your own. A misdiagnosis or failure to timely treatment could increase pain, result in blood clots in the legs, depression, and reduced range of motion. While degenerative disc disease cannot be reversed, seeking professional medical assistance is always the wise choice. Whatever your level of pain, there is treatment available to improve your condition. Research continues to show that back pain is the leading complaint amongst people as they age. If treated early enough, conditions can improve through examination, diagnosis, pain management, and routine treatment. Specialists are available to provide solutions to your problems and help in any capacity available. Contact us today at (516) 355-0111 or request an appointment.