Degenerative Disc Disease

What is a Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disk disease is when normal changes that take place in the disks of your spine cause pain. Spinal disks are like shock absorbers between the vertebrae, or bones, of your spine. They help your back stay flexible, so you can bend and twist. As you get older, they can show signs of wear and tear. They begin to break down and may not work as well. Nearly everyone’s disks break down over time, but not everyone feels pain. If worn-out spinal disks are the reason you’re hurting, you have degenerative disk disease.

Causes of a Degenerative Disc Disease

Your spinal disks are made up of a soft inner core and a tough outer wall. The disks change in ways that may cause degenerative disk disease, such as:Dry out. When you’re born, the disks in your spine are mostly made up of water. As you age, they lose water and get thinner. Flatter disks can’t absorb shocks as well. The water loss also means less cushion or padding between your vertebrae. This can lead to other problems in your spine that may cause pain.

Crack. The stress of everyday movements and minor injuries over the years can cause tiny tears in the outer wall, which contains nerves. Any tears near the nerves can become painful. And if the wall breaks down, the disk’s soft core may push through the cracks. The disk may bulge, or slip out of place, which is called a slipped or herniated disk. It can affect nearby nerves.

Degenerative Disc Disease Treatments

The goal is to ease pain and stop more damage. Your doctor will suggest the best plan for you, based on your symptoms and how serious your condition is. Treatment may include:Medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen can help fight inflammation. They can ease your pain and lessen swelling. Your doctor may prescribe a stronger drug for pain if you need it.

Degenerative disk disease may also lead to muscle spasms. Your doctor may suggest medicine to help relieve them.

Physical therapy. Specific movements make the muscles in your neck and back stronger and more flexible. This supports the spine.

In most cases, physical therapy and pain medication are enough for long-term relief.

Steroid Injections. These have strong medications to ease pain, swelling, and inflammation. Your doctor may suggest you get a shot in the epidural space in your back, a fluid-filled area around the spinal cord, or get one in your nerve or muscle.

Surgery

If other conservative treatments don’t work, surgery might be recommended. One procedure, called a discectomy, removes the injured part of the disk. This helps take pressure off your nerves. In some cases, Artificial Disc Replacement might be recommended. If you have a severe problem, a fusion (to permanently connect the vertebrae in your spine) might be recommended.

Degenerative Disc Disease

What is a Degenerative Disc Disease?

Causes of a Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease Treatments

Surgery

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