Degenerative Disc Disease

Symptoms

DDD can cause pain, weakness, or numbness. Symptoms depend on the location and type of disc degeneration. However, the primary symptoms of degenerative disc disease include sharp and/or chronic pain in the back and neck.

Common signs include:

• Pain Comes and goes. It can be mild or severe and can last from a few days to a few months.
• Pain feels worse when you bend, lift, or twist, gets better when you change positions or lie down
• Pain worsens when you sit, and feels better when you move and walk

In some cases, nerves in the spine are compressed or pinched, which leads to numbness and tingling in your arms and legs. Compression of the spinal cord itself is referred to as myelopathy. A patient with myelopathy may have difficulty walking, and may even experience loss of bladder and bowel control. You should see an expert spine doctor if you get these symptoms.

Causes

Degenerative disc disease is a condition where one or more discs in the spine deteriorate. Some of the causes of degenerative disc disease are:

• Aging: As you get older, the discs lose water and become thinner. Flatter discs can't absorb shocks well and can cause DDD.
• Injury or overuse: Minor injuries can cause cracks or tears in discs or bones. And if the wall breaks down, the disc's tissue may push through the cracks. The disk may bulge, or slip out of place, which is called a slipped or herniated disc.
• Obesity: Excess weight puts more pressure on the spine and discs and can be one of the reasons for DDD.
• Smoking: Smoking reduces blood flow to the discs and accelerates their degeneration and causes DDD.
• Occupation: Working a physically demanding job that involves lifting, bending, or twisting can strain the spine and discs.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) Diagnosis of DDD involves a thorough evaluation by your spine specialist. The process may include the following steps:

Medical History: Your spine consultant will talk to you about your medical history and your symptoms. They may ask you:

• When the pain started
• Which part of your spine hurts
• If it has spread to other parts of your body
• If you've had past spine injuries
• If you have a family history of similar problems
• Any factors that worsen or alleviate it.

Physical Examination

If needed your spine consultant will conduct a physical to assess your spine’s range-of-motion and strength. Additionally, movement tests that determine which motions or positions alleviate or worsen pain can help indicate where pain is produced or what is the origin area of the pain. The spine consultant will also examine your posture and spinal alignment.

Imaging Tests

Various imaging studies are useful to visualize the spine's structure and identify abnormalities. These tests may include:

X-rays: Can provide detailed images of spine bones and help detect bone spurs, misalignment, or narrowing of the space between vertebrae.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A more detailed scan that generates detailed images of the soft tissues, including discs, nerves, and spinal cord.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: CT scan offers a clear view of the bones and spinal canal.

Discography: It involves injecting a contrast dye into a disc and then taking scans. It is helpful in identifying potential sources of pain. Some pain or pressure may be felt when the contrast dye is injected.

Treatment

At EndoSpine360, we understand that each individual's experience with degenerative disc disease is unique, and our treatment approach is also based on that.

If you suspect you have DDD symptoms, it's essential to get timely advice from an experienced Spine consultant for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Here's how you can start:

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Sciatica

• Heat or cold therapy
  Applying cold packs can help decrease discomfort linked to a damaged disc, while the application of heat packs reduces inflammation, which is a common cause of pain.
• Over-the-counter medications
  Acetaminophen serves as a viable pain-relieving option for addressing DDD-related discomfort. Alternatively, ibuprofen not only alleviates pain but also reduces inflammation. **Both medications can cause side effects when taken with other medications, so ask your doctor which one is the most appropriate for you.
• Prescription pain relievers
  When over-the-counter pain relievers are ineffective, you may consider prescription versions. These pain management options should be used with care as they carry the risk of dependency and should be used only in cases where the pain is severe.
• Physiotherapy
  Engaging in physical therapy under the guidance of a professional physiotherapist can significantly help in strengthening of back muscles and in reducing pain. With consistent effort, you can see good improvement in pain levels, posture, and overall mobility.

Surgical Treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease

In many cases, your spine consultant might find the need for Surgery. It depends on the severity of your condition. Artificial disc replacement or a spinal fusion are surgical options usually suggested for DDD.

In artificial disc replacement, the affected disc is replaced with a new one made of plastic and metal. Spinal fusion, on the other hand, entails connecting affected vertebrae together as a means of stability and strength.

Deciding on surgery necessitates careful consideration of the severity of your condition and consultation with your spine consultant.

Our spine specialists at Endospine360 work together to identify the anatomical changes caused by degenerative disc disease. Based on the results of advanced diagnostic imaging tests, they create a personalized treatment plan to help you manage symptoms and remain active.