WHAT IS DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE?
As discs lose their water content because of disease or age, they lose their height, bringing the vertebrae closer together. As a result, the nerve openings in your spine become narrower. When this happens, the discs don’t absorb the shocks as well, particularly when you are walking, running, or jumping.
WHAT CAUSES DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE?
For some of us, degenerative disc disease is part of the natural process of growing older. As we age, our intervertebral discs can lose their flexibility, elasticity, and shock-absorbing characteristics. For others, degenerative disc disease can stem from an injury to the back.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE?
Degenerative disc disease may cause back and/or leg pain, as well as functional problems such as tingling or numbness in your legs or buttocks, or difficulty walking.
HOW IS DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE DIAGNOSED?
The diagnosis of degenerative disc disease begins with a physical examination of the body, with special attention paid to the back and lower extremities.
Your doctor will examine your back for flexibility, range of motion, and the presence of certain signs that suggest that your nerve roots are being affected by degenerative changes in your back. This often involves testing the strength of your muscles and your reflexes to make sure that they are still working normally.
You will often be asked to fill out a diagram that asks you where your symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness are occurring. X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be ordered.
HOW IS DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE TREATED?
Treatments can vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and how much they limit your everyday activities. Here are some treatments you may want to discuss with your doctor, depending on your level of pain:
- Non-surgical treatments: Not all patients with pain from degenerative disc disease require surgery. For mild to moderate pain, more conservative treatment methods can include medications, physical therapy, and chiropractic care.
- Spinal fusion: A procedure called a spinal fusion can be used to surgically treat degenerative disc disease. Learn more about spinal fusion.
- Targeted drug delivery: For severe chronic pain from spinal stenosis, targeted drug delivery may be a treatment option when more conservative treatments are not helping to relieve pain.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.