Degenerative Disc Disease

What is degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease is an age-related condition that affects the shock-absorbing discs between your vertebrae.

Spinal discs are pads of tissue that have an interior consistency of jelly, surrounded by a tough outer coating. They protect each vertebra, stopping the bones from rubbing together and absorbing shock during physical activity.

As your body ages, your discs begin to break down. For some people, this wear and tear is largely unnoticeable. But for others, it can cause a great deal of pain. Back pain that’s caused by worn-out spinal discs is called degenerative disc disease. Despite its name, degenerative disc disease is not actually a disease. 

What are the symptoms of degenerative disc disease?

Many people who have degenerative disc disease don’t experience any severe symptoms, but if your discs get too dry and flat, your neck or back can ache because of the loss of protection. The vertebrae can start to rub together, causing osteoarthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

If the outer shell of the disc cracks or develops a weak spot, the inner core can push against it, bulging into the spinal canal. It doesn’t take much pressure for a bulging disc to rupture, becoming a herniated disc.

You might experience stiffness in your back and aching when you have degenerative disc disease. If the structures in your back or a herniated disc start pressing on any nerves, you also experience pain. This could spread into your neck and arm or your lower back and leg, depending on which nerves are affected.

You might also have tingling, prickling, or pins and needles sensations in the affected limbs.

What treatments are available for degenerative disc disease?

The team at NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin starts you off on a conservative treatment plan designed to improve your symptoms and heal tissue damage. Your treatment program might include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy
• Ultrasound therapy
• Hot or cold therapy
• Oral or injectable steroids
• Regenerative medicine

The team at NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin specializes in using non-surgical options and taking a holistic approach to treating patients. They can discuss with you the most beneficial approach to treatment for your degenerative disc disease.

If your condition doesn’t improve using these approaches, the practice also has expertise in performing advanced surgical techniques.

If you’re experiencing any symptoms that could be due to degenerative disc disease, call NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin to get an accurate diagnosis today.