Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative Disc Disease: Symptoms & Treatment Options
Our spinal discs, located between each vertebra, play an important role in having a healthy and flexible spine. Operating as shock absorbers, they facilitate the fluid, pain-free movement of our spine through a variety of daily activities. With their continuous and daily use, these discs can develop signs of wear and tear. Loss of disc height, flexibility, and lubrication are the results. Referred to as degenerative disc disease (or spondylosis), this condition can cause pain and numbness in the spine and limbs.
Although “disease” is in the name, degenerative disc disease is less of a disease and more of a gradual condition that develops naturally over time. In severe cases, degenerative disc disease can lead to debilitating symptoms that keep people from participating in life’s daily activities. This translates to lost time with family, inability to participate in one’s favorite pastimes, and missed days at work. In fact, it has been reported that there are over 100 billion dollars in economic losses each year that can be attributed to spine and disc problems.
Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is a common condition affecting millions of individuals in the U.S. every year. Some cases of degenerative disc disease appear as early as age 30. More typically, however, symptoms occur later in life and can depend on an individual’s lifestyle or activity.
Our team at The Advanced Spine Center of New Jersey has years of training and expertise in providing patients with thorough examinations, accurate diagnoses, and effective treatments for disc problems. Our collaborative team will work with you to assess your options and provide you with viable alternatives for relief and lifelong injury prevention. Contact the Advanced Spine Team today to schedule a consultation.
Possible Consequences of Degenerative Disc Disease
If left untreated, sustained inflammation, loss of shock absorption and support, and loss of height between the vertebrae can lead to increasingly more severe conditions that may require surgery or could permanently compromise the structural integrity of the spine. Some of these possible conditions include:
Bulging or Herniated discs: Discs can bulge and even herniate, or break open, when their structural integrity is compromised by degeneration. Furthermore, these damaged discs can press on nerves, intensifying pain and related symptoms.
Bone Spurs: When our discs degenerate and lose their height, it can lead to bone-on-bone contact and subsequent inflammation. Bone spurs are bony growths that develop on existing bone, often occurring at points of friction and inflammation. These bony protrusions are your body’s attempt to create stability and decrease inflammation from friction. Unfortunately, bone spurs can press on nerves and cause congestion in the spine.
Facet Joint Pain: When a degenerated disc loses its height, this phenomenon can lead to a reduction in the normal and necessary space between your vertebrae. This may cause the facet joints to rub against each other in an abnormal fashion, leading to increased friction, damage, and pain. Nerve compression can also occur, resulting in pinched nerves or local scarring.
Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolisthesis occurs when instability in the spine causes one vertebra to slide forward over the vertebra beneath it. Degenerative disc disease can cause the instability that leads to this slippage.
To avoid any of these more severe conditions, seek medical advice today regarding your degenerated disc. Our team at The Advanced Spine Center can assist you in the recovery process by providing an individualized approach to spine care. We collaborate directly with you to address your spinal pain and avoid future complications!