If you’re experiencing chronic back or neck pain, you may have heard the term “degenerative disc disease.” While the name sounds alarming, understanding this common condition and the available treatment options can help you find relief and improve your quality of life. At Legent Spine in Dallas-Fort Worth, our board-certified spine surgeons specialize in both nonsurgical and surgical treatments for degenerative disc disease.
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition that occurs when the cushioning discs between your vertebrae begin to wear down. Despite its name, degenerative disc disease isn’t actually a disease—it’s a natural part of the aging process that affects the spine.
Understanding Spinal Discs
Your spinal discs are rubbery, shock-absorbing cushions located between each vertebra in your spine. Each disc has a gel-like center surrounded by a tougher outer layer. These discs serve several important functions:
- Absorbing shock and impact during movement
- Allowing flexibility in your spine
- Enabling you to bend, twist, and move comfortably
- Maintaining proper spacing between vertebrae
Why DDD Isn’t Really a Disease
As we age, our spinal discs naturally lose water content and become less flexible. This is a normal part of aging that happens to almost everyone after age 40. The condition is called “degenerative disc disease” when this natural wear and tear begins causing symptoms like pain, stiffness, or limited mobility.
Common Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease
Not everyone with disc degeneration experiences symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they can significantly impact daily life. Common symptoms include:
- Persistent back or neck pain: Pain that comes and goes, lasting weeks or months at a time
- Pain that radiates: Discomfort that spreads to the buttocks, thighs, or down the legs (if lower back is affected) or into the shoulders and arms (if neck is affected)
- Pain that worsens with certain activities: Sitting, bending, lifting, or twisting often make the pain worse
- Pain relief when lying down: Many people find that lying down reduces pressure on the spine and provides relief
- Numbness or tingling: If a degenerated disc presses on nearby nerves, you may experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs
- Sharp, shooting pain: Sudden intense pain triggered by specific movements
The severity of symptoms can range from mild to severe and may fluctuate over time. Some days may be better than others, and certain activities or positions may trigger flare-ups.
What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?
The primary cause of degenerative disc disease is the natural aging process. As we get older, several changes occur in our spinal discs:
- Loss of water content: Discs gradually dry out with age, causing them to become thinner and less effective as shock absorbers.
- Tiny tears and cracks: Daily activities and minor injuries can cause small tears in the outer layer of the disc. These tears may not heal properly as we age, leading to disc degeneration.
- Breakdown of disc structure: The proteins and other materials that make up the disc can break down over time, weakening the disc’s structure.
Risk Factors for Disc Degeneration
While aging is the primary factor, certain risk factors can accelerate disc degeneration or increase the likelihood of developing symptoms:
- Age: Most common in people over 40
- Genetics: A family history of spine problems may increase your risk
- Obesity: Excess weight puts additional stress on spinal discs
- Smoking: Reduces oxygen supply to discs, accelerating degeneration
- Injury or trauma: Previous back injuries can lead to earlier disc degeneration
- Physically demanding work: Jobs involving heavy lifting, bending, or repetitive movements
- Gender: Women are more likely to experience symptomatic disc degeneration
How Is Degenerative Disc Disease Diagnosed?
If you’re experiencing back or neck pain, a spine specialist will conduct a thorough evaluation to diagnose degenerative disc disease. The diagnostic process typically includes:
- Medical history review: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, when they started, what makes them better or worse, and any previous injuries.
- Physical examination: A comprehensive physical exam to assess your range of motion, pain levels, muscle strength, and nerve function.
- Imaging tests: X-rays can show disc space narrowing and bone spurs. MRI scans provide detailed images of soft tissues, including discs and nerves. CT scans may be used for additional detail.
- Neurological tests: Reflex tests and sensory assessments to check for nerve compression or damage.
Nonsurgical Treatment Options
The good news is that most people with degenerative disc disease can find relief through nonsurgical treatments. Your spine specialist will typically recommend starting with conservative approaches before considering surgery.
Medications for Pain Management
Several types of medications can help manage pain and inflammation:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter options like ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce pain and inflammation.
- Acetaminophen: Helps relieve pain without reducing inflammation.
- Muscle relaxants: May be prescribed for muscle spasms associated with disc degeneration.
- Prescription pain medications: For severe pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter options.
Physical Therapy and Exercise
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of degenerative disc disease treatment. A physical therapist can design a personalized program that includes:
- Core strengthening exercises to support your spine
- Flexibility and stretching exercises to improve range of motion
- Posture training to reduce stress on your discs
- Low-impact aerobic activities like walking or swimming
- Manual therapy techniques to relieve pain
Strengthening the muscles that support your spine—including your back, abdomen, and core—can significantly reduce pain and prevent further degeneration.
Lifestyle Modifications
Making certain lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms and slow progression:
- Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on your spine.
- Hot and cold therapy: Alternating heat and ice packs can provide temporary pain relief.
- Ergonomic adjustments: Improving your workspace and daily habits to reduce spine stress.
- Activity modification: Avoiding activities that worsen pain, such as heavy lifting or prolonged sitting.
- Smoking cessation: Quitting smoking improves disc health and overall healing.
Additional treatments like steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, or acupuncture may also be recommended based on your individual needs.
When Surgery May Be Necessary
While most people find relief through nonsurgical treatments, surgery may be recommended when:
- Conservative treatments have been tried for several months without adequate relief
- Pain is severe and significantly impacts daily activities
- There is progressive weakness or neurological symptoms
- Quality of life is severely diminished
Surgical Options for Degenerative Disc Disease
At Legent Spine, we offer several surgical options, with a focus on minimally invasive techniques whenever possible:
- Spinal fusion: Connects two or more vertebrae to eliminate painful motion. This is one of the most common procedures for degenerative disc disease.
- Artificial disc replacement: Replaces the damaged disc with an artificial one, maintaining motion in the spine.
- Discectomy: Removes the damaged portion of a disc that’s pressing on a nerve.
- Laminectomy: Removes part of the vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
- Minimally invasive spine surgery: Uses smaller incisions, specialized instruments, and advanced imaging for faster recovery and less tissue damage.
Your spine surgeon will discuss which option is best for your specific condition, taking into account the location and severity of disc degeneration, your overall health, and your treatment goals.
Living with Degenerative Disc Disease
Managing degenerative disc disease is often a long-term process. Here are strategies to help you live well with this condition:
- Stay active: Regular low-impact exercise keeps your spine strong and flexible.
- Practice good posture: Proper posture reduces stress on your discs.
- Use proper lifting techniques: Bend at the knees, not the waist, and keep objects close to your body.
- Take breaks from sitting: Stand up and move around every 30 minutes if you have a desk job.
- Manage stress: Stress can increase muscle tension and worsen pain.
- Follow your treatment plan: Consistency with exercises and medications is key to long-term success.
Activities to Avoid
Certain activities can worsen disc degeneration or trigger pain flare-ups:
- High-impact sports like running on hard surfaces or contact sports
- Heavy lifting or repetitive bending
- Prolonged sitting without breaks
- Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Exercises that involve twisting or jarring movements
Finding Expert Care in Dallas-Fort Worth
If you’re struggling with degenerative disc disease, expert care is available right here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. At Legent Spine, our board-certified spine surgeons specialize in the latest treatments for disc degeneration, from conservative management to advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques.
We understand that every patient’s condition is unique, which is why we take a personalized approach to treatment. Whether you’re just beginning to experience symptoms or you’ve been living with chronic pain for years, we can help you find relief and get back to the activities you love.
Our comprehensive services include:
- Thorough diagnostic evaluation
- Personalized treatment planning
- Nonsurgical pain management options
- Advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques
- Post-treatment rehabilitation support
Don’t let degenerative disc disease control your life. Contact Legent Spine today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced spine specialists and take the first step toward lasting relief.