About
Degenerative disc disease(DDD) is when normal changes take place in the disks of your spine causing pain. DDD is not actually a disease but actually an ailment in your spine where those changes cause spinal disks. Spinal disks act as shock absorbers between the bones, and vertebrae of your spine. They are intended to help your back stay flexible so you can twist and bend. When we get older, they demonstrate wear and tear and may not work as good.
Degenerative disc disease commonly develops by natural wear and tear from repeated bending, twisting, and natural aging. Other causes included trauma, genetics, heavy lifting, obesity, and various spinal conditions. Going untreated may cause severe spine damage. Staying active, strengthening core and spine, focusing on a healthy weight can help patients reduce their risk of developing DDD.
Symptoms
Symptoms can often time start out as insignificant but gradually get worse over time. Most patients feel a sharp or constant pain in their neck or back. In some cases, DDD can lead to tingling, weakness, and numbness in your arms and legs. If your leg muscles become weak this is often times coming from affected nerves near your spine.
Treatment
Treatments for DDD usually depend on the patients’ severity and duration of their symptoms. Most early-stage treatments include pain medication, over-the-counter- medications, cold and hot therapy, and physical therapy. Desert Pain Specialists may also recommend interventional therapies if symptoms persist. The treatments include epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, or spinal cord stimulation.