Degenerative disc disease symptoms & treatment

Degenerative disc disease happens when the rubbery cushions (discs) between your vertebrae (spine bones) wear down. The discs serve as shock absorbers to help you move, twist and bend comfortably. When the discs begin to wear away, your bones can start to rub together. This can lead to neck pain or lower back pain.

Our Advocate Spine Care Center experts are dedicated to conservative care and begin with a nonsurgical approach to treatment for degenerative disc disease. This is the first step toward managing pain and determining if your condition can be treated without surgery. If conservative care doesn’t provide relief over time, we may recommend a surgical approach such as spinal fusion or disc replacement.

Degenerative disc disease symptoms

Moderate cases of degenerative disc disease usually begin with neck or lower back pain. The pain may:

• Come and go, lasting for weeks or months at a time
• Lead to weakness, tingling or numbness in your arms and legs
• Travel down your lower back, buttocks and legs
• Worsen with bending, sitting or lifting

Risk factors for degenerative disc disease

Certain factors can increase your risk for developing degenerative disc disease:

• Age: Disc degeneration is a natural part of aging, and over time everyone will have some long-term changes in their discs.
• Back injuries: Injuring your back can make you more prone to degenerative disc disease at a younger age.
• Physical activity: Long-term participation in strenuous sports or jobs involving physical labor such as heavy lifting and twisting can speed up disc degeneration.
• Obesity: Carrying excess weight for many years can strain your spine and cause degenerative disc disease sooner than the average.

Conditions related to degenerative disc disease

When the spinal discs begin to deteriorate, the vertebrae can begin rubbing together. This bone-to-bone contact can also cause these related problems:

• Adult scoliosis: This condition happens when your spine curves from side to side, forming an unnatural shape like the letter S or C.
• Herniated disc: A disc gets herniated when it bulges out of place or squishes out through a tear in its outer layer. The herniated disc can then press against the nerves in your spine, causing pain.
• Spinal stenosis: This condition happens when the open space around your spine begins to narrow, putting pressure on your spinal cord or spinal nerves.
• Spondylolisthesis: This condition is caused when one of the bones in your back moves or slips out of alignment, putting pressure on a nerve.

How to prevent disc degeneration

Degenerative disc disease develops slowly over time, but there are things you can do to help lower your risk:

• Get regular exercise with a specific focus on strengthening your core muscles to support your back and abdomen.
• Use proper technique when lifting to reduce pressure on your back.
• Try not to gain excess weight or try to lose weight.
• Limit your use of alcohol.
• Do not smoke. Smoking increases the rate of disc degeneration.
• Ask your doctor about supplements such as calcium and iron, which can help you maintain healthy bones.

Diagnosis & treatment of degenerative disc disease

Your doctor will examine your spine, looking for any signs of pain, discomfort or abnormalities. Next, they may need to order imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI to evaluate the condition of your spinal discs and the degree of spinal degeneration. The results will help determine the type of degenerative disc disease treatment you’ll need.

Nonsurgical treatment for degenerative disc disease

If you have degenerative disc disease, your doctor will first recommend nonsurgical treatments to relieve your chronic neck or low back pain such as:

• Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or prescription pain relievers, muscle relaxants and corticosteroids
• Weight loss
• Applying ice to your neck or lower back to reduce inflammation
• Warming affected areas with a heating pad or warm bath to soothe muscle tension
• Physical therapy and stretching exercises to build muscle strength and flexibility

Surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease pain

If other degenerative disc disease treatments don’t ease your pain, you may need surgery. Your doctor may recommend:

• Spinal fusion: Spinal fusion is one of the most common surgeries for stabilizing the spine. The surgeon fuses two vertebrae together using a bone graft, screws and rods.
• Artificial disc replacement: During a disc replacement procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an implant that is a similar shape, texture and size as a natural disc.

Our expert neurosurgeons work closely with your team of multidisciplinary specialists to devise a personalized care plan for your situation. Learn more about our approach to spine treatment and surgery.