Degenerative Disc Disease

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As we age, changes in our physiology and “wear and tear” can affect our spine. Particularly vulnerable to age-related degeneration are the discs or little cushions that separate the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers. These discs act as spacers between the vertebra bones and help the bones of the spine deal with the pressures of walking, running, and movement. They accomplish this because they are filled with a jelly-like substance called nucleus pulposus in a very rugged disc-shaped casing (annulus pulposus).
 

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) refers to degenerative and age-related disc changes. Technically, DDD is a syndrome and not a true “disease.”

DDD contributes to disc damage, rupture (herniation), structural and shape changes. Disc are not able to self-repair.

• Dry out, stiffen: water loss reduces a disc's ability to absorb shock, stress
• Flatten, thin: affects the space between the vertebral bodies and nerve passageways
• Bulge outward, become misshapen
• Disc rupture can cause the nucleus pulposus to leak out

Video: Degenerative Disc Disease
Click below to view a video from our library about this condition.

Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease

The most common cause is aging. Even without direct damage,disc  stiffening and tissue wear can create sufficient stress to cause microscopic tears.

Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease may be challenging to diagnose at first because the symptoms may come on gradually and be dismissed at first, particularly in seniors who accept some “aches and pains” as a normal part of growing older.

• Mild to severe pain
• Dull achiness
• Localized pain
• Numbness, tingling, pins and needles sensations
• Weakness
• Symptoms may travel or radiate (radiculopathy)

Treatment

The doctor takes the patient's medical history and performs a physical and neurological evaluation.  Diagnostic tests include:

• CT or MRI scan
• Myelography
• Discography
   

Non-operative treatments include:

• Bed rest
• Activity restriction
• Medication for inflammation and pain
• Spinal injections
• Physical therapy
•  

Surgical procedures include:

• Minimally invasive interbody fusion
• Artificial disc replacement
• Discectomy
• Laminectomy

Most patients respond well to non-operative treatment.  Spine surgery may be recommended if non-surgical treatments fail to control pain and other symptoms.