What is Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is a condition caused by the changes that occur in spinal disks as you grow older. Spinal disks are soft and compressible disks located between the bones of your spine (vertebrae). These disks act like shock absorbers.
Degenerative disc disease can affect the whole spine. However, the neck and lower back are most commonly affected. Many changes can occur in the spinal disks with aging, such as:
- The spinal disks may dry and shrink.
- Small tears may occur in the tough, outer covering of the disk (annulus).
- The disk space may become smaller due to loss of water.
- Abnormal growths in the bone (spurs) may occur. This can put pressure on the nerve roots exiting the spinal canal, causing pain.
- The spinal canal may become narrowed.
What increases the risk?
- Being overweight.
- Having a family history of degenerative disk disease.
- Smoking.
- There is increased risk if you are doing heavy lifting or have a sudden injury.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms vary from person to person and may include:
- Pain
that varies in intensity. Some people have no pain, while others have
severe pain. The location of the pain depends on the part of your backbone
that is affected.
- You will have neck or arm pain if a disk in the neck area is affected.
- You will have pain in your back, buttocks, or legs if a disk in the lower back is affected.
- Pain that becomes worse while bending, reaching up, or with twisting movements.
- Pain that may start gradually and then get worse as time passes. It may also start after a major or minor injury.
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs.
How is this diagnosed?
Your health care provider will ask you about your symptoms and about activities or habits that may cause the pain. He or she may also ask about any injuries, diseases, or treatments you have had.
Your health care provider will examine you to check for the range of movement that is possible in the affected area, to check for strength in your extremities, and to check for sensation in the areas of the arms and legs supplied by different nerve roots. You may also have:
- An X-ray of the spine.
- Other imaging tests, such as MRI.
How is this treated?
Your health care provider will advise you on the best plan for treatment. Treatment may include:
- Medicines.
- Rehabilitation exercises.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Follow proper lifting and walking techniques as advised by your health care provider.
- Maintain good posture.
- Exercise regularly as advised by your health care provider.
- Perform relaxation exercises.
- Change your sitting, standing, and sleeping habits as advised by your health care provider.
- Change positions frequently.
- Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight as advised by your health care provider.
- Do notuse any tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or electronic cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- Wear supportive footwear.
- Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your pain does not go away within 1–4 weeks.
- You have significant appetite or weight loss.
Get help right away if:
- Your pain is severe.
- You notice weakness in your arms, hands, or legs.
- You begin to lose control of your bladder or bowel movements.
- You have fevers or night sweats.
