What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
The spinal structure consists of vertebral bones separated by discs to act as shock absorbers and prevent bone-to-bone contact. When the discs in the spine begin to deteriorate, the complex structure of the spine is weakened and other joints or nerves may be affected. Your doctor at South Florida Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine will provide both conservative and surgical treatment options to help treat degenerative disc disease.
A majority of patients experience significant pain relief following the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
The disc in the spine consists of an outer wall of tissue that acts as a shock absorber and a jelly-like center, or nucleus, which allows for the twisting and bending of the spine. Over time, the outer cartilage in the disc may begin to tear or weaken, resulting in a collapse of the disc and the two vertebrae would be functioning without a cushion to prevent bone-to-bone rubbing. Without a stable disc, the spine becomes misaligned and, if left untreated, may result in deformities in the surrounding joints. Other potential spinal conditions include spinal stenosis, herniated disc, or bone overgrowth between joints.
Due to the variety of conditions that are caused by degenerative disc disease, the symptoms can be different depending on the patient’s medical history. Symptoms of degenerative disc disease include:
- Numbness of the limbs
- Osteoarthritis
- Lower back pain
- Pain when twisting or bending
- Tingling sensation in the arms or legs
- Difficulty sitting down
What Are Treatment Options for Degenerative Disc Disease?
- Herniated Disc – Vertebral discs are comprised of a strong outer layer and a jelly-like center to act as a shock absorber between vertebrae. When the outer layer begins to deteriorate, the center will be pushed out of this disc and place pressure on the surrounding nerve roots.
- Lumbar Fusion – When degenerative disc disease completely erodes the disc, bone-to-bone rubbing can occur. To prevent further damage, the two vertebrae will be fused together to stabilize the spine.
- Spinal Stenosis – This condition occurs when the area around the nerve root narrows and pressure is placed on the spinal cord. The pressure may be caused by a herniated disc.
- Cervical Fusion – When the disc separating the vertebrae in the neck becomes severely damaged, the disc will be removed. The two vertebrae are then fused together to create one stable bone.
- Discectomy/Microdiscectomy – These minimally invasive treatment options will access the damaged disc and remove any protruding tissue. In some cases, a bone graft or transplanted bone tissue will be used to help the disc heal.
How to know if you have Degenerative Disc Disease
Unsure if your back and neck pain is caused by degenerative disc disease? Call us. Our spine specialists at South Florida Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine can help.
For appointment requests, please call our office at (772) 288-2400 or schedule an appointment here.