Degenerative Disc Disease

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back pain, and also one of the most misunderstood. Many patients diagnosed with low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease are left wondering exactly what this diagnosis means for them. Common questions that are often on patients’ minds include:

Degenerated Disc Surgery: Exploring Your Fusion and Pain Management Options

Ben Parr — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:39:56 -0700

Determining whether to undergo a fusion or other type of surgery for degenerative disc disease is a complex decision, and each person has their own personal threshold for when it is time to make that choice. The standard spinal fusion, as well as the newer artificial disc and other motion preservation surgery options, are all extensive surgeries and require fairly extensive recovery and rehabilitation.

Controlling Degenerative Disc Disease Pain: Three Things You Can Do

Ben Parr — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:53:23 -0700

Degenerative Disc Disease is a difficult condition to live with. However, it does not need to hinder the rest of your life. Here are three things you can do to control your Disc Degeneration.

1) Stay active to slow the disc degeneration

Once pain is adequately controlled (it will most likely not go away completely) the most important thing patients can do is stay active.

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment Options

Ben Parr — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:11:25 -0700

Degen. Disc Disease Info:

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment Options

Ben Parr — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:50:20 -0700

For most people, degenerative disc disease can be successfully treated with conservative (meaning non-surgical) care consisting of medication to control inflammation and pain (either oral or injection), and physical therapy and exercise. Surgery is only considered when patients have not achieved relief over six months of conservative care and/or are significantly constrained in performing everyday activities.

Degenerative Disc Disease - Multi-Specialty Case Review

spine-health — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 07:35:02 -0800

Sagittal MRI scan of the lumbosacral spine showing disc dehydration and bulging at L4-L5. There is a large spinal canal and no nerve root pinching. The disc space is otherwise well preserved with no loss of height and no Modic changes. The cartilaginous endplates are otherwise intact. The other disc spaces all appear normal. (See Figure 1.)

Deciding on Surgery for Degenerative Disc Disease

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:12 -0800

Everyone’s discs degenerate as we get older. Disc degeneration can also be seen as early as the late teens as a result of trauma, surgery, or just bad genetics. Most people with degenerative disc disease can manage their ongoing pain, as well as more painful flare episodes, with conservative (non-surgical) care.

The "Degenerative Cascade" of a Degenerating Disc

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

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Living with Degenerative Disc Disease

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

Low back pain self care

The vast majority of people with low back pain and/or sciatica symptoms from lumbar degenerative disc disease will be able to successfully manage their pain and avoid surgery.

Chronic Pain and Depression

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

The depression often caused by degenerative disc disease can often be effectively treated with medication, and there are several very effective antidepressants that can be useful. The newer antidepressants do not have as many unwanted side effects as many of the older antidepressants. Exercise that elevates the heart rate can also help relieve some symptoms of depression.

Common Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

Along with MRI scan results that show disc degeneration, there are some common symptoms that are fairly consistent for people with low back pain from degenerative disc disease.

Low Back Pain and Degenerative Disc Disease Treatments

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

Degen. Disc Disease Info:

Degenerative disc disease is frequently the cause of low back pain, especially in young adults.

Pain from Degenerative Disc Disease

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

Degen. Disc Disease Info:

Pain Medications

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

There are multiple medications that can help relieve low back pain associated with degenerative disc disease. Any medication, including many non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs, should be taken under a physician’s care, direction, and supervision. Many of the pain medications below should not be taken by people with certain health conditions (e.g., diabetics should not use oral steroids since the medication increases blood sugar levels). Patients should ask their physicians and pharmacists about potential side effects of any medication.

Degenerative Disc Disease: Spine Surgeon Viewpoint

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

Treatment of patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease is largely dependent on the length of time the patient has had symptoms and the amount of pain and disability. For the first three to six months, conservative treatment is usually recommended. For patients with severe pain, epidural injections can be used to try to decrease the inflammation in the area around the damaged disc.

Treating Chronic Low Back Pain from Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease - Patients' Advice

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

My family has been there for me through the pain

I am 22-yr female diagnosed with DDD over a year ago. After years of increasing pain in sports through high school (seeking aid from athletic trainers, chiropractors, physical therapists, etc), I finally had a doctor who had tests done and referred me to Mayo Clinic. Mayo, being so renowned, did nothing for me. I went to the Twin Cities Spine Center, where I had x-rays done. They sent me to St. Cloud to have a CTScan. They gave me two MRIs.
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Exercise and Physical Therapy

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

A regular routine of back exercises can prevent low back pain and/or reduce the severity and duration of any “flare-ups.” Controlled, gradual, progressive back pain exercises can help the back retain its strength and flexibility. Also, back movement promotes the delivery of nutrients to spine, keeping discs, muscles, ligaments, and joints healthier.

Degenerative Disc Disease: the Natural Degenerative Process

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

When we are born, the disc is comprised of about 80% water, which gives it its spongy quality and allows it to function as a shock absorber. As we age, the water content decreases and the disc becomes less capable of acting as a shock absorber (see Figure 1).

Pain Management Techniques for Degenerative Disc Disease

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:07 -0800

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Degenerative Disc Disease: Chiropractor Viewpoint

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:06 -0800

As a chiropractor, the first issue I would assess is to determine the position that creates the least amount of pain, or, the patient’s biased posture. After determining if they are biased (or improved) in flexion or extension, I would then base my chiropractic treatment around their biased posture.

Degenerative Disc Disease: Physiatrist Viewpoint

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:23:06 -0800

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Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:20 -0800

Degenerative disc disease refers to a syndrome in which a compromised disc causes low back pain. Lumbar degenerative disc disease usually starts with a torsional (twisting) injury to the lower back, such as when a person rotates to put something on a shelf or swing a golf club. However, the pain is also frequently caused by simple wear and tear on the spine.

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:19 -0800

Degen. Disc Disease Info: