Degenerative Disc Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment At ASAP Pain Management

Degenerative disc (DDD), also known as degenerative spine disease, is a very common condition. It affects intervertebral spinal discs and can lead to stiffness, pain, and decreased mobility. DDD is not progressive as its name suggests. Instead, it is an inevitable part of growing older and can be caused by the wear and tear that occurs on the spine. We at ASAP Pain Management specialize in diagnosing & treating degenerative Disc Disease. We offer comprehensive treatment to help manage symptoms & improve patients’ quality of living. In this post, we’ll discuss the symptoms, causes and treatments for degenerative back disease. The article will focus on ASAP Pain Management.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disk disease occurs when intervertebral cushions, which cushion the vertebrae, lose their ability and begin to deteriorate. DDD has many causes, and while the exact cause isn’t always known, several factors may contribute to it.

  1. The Aging: As you age, your discs will lose elasticity and water content. They are more prone to damage.
  2. Genetics: Some people have a genetic predisposition toward degenerative disc disorder, increasing their chances of developing the condition sooner or with worse symptoms.
  3. Injuries or Trauma: Traumatic events like a sports injury, car accident, fall or other trauma can cause disc damage in the spine.
  4. Resistant Stress: Repetitive bending, lifting and twisting movements can be very stressful on the spine. They may also cause disc degeneration.

Symptoms Degenerative Disc Disease

Symptoms of degenerative disc disease vary in accordance with the disc degeneration’s location and degree of severity. Common symptoms of degenerative disk disease may include:

  1. Pain in Lower Back: This is a persistent or occasional pain in your lower back or neck. It may get worse with prolonged sitting or standing.
  2. Radical Pain: This is pain that radiates out to the buttocks/thighs/legs (if discs have been affected in the lumbar back) or arms and shoulders (if discs have been affected in the neck spine).
  3. The Stiffness: Having difficulty bending, turning, or moving your spine, especially first thing in the day or after periods spent inactive.
  4. Nerve Compression or Irritation: Feelings of numbness, weakness or tingling that can occur in the legs, arms, or feet.

Treatments at ASAP Pain Management

We at ASAP Pain Management offer a number of treatment options for patients to help them manage their symptoms of degenerative Disc Disease and improve their overall quality of Life. The comprehensive approach we take to care can include:

  1. Medication Control: NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, as well other medications that may be prescribed, can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
  2. Invasive Procedures: Minimally invasive procedures like epidural injections of steroids, facet joint injections or radiofrequency ablation are effective in reducing pain and inflammation.
  3. Regenerative Medicine: Innovative treatments such as platelet-rich Plasma and stem cell injections could help promote the healing, regeneration and repair of damaged disc tissue.
  4. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression: This therapy relieves pressure on the discs in the back and on the nerves. It helps reduce pain and increases mobility.
  5. Surgical Consulting: If you have severe or refractory symptomatology, our team is able to refer you to board certified spine surgeons who can perform a further evaluation of your condition and discuss surgical options with them, including spinal fusions or artificial discs.

Conclusion

Degenerative discs can be a difficult condition for patients to manage. With the right combination treatments and interventions they can get relief from their symptoms as well as improve their life quality. At ASAP Pain Management we provide compassionate and individualized care to people suffering from disc degeneration. This helps them regain mobility, function, and the ability to enjoy their favourite activities. It is critical to seek treatment immediately upon the onset of symptoms. Call ASAP Pain Management and schedule a consult with our expert providers today.