Degenerative Disc Disease - Surgery Should NOT Be the First Option

spinal stenosis

Spondylosis, or degenerative disc disease causes confusion for both physicians and the layman. Even if this is a normal course of old age, there are younger people that suffer from it as well. Since it's not infectious, technically, it's not a disease but a condition. It can come from genetics or from an accident and there's not always pain involved.

The main "hinge" of the spine is called the lumbar disc. This is gives us the ability to move in different directions, strength to stand, and soak up everyday shocks from such mundane things as walking. When new, the discs are completely saturated with liquid, which unfortunately dries out naturally as we age and gives us more limited mobility. Pain in degenerative disc disease is actually caused more often in younger people because the disc has not dried out but has suffered tears to its tough skin and allowed the liquid inside to reach out and affect the nerves in the nearby lower back. The inflammation brings a constriction in the surrounding blood vessels, lowering the amount of nutrition and oxygen available to the disc that blocks its healing.

A doctor's visit should be foremost on the agenda in a physical and a MRI to determine the severity of the degenerative disc disease. In case of severe pain, the doctor will be able to tell you a few of the causes - pain worsens with prolonged sitting, unnatural positions (to lift heavy weights, twisting to get things, or bending with straight knees), or lying down, walking or even running will ease the pain. This is all because the movements rest and exercise take away pressure from the lumbar area.

If left alone, there may be tingling or numbness in the lower back or upper legs caused by the pain. On the bright side, if no weakness is felt in the muscles of the legs, there may no nerve damage involved.

Non-invasive treatments are preferable since the symptoms respond well to them. Similar to bulging disc treatments, surgery is the last choice. The treatments for degenerative disc disease are pro-active and run the approximately 90 days. The patient is required to rest on a support mattress and do non-strenuous exercises like walking or swimming for 30 minutes every day. By maintaining the correct posture and using hot and cold compresses to keep the pain at bay. In conjunction with physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatments, or acupuncture, the condition can be managed. Medications like muscle relaxants and pain relievers are prescribed as needed.

Conservative measures are usually enough to manage degenerative disc disease. Surgery is now only used in extreme cases such as scoliosis or nerve damage. While this can be painful at times, degenerative disc disease is something we can learn to live with when we control the symptoms with a healthy lifestyle and regular mild exercise.