Degeneration of the intervertebral disc, often called “degenerative disc disease” (DDD) of the spine, is a condition that can be painful and can greatly affect the quality of one’s life. While disc degeneration is a normal part of aging and for most people is not a problem, for certain individuals a degenerated disc can cause severe constant chronic pain.
Symptoms
With symptomatic degenerative disc disease, chronic low back pain sometimes radiates to the hips, or there is pain in the buttocks or thighs while walking; sporadic tingling or weakness through the knees may also be evident. Similar pain may be felt or may increase while sitting, bending, lifting, and twisting. Chronic neck pain can also be caused in the upper spine, with pain radiating to the shoulders, arms and hands.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Often, degenerative disc disease can be successfully treated without surgery. One or a combination of treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT) and other chiropractic treatments, osteopathic manipulation, anti-inflammatory medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, traction, or spinal injections often provide adequate relief of these troubling symptoms.
Painful Conditions, Symptoms and Treatments
- Sciatica
- Spinal Stenosis
- Discogenic Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Arthritis Pain
- Herniated Discs
- SI Joint Dysfunction
- Headaches
- Myofacial Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- RSD/ Complex Regional Pain
- Failed Back Syndrome
- Spinal Compression Fracture
- Muscle Spasms
- Degenerative Disk Disease
- Bulging/Ruptured/Herniated Disk
- Radiculopathy/Nerve Impingement
- Stress Fracture