What are the treatment options for degenerative disc disease?
The lumbar vertebrae and disks are at the bottom of your spine. Lumbar disk replacement involves replacing a worn or degenerated disk in the lower part of your spine with an artificial disk made of metal or a combination of metal and plastic. Lumbar disk replacement is generally seen as an alternative to the more common spinal fusion surgery. Fusion permanently joins 2 …
What are the treatment options for lumbar spinal stenosis?
However, if the collapsed disc is no longer offering the proper spacing between the surrounding vertebrae, we may recommend a minimally invasive discectomy and stabilization, which includes the replacement of the collapsed disc with an artificial disc to stabilize the spine and decompress the pinched nerve.
What is a bulging disc and how is it treated?
Commonly prescribed conservative treatments include: Anti-inflammatory medications Epidural steroid injections Physical therapy Exercise Lifestyle changes, including losing weight and quitting smoking
What is the treatment for a herniated disc?
The removed disc may be replaced by a synthetic disc that can restore shock absorption and improve mobility between vertebrae. In more severe cases, spinal-fusion surgery, which involves removing the disc and fusing the nearby vertebrae to increase stability in …
What happens if you are missing a spinal disc?
Is disc replacement surgery successful?
Can discs be replaced in the spine?
How long is recovery for disc replacement surgery?
What is the procedure to remove a damaged disc?
Our most common surgery for this condition is a minimally invasive discectomy, which removes a portion of the damaged disc that is extended into the spinal canal and pinching a nerve root. However, if the collapsed disc is no longer offering the proper spacing between the surrounding vertebrae, we may recommend a minimally invasive discectomy ...
What is the best treatment for spine pain?
Many patients gain relief from these symptoms with conservative treatments like pain medications ( over-the-counter or prescription), anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, heat massage and chiropractic care. However, some patients require more advanced treatment for spine pain.
What causes a disc to collapse?
A collapsed disc is actually a common term for spine conditions that affect the discs and cause them to become misshapen and to lose height. When the inner fluid presses against the wall and the wall can no longer push back, the disc will begin to flatten and expand, thus causing the shape and height to be lost.
Why does a disc shrink?
A collapsed disc shrinks or deteriorates due to constant compression of the surrounding vertebrae. This is often the result of a degenerative spine, which is the natural deterioration process of the spine over time or due to a massive herniation, protrusion or extrusion. When this happens, the disc can no longer function as the stabilizer for ...
Why does the spine degenerate with age?
As the spine naturally degenerates with age, daily activities will cause repeated pressure to be placed on the discs. Think of the outer layer of the disc as a rubber band; the first few times the inner disc material pushes on the outer wall, the elasticity in the wall moves the inner fluid back into place.
What are the two main components of a disc?
Discs in the spine are natural shock absorbers that rest between the bony vertebrae. Discs have two main components, a tough outer layer and a soft gel-like center . When pressure occurs along the spinal column and pushes down on the disc, the inner fluid of the disc presses against the tough outer layer. When this happens, the tough outer layer of ...
How to prevent herniated discs?
Eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet. Following these recommendations can help reduce the wear placed on the spine, delaying or preventing the degenerative changes that may cause herniated discs, bulging discs, disc thinning and degenerative disc disease.
What is the best treatment for degenerative disc disease?
Typical pain medications used to treat the low back pain include acetaminophen, NSAIDs, oral steroids, narcotic drugs, and muscle relaxants. Each type of medication has strengths, limitations, and risks, and the patient's particular low back problem ...
How to help lower back pain from degenerative disc disease?
For those people, the main goals for managing lower back pain caused by degenerative disc disease are usually: Achieving enough pain relief to be able to engage in lower back pain exercises and a rehabilitation program. Preventing the application of excess stress on the disc through proper ergonomics and posture.
How to heal disc disease?
For the vast majority of patients, the only way to achieve long-term healing is active exercise, which usually includes a combination of strengthening, stretching and low-impact aerobic exercise. Quitting smoking.
How does massage help with lower back pain?
Therapeutic low back massage is thought to provide low back pain relief by improving blood flow, reducing muscle stiffness, increasing range of motion, and raising endorphin levels in the body. See Massage Therapy for Lower Back Pain.
How does an epidural help with back pain?
An epidural injection into the spine delivers steroids that can provide low back pain relief by decreasing inflammation in the painful area. TENS units. These devices deliver mild electrical stimulation that overrides the painful signals sent to the lower back.
What is the best treatment for low back pain?
In addition, heat and/or ice therapy, acupuncture, behavioral therapy, and other therapies often provide enough low back pain relief to allow the patient to progress with his or her exercise and rehabilitation program. advertisement.
Is degenerative disc disease passive or active?
The treatments for degenerative disc disease are either passive (done to the patient) or active (done by the patient). Usually, a combination of treatments is used to help control the symptoms. Passive treatments are rarely effective on their own—some active component, such as exercise, is almost always required.
What is the pain of a spinal disc?
This pain is a warning signal that you should heed. If you take appropriate action, the discomfort usually stops, and the problem can be corrected. Spinal disks are rubbery pads between the vertebrae, the specialized bones that make up the spinal column. Doctors call them intervertebral disks.
Where do disk injuries occur?
The vast majority of disk injuries occur in the lumbar region of the lower back. Only 10% of these injuries affect the upper spine. Not all herniated disks press on nerves, however, and it is entirely possible to have deformed disks without any pain or discomfort.
What happens if you tear a disk?
If further activity or injury causes the membrane to rupture or tear, the disk material may further extrude, causing pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves that radiate from it . This may result in extreme pain. In the beginning, there may be spasms in the back or neck which will greatly limit your movement.
Why is disk degeneration so serious?
But disk degeneration is far more serious in some people than in others. Poor muscle tone, poor posture, and obesity also put excessive strain on the spine and the ligaments that hold the disks in place.
What is the name of the disk that is flat and has a fibrous outer membrane?
Doctors call them intervertebral disks. Each disk is a flat, circular capsule about an inch in diameter and one-quarter inch thick. They have a tough, fibrous, outer membrane (the annulus fibrosus), and an elastic core (the nucleus pulposus).
What happens to the disks in children?
By early adulthood, the blood supply to the disk has stopped, the soft inner material has begun to harden, and the disk is less elastic.
Can a tennis volley damage a disk?
Although a violent injury can damage a disk, problems with disks are often brought on by the normal aging process or by everyday activities, such as lifting heavy objects the wrong way, stretching too hard during a tennis volley, or slipping and falling on an icy sidewalk.
Is there a non surgical treatment for a bulging disc?
Non-Surgical Treatment Options. Alternative Treatments for a Bulging Disc. Although no single treatment plan is right for every patient, there are some bulging disc treatment guidelines that are often effective in relieving symptoms. While a bulging disc is not necessarily painful, nerve compression can result if displaced disc material causes ...
Can a bulging disc cause neck pain?
Upon diagnosing a bulging disc as the source of neck pain, back pain or radiating pain in the extremities, doctors will usually begin with a course of conservative treatments. Since a bulging disc can improve with time, initial treatment is generally aimed at pain management while the progress of the condition is monitored.
Can a bulging disc be treated?
For many patients, these options are enough to help control bulging disc symptoms. Most doctors view surgery to treat a bulging disc as a last resort because it is such an invasive process, requiring a large muscle-tearing incision, overnight hospitalization and a long recovery period.
How to diagnose a degenerated disc?
In order to diagnose a degenerated disc, a physician takes a medical history, and performs a comprehensive physical examination that includes checking for numbness or weakness, and testing reflexes to determine whether any muscles have atrophied. Several imaging examinations may also be administered; they include X-rays, to assess spine alignment; MRI scans, to observe any compression of the spinal cord; and CT scans, to evaluate the size of the spinal canal and visualize bone spurs. A myelogram, which uses contrast dye for improved visualization during X-rays or CT scans, may also be administered.
What causes disc degeneration?
Although discs degenerate to a degree from normal aging, there are risk factors that increase the likelihood of symptomatic disc degeneration. They include the following: 1 Repeated heavy lifting 2 Obesity 3 Smoking 4 Bone spurs
Why do discs cause back pain?
Because the discs function as between-the-bones shock absorbers, allowing the spine to bend and twist, this deterioration can result in serious back pain. As discs are damaged or wear away, the amount of space between the vertebrae gets smaller. As the space narrows, joints are placed under greater stress, resulting in further degeneration.
What are the symptoms of degenerated discs?
Compression of the spinal nerves can cause symptoms that include tingling/numbness, muscle weakness, loss of balance/ coordination, and pain and stiffness. Back pain is often worse when sitting, lifting, bending or twisting, and walking or lying down typically helps alleviate the pain.
Where do degenerated discs occur?
Complications Of Degenerated Discs. Although a disc can degenerate anywhere along the 26 vertebrae of the spine, it happens most frequently in the lumbar region (lower back) or the cervical region (neck).
Can a spinal fusion be performed?
In more severe cases, spinal-fusion surgery, which involves removing the disc and fusing the nearby vertebrae to increase stability in the spine, may be performed.
Can you use intradiscal electrothermal therapy for back pain?
Intradiscal electrothermal therapy is often successful in decreasing damage and pain. If a patient’s back pain does not respond to these conservative treatments, surgical intervention may be required. If a disc has become herniated and is pressing on a nerve, a discectomy may be recommended to remove the disc entirely.
How to help degenerative disc disease?
If you have degenerative disc disease, you aren’t alone, and there are ways to help ease your condition through exercise . Start slowly with these exercises and only do what is comfortable for you. Listen to your body and stop if you feel pain.
What is the purpose of degenerative disc exercises?
The purpose of these exercises is to manage the discomfort often associated with degenerative disc disease. They mostly target the lower back, hip, and upper leg, aiming to reduce pressure on your vertebrae.
Why do my spines rub against each other?
Over time the day-to-day wear and tear can cause spinal discs to lose their original shape, like a tire gradually deflating. As their cushioning flattens, your vertebrae may rub directly against each other painfully. This wear and tear of the spine is the basis of degenerative disc disease.
How to stretch your back and torso?
Step 2: With your palms planted against the ground, begin raising your neck and torso higher until you feel the stretch in your lower back and abdominal muscles. Step 3: Hold this position for at least 30 seconds and relax. Repeat this low-intensity stretch as needed throughout the day. Knee to Chest Stretch.
How to get rid of tense muscles in back?
This is an all-purpose back exercise that will help you relieve tense muscles and reduce pain over time. Step 1: Lie down on your stomach with your torso raised up and arms extended outward.
How do spinal discs work?
Spinal discs work like shock absorbers in your back, absorbing the impact from your daily activity. They can wear out as you get older, which in some people causes only mild discomfort, but seriously degrades the quality of life for others. Although spinal discs have a tough exterior, their insides are soft and malleable, mostly made of water.
How to get rid of a swollen hip?
Step 1: Start on your hands and knees, hands below the shoulders and knees below the hips. Step 2: Now gently arch your back by lowering your neck down toward your chest as far as comfortable. Hold for 30 seconds.
What is the role of the spinal disc in the spine?
The spinal disc acts as a strong elastic pivot for each joint segment of the spine, providing stability and allowing a relatively wide range of motion in all directions in the lower back and neck.
Why are spinal discs prone to injury?
The discs are somewhat pliant, providing shock absorption for the spine. Because of the many stresses sustained by the lower back and neck, and changes due to aging, the disc is prone to injury.
What is it called when a disc is leaking?
This can happen if the inner material of the disc, the soft nucleus, leaks out of the disc (or “herniates ”) and touches the nerve root. The material within the disc is highly inflammatory, ...
Why do my discs shrink?
This condition can occur as part of the aging process in which the discs in the spine start to dry out, thereby losing some of their flexibility and shock absorption. As part of this process, the inner portion of the disc shrinks, providing less cushioning between the boney vertebrae in the spine, and the outer part of the disc can suffer small ...
Can a disc cause neck pain?
In the neck, a problem with a disc can lead to pain and symptoms in the neck, shoulder, arm and possibly into the hand. See Cervical Discs. Spinal disc problems are widely misunderstood for a number of reasons: medical professionals do not always agree on causes of pain related to the spinal disc, and patients understandably have ...
How to heal a bulging disc?
The most important thing is to give the bulging disc the opportunity to heal by: Changing the movements and habits that put unhealthy loads through the disc. Building strength in the appropriate muscles to give the disc the support it needs. Written by Dr. Jeremy James.
Why do discs help with pain?
One purpose of the discs is to distribute pressures evenly as we go through activities of daily living so that the surrounding joints and other structures are not damaged. When this process malfunctions, problems and pain can occur.
How long does it take for a bulging disc to heal?
With proper exercise and healthy spine habits, a bulging disc rarely requires surgery. In fact, it can typically be treated at home and can usually heal on its own within 6 to 12 months. The most important thing is to give the bulging disc the opportunity to heal by: 1 Changing the movements and habits that put unhealthy loads through the disc. 2 Building strength in the appropriate muscles to give the disc the support it needs.
How to tell if a disc is bulging?
A bulging disc can be diagnosed by a thorough evaluation by a health care professional and also by imaging such as an MRI. Symptom patterns common to bulging discs include pain with forward bending, pain with coughing, sneezing or bowel movements, and pain with prolonged sitting. The pain can occur in the back, ...
What causes a disc to be uneven?
The weight that is usually distributed evenly through the disc by daily activities (walking, sitting, and bending over) is now distributed in an uneven pattern, putting unhealthy pressure on the affected disc and the surrounding discs, joints, and ligaments. Eventually this pressure causes problems which can result in pain.
What happens when the pressure gets too great in one part of the disc?
When the pressure gets too great in one part of the disc, the inner liquid can push into the outer layer causing a “bulge” to form— this is referred to as a bulging disc. When pressure and the bulge become extreme, the outer layer tears and the inner liquid spills out, resulting in a disc herniation —a herniated disc is a potentially much more ...
Why does my disc hurt?
Pain and/or dysfunction can be caused in four general ways: If the other structures around the disc become overloaded because the damaged disc in unable to absorb shocks, they wear down and become inflamed, resulting in arthritis .
Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment Goals
Example Progression of Treatment Regimens For Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
- Treatments need to be individualized. However, as a general rule, lumbar degenerative disc disease treatmentsstart with basic pain control and non-invasive treatments and progress, if needed, to more extensive and/or invasive treatments. One example of how treatment approaches may progress over time would be: 1. Bed rest, or reduced activity, for the first 1 to 2 days after o…
Active and Passive Treatment Options
- The treatments for degenerative disc disease generally fall into two categories: 1. Active treatments, which are performed by the patient 2. Passive treatments, which are done to the patient Passive treatments, such as pain medications or injections, are rarely effective on their own—an active component, such as a controlled, progressive exercise p...
Team Approach to Pain Management
- For some, an integrated team of specialists may be best suited to manage the chronic lower back pain from degenerative disc disease. A team will usually comprise some combination of the following health professionals: 1. A pain management specialist, such as a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician (physiatrist) or anesthesiologist focused on pain management 2. A phys…