where to get treatment for degenerative disc disease near me

by Dr. Jena Reynolds II Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What is the best treatment for degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment: Why Choose Johns Hopkins. Our orthopaedic spine specialists use high-precision diagnostic techniques that allow them to identify the location and degree of disc degeneration with high accuracy. Cervical, lumbar and thoracic degenerative disc disease, as well as bulging and herniated discs, are some of the disc-related conditions our …

What kind of Doctor treats degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment Mercy’s orthopedic specialists and neurosurgeons have experience treating most forms of degenerative disc disease. For mild symptoms, conservative treatments may control your pain, strengthen your back muscles and improve spine flexibility.

What is pain control for a damaged disc?

Call 717-531-5638 Find a Doctor Near You Find a Location Near You Discs Break Down in the Spine Degenerative disc disease is a condition that affects your spine.

What is a degenerative disc disease (DDD)?

The doctors in the Stanford Medicine Spine Center have the experience needed to precisely diagnose and effectively treat degenerative disc disease, the condition where the discs between the vertebral bones in your spine break down as you age. We help relieve the symptoms of degenerative disc disease.

What kind of doctor is best for degenerative disc disease?

If you are researching spine surgeons, focus on surgeons who specialize in degenerative disc disease. Neurologists. These physicians specialize in the care of the nervous system. If you have nerve involvement, you'll probably work with a neurologist.Jan 3, 2020

What is the best treatment for severe degenerative disc disease?

Bed rest, or reduced activity, for the first 1 to 2 days after onset of severe pain, combined with anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, and ice and/or heat therapy. Prescription muscle relaxant medications, as needed, for up to 1 week. Gentle stretching and aerobic exercise, for at least 3 times a week.

Are there any new treatments for degenerative disc disease?

These cushion the spine, maintain flexibility, and help absorb the pressure of movement. But the discs degenerate with age, and chronic back pain is common among older adults. There are currently no treatments to stop disc degeneration.Sep 21, 2021

Can a chiropractor help degenerative disc disease?

Chiropractic care is a preferred treatment option for degenerative disc disease for a variety of reasons. Because it is gentle and non-invasive, chiropractic is much less likely to create undesirable side effects—which are common with prescription medications and surgery.Aug 21, 2019

Is gabapentin good for degenerative disc disease?

Anti-seizure medications, such as gabapentin (Neurontin), are sometimes prescribed to help control chronic low back pain. They may be especially useful for nerve pain, such as sciatica or peripheral neuropathy, caused by the degenerated disc.

What stage is severe degenerative disc disease?

Stage 3 – Stabilization

This is the late stage of spinal degeneration. At this stage severe remodeling of the bones and decrease of joint space causes for a severe loss of mobility. Bone spurs continue to grow and can narrow the spinal canal, which presses onto the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Can a neurologist treat degenerative disc disease?

If you suffer from a spinal condition such as disc herniation or degeneration, spinal fractures, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or other types of spinal injuries or pain, both a neurologist and an orthopedic doctor are equipped to treat these spinal conditions.Jan 28, 2020

What happens if degenerative disc disease is left untreated?

Without appropriate treatment, degenerative disc disease can cause lasting, debilitating back pain. The pain may become so severe that you find it difficult to carry out your normal daily activities. It can interfere with your mobility and your overall quality of life.

Can steroid injections help degenerative disc disease?

Epidural steroid injections may help relieve pain stemming from conditions such as spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, disc herniation, or degenerative disc disease.

How should you sleep when you have degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease

Sleeping on the stomach is typically preferred, as this position can relieve pressure on the disc space. People with degenerative disc disease may feel most comfortable using a relatively firm mattress while placing a flat pillow under the stomach and hips.

Can you become paralyzed from degenerative disc disease?

If the disc herniates in the direction of the spinal cord or nerve root, it can cause neurologic compromise. Disc herniations in the cervical spine can be serious. If significant enough, they can cause paralysis of both the upper and lower extremities, though this is extremely rare.

Will xray show degenerative disc disease?

A series of x-rays is also usually ordered for a patient with back pain. If degenerative disc disease is present, the x-rays will often show a narrowing of the spaces between the vertebral bodies, which indicates the disc has become very thin or has collapsed.

What is the best treatment for disc pain in the neck?

Surgery options include: motion preservation surgery. discectomy. laminectomy. If your discs have literally become a pain in the neck (or back), talk to your Mercy physician about your treatment options. We’ll help you find effective ways to manage your pain – so you can also find a new lease on life.

What happens when your discs become thinner?

When this happens, your discs lose flexibility and absorb less shock. And when your discs become thinner, there is less distance between each vertebra. Your vertebrae may even begin to rub against each other.

Can disc degeneration cause neck pain?

They also make your spine flexible, allowing you to turn, twist and bend comfortably. Regardless of the cause, disc degeneration can cause pain, numbness, weakness and other problems in your neck, back, legs or arms.

Can spinal discs break down?

Even though your spinal discs are durable, they’re still prone to wear-and-tear. Just as the brake pads in your car wear down over time, your discs can break down as you age. This deterioration leads to a variety of symptoms known as degenerative disc disease.

Where does degenerative disc disease occur?

Degenerative disc disease can take place throughout the spine, but it most often occurs in the discs in the lower back (lumbar region) and the neck (cervical region). The changes in the discs can result in back or neck pain and/or: Osteoarthritis, the breakdown of the tissue (cartilage) that protects and cushions joints.

What is the procedure to replace a damaged disc?

When necessary, your doctor may recommend replacing one or more damaged discs with artificial discs. This procedure is called a spine arthroplasty. We also perform other surgical procedures, but always as a last resort when we know that noninvasive options are not effective for the patient’s specific condition.

What is the name of the shot that is given to the spinal cord?

In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you receive a steroid injection (sometimes known as an epidural ), which delivers a more powerful medication through a shot into a nerve, muscle, or the fluid-filled area around the spinal cord.

What is the function of discs in the spine?

Spinal discs are soft, compressible discs that separate the interlocking bones (vertebrae) that make up the spine. The discs act as shock absorbers for the spine, allowing it to flex, bend, and twist. Degenerative disc disease can take place throughout the spine, but it most often occurs in the discs in the lower back (lumbar region) ...

What is the best medicine for pain?

Examples include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen.

What is Stanford Medicine Online?

The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!

Is degenerative disc disease a disease?

Degenerative disc disease isn’t actually a disease. It is the condition where the discs between the vertebral bones in your spine break down as you age.

Can a degenerating disc ever heal?

With age comes joint wear, including wear in the spine. This wear is a form of arthritis, a condition in which the cartilage in a joint wears down and away. This doesn’t necessarily hurt for a patient, but it can hurt and cause other symptoms and certain complications, so the patient might want to address the issue.

What can be done for degenerative discs?

Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are only stiffness and soreness, and these can be treated with icing or heat, as well as a gentle stretching program for the spine. If this doesn’t work for a patient or if the symptoms are more significant, then medication can help relieve symptoms.

What is the best treatment for degenerative disc disease?

Professional treatment may be necessary to control the symptoms of degenerative disc disease. For a case of arthritis that isn’t severe, prescription medication may be enough, or for a case that is more severe, other treatment may be necessary.

Will physical therapy help degenerative disc disease?

There’s a good chance physical therapy will help, yes! This therapy can help you strengthen your back, neck, and core muscles significantly to support your spine better, help compensate for the arthritis damage, and possibly reduce your pain. Physical therapy may be all you need for your treatment, or it can be combined with other treatments.

Where can I get degenerative disc disease therapy?

You can get any of the treatments we mentioned above, and more, right here at OmniSpine Pain Management! We have multiple locations in Texas (in Frisco, Mesquite, and DeSoto), so please see our Locations page for their addresses and contact information, then call us at the location near you.