What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease is a medical condition where the flexibility and functioning of your spine gets worse over time. While everyone experiences some loss of functioning and flexibility in their spine as they age, if this depreciated functioning of the spine causes back pain, then it may be a sign of degenerative disc disease.
Degenerative Disc Disease Causes
Degenerative disc disease is caused by parts of the spine getting weaker. For example, degenerative disc disease causes include:
- Drying out of the spine - The discs in the spine are primarily made up of water when you are born. As you get older, your discs lose water, causing the discs to become thinner and worse at absorbing shocks. With degenerative disc disease, this may get to the point that it causes back pain.
- Tearing of the outer wall of the spine.
Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms
Degenerate disc disease symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Lower back pain
- Severe back pain that lasts for days or even months
- Back pain that becomes worse while sitting, and better when moving
- Back pain that becomes worse when bending, twisting or lifting
- Back pain that improves when changing positions or lying down
Degenerative disc disease can be very serious. Degenerative disc disease can also significantly impact a patient's quality of life.
If you or a loved one experience any of the above degenerative disc disease symptoms, it's important to talk with an SOS back pain specialist. The team of SOS back pain specialists are experienced in helping patients treat and manage degenerative disc disease symptoms.
Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment near Syracuse, NY and Surrounding Regions
Degenerative disc disease treatments depend on how serious and developed a patient's degenerative disc disease is. Some patients may benefit from conservative treatment, while others may require surgery.
Common degenerative disc disease treatments include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Pain relief medications
- Physical therapy
Degenerative Disc Disease Surgery
When other degenerative disc disease treatments are unsuccessful, degenerative disc disease surgery may be necessary. Degenerative disc disease surgery may include removing the affected part of the disc. Another type of degenerative disc disease surgery includes removing the whole affected disc and replacing with an artificial disc.
The team of surgeons at SOS have years of experience in performing degenerative disc disease surgery. We provide total orthopedic care for all degenerative disc disease patients. This can include providing care before and after degenerative disc disease surgery. This can make a major difference for patient recovery.
Back Pain Relief for Degenerative Disc Disease
If you or a loved one experience degenerative disc disease symptoms, it's important to speak with a medical professional. Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists' back pain specialists are experienced in the treatment and management of degenerative disc disease.
An SOS back pain specialist can develop a personalized care plan based on you or your loved one's specific needs, and severity of degenerative disc disease.