Degenerative spine disorders most commonly occur as a result of the natural aging process. Pause for just a moment to think about the wear and tear that is placed upon your neck and back. Every bend and twist, every harsh impact sustained after car accidents and experienced during athletics, and every pound you’ve ever lifted have all placed strain on your neck and back. It’s really no wonder that the spine eventually starts to break down as a result of the wear and tear it continually endures.

Common Degenerative Spinal Conditions

There are a number of degenerative spine disorders that can affect individuals as they reach middle age. Some of the most common conditions include:

Degenerative Disc Disease – This spinal condition occurs when the intervertebral discs (the pad-like “shock absorbers” that separate and provide cushioning to vertebrae) begin to break down. The discs become dehydrated, brittle, and lose flexibility, making them prone to herniating and bulging. A disc is said to herniate when its jellylike center (the nucleus pulposus) escapes through a crack or tear in the disc’s outer shell (the annulus fibrosus). In the case of a bulging disc, the nucleus pulposus remains contained within the annulus fibrosus, but shifts out of place and causes the disc to become misshapen.

Facet Disease – Also called spinal arthritis, this condition affects the facet joints that connect adjacent, articulating vertebrae. Like all of the body’s joints, the facet joints are prone to losing the cartilaginous lining that lubricates them and keeps them articulating smoothly. When this lining begins to wear away, the bones can begin to painfully grind against one another. In an effort to mitigate this bone-on-bone-contact and restore stability to the joint, the body can produce bony protrusions called osteophytes or bone spurs.

Symptoms of Degenerative Spinal Conditions

Though degenerative disc disease, facet disease, and various other spinal conditions can affect different anatomical components, many of these conditions can cause similar symptoms. In fact, in some cases, these conditions can cause no symptoms at all. Patients typically only experience pain and discomfort when a damaged, misshapen, or misaligned spinal component invades the spinal canal and causes compression of the spinal cord, spinal nerve roots, or spinal nerves. When this occurs, patients can experience pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness along the length of the affected nerve. Compression in the neck (cervical spine) can lead to discomfort in the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and/or hands while compression in the lower back (lumbar spine) can cause symptoms to appear in the lower back, hips, buttocks, legs, and/or feet.

Treatments for Degenerative Spine Disorders

In most cases, physicians will initially recommend conservative, nonsurgical treatment regimens for patients who are suffering from degenerative spinal conditions. This can include the application of ice to numb the area and reduce inflammation; the application of heat to increase blood flow to the area and relieve tension; the utilization of over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen; and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and ligaments that support the neck and back.

Some patients choose to complement their doctor-recommended treatment regimens with alternative therapies. Popular options include acupuncture, restorative yoga, chiropractic manipulation, and the use of herbal supplements. Before starting any alternative therapies, patients should consult their physicians to make sure the therapy doesn’t conflict with their conservative treatment regimen.

In the event that nonsurgical treatments fail to provide a patient with meaningful relief after several weeks or months, his or her physician may recommend surgery. Before consenting to any surgical treatment, patients may want to receive a second or third opinion to make sure the operation is necessary.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for several degenerative spine conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe outpatient procedures for degenerative spine conditions. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/degenerative_spine/disorders

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for several degenerative spine conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Degenerative Spine Disorders