Degenerative disc disease treatment is not “one size fits all.” What works for one patient might actually prove useless for another. Developing a proper treatment regimen to manage the pain, tingling, numbness, and/or muscle weakness associated with symptomatic degenerative disc disease is a matter of working closely with your physician to determine what works and what doesn’t. This process might take weeks, or even months.

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Before delving into the various treatment options that are available, a brief overview of degenerative disc disease is in order. The vertebrae of the spine are separated and cushioned by sponge-like intervertebral discs. These discs are composed of two parts: gel-like inner material (nucleus pulposus) and a tough, layered outer wall (annulus fibrosus). Degenerative disc disease is defined as the gradual deterioration of these components. As we age, the discs begin to lose water content and become brittle. The weakened outer wall, under excess pressure from the adjacent vertebrae, may bulge out of its normal boundary (bulging disc). Eventually, cracks may form, allowing the gel-like inner material to leak into the spinal canal (herniated disc).

Symptoms

In many cases, degenerative disc disease produces no symptoms. However, when a related anatomical anomaly – such as a bulging disc, a herniated disc, or bone spurs – makes contact with the spinal cord or an adjacent nerve root, symptoms can arise. This can occur at any level of the spine, but is most common in the lumbar (lower back) region, where the vertebrae and discs must bear much of the upper body’s weight and are subjected to a great deal of stress-inducing bending, twisting, and turning.

Plenty of Conservative Treatment Options Available

If spinal nerve compression should occur, sending waves of pain down your leg or robbing your fingers of sensation, there are a variety of conservative, nonsurgical options available to help manage the symptoms. Work closely with your doctor to determine the best combination of the following treatment methods:

– Pain medication – For less-severe or intermittent pain, a doctor might suggest over-the-counter analgesics. For chronic pain that is more severe, prescription medication might be necessary.

– Exercise – Walking, swimming, light weight training, and other forms of low-impact exercise can serve to strengthen the muscles in the back or neck and improve flexibility. A physical therapist also can show you stretching techniques to reduce pressure on the back and neck and thereby reduce symptoms.

– Behavior modification – This can include improving posture while standing and sitting. It also can mean a commonsense approach to daily activity focused on avoiding actions that exacerbate symptoms.

– Corticosteroid injections – Epidural injections at the site of the nerve compression can reduce inflammation, numb the area, and block pain signals to and from the brain. The drawback? Relief is temporary, and doctors generally don’t recommend more than three or four injections in a 12-month period.

– Heat and/or ice applications – A heating pad might be applied to the painful regions in order to improve circulation. Ice or a cold pack will reduce swelling.

– Alternative medicine – This can include chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation (TENS), and other methods not practiced by mainstream doctors. The effectiveness of these methods might not be supported by broad scientific study, but thousands of patients turn to them, nonetheless.

When to Consider Surgery

It may take several weeks – even months – to determine which of the above treatment methods is right for you. Persistence and open communication with your doctor are key, and the vast majority of patients find that their symptoms begin to subside over time. However, if symptoms remain debilitating after all conservative treatment options have been exhausted, it might be time to discuss surgery with your doctor. Ask about the inherent risks of open back and neck surgery, which typically involve the use of general anesthesia, overnight hospitalization, excision of a significant portion of the spinal anatomy, and the insertion of stabilizing hardware to permanently immobilize the affected vertebral segments. Also research the possibility of a minimally invasive option, such as laser-assisted procedures that are performed on an outpatient basis using advanced, endoscopic techniques.

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 degenerative disc disease and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: Degenerative disc disease