Degenerative disc disease (DDD), is a condition that concerns the degeneration of discs within the spine. The majority of the pain caused by this specific disorder occurs when the degenerating discs interfere with the functioning of other structures within the spine – pain is typically not caused by the degeneration itself. While degenerative disc disease most frequently affects the lower back and the neck, related pain has been known to radiate to other parts of the body – including the legs and hips. Spinal nerves branch out to nearby areas, and when these nerves are being pinched by a degenerated disc, you are likely to experience pain in all of the regions that the specific nerve travels to. When nerve roots, muscles, or joints are affected, inflammation or micro-motion instability may occur, leading to acute or ongoing pain. With adequate treatment, pain-related symptoms of degenerative disc disease can be successfully controlled or entirely eradicated.
Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease
Those suffering from degenerative disc disease will likely experience a host of symptoms, including:
- Severe, often disabling pain
- Numbness or tingling of the legs
- Loss of bladder control
- Pain patterns (such as increased pain when sitting, and decreased pain when walking, lying down, or frequently changing positions)
- Continuously worsening pain
Degenerative disc disease will always require a professional medical diagnosis. If you are experiencing pain in the legs, back, or buttocks that gets worse upon sitting, or if you experience frequent muscle spasms or stiffness, you may be suffering from a degenerative disc disease.
Treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease
If pain related to degenerative disc disease is relatively moderate, great improvement can be made with several minor adjustments to your daily self-care regime. The daily (or near-daily) incorporation of mild exercises such as yoga can prove to be exceedingly beneficial in the long-term alleviation of pain. Chiropractic treatments, such as physical therapy, are also often utilized. Some medications can be used in conjunction with non-invasive therapy methods; anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers are typically extremely beneficial when it comes to relieving related pain. In some cases, epidural steroid injections will be used to alleviate pain that is not resolved by over-the-counter medications. If degenerative disc disease is very far advanced, surgery may be necessary. If surgery becomes a necessity, we will advise you to seek the advice of a specialist; we work closely alongside a long list of specialists, and will happily refer you to the one we believe will best fill your individual needs.
How Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches Treats Degenerative Disc Disease
We at Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches know that every case of degenerative disc disease is different, thus each individual patient must be treated on a unique and personalized basis. When developing an adequate treatment plan, we will carefully examine medical history, co-occurring conditions, and the length and severity of present symptoms. If we find that a patient will likely experience a great reduction in pain with therapeutic treatment and medication, we will develop a plan of recovery inclusive of the best methods and medicines. If pain is more severe and persistent, we will look into less conservative options.
If you are suffering from degenerative disc disease, we can help. Call (561) 434-7577 and let the caring staff at Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches get you on the path to healing.
