1. Degenerative Disc Disease
Treatment

2. Individuals who have been diagnosed with
degenerative disc disease have a number of
treatment options at their disposal. Yet, before
any treatment regimen can begin in earnest, it is
extremely important to identify the
cause, location, and severity of the problem.
With this information in hand, the patient can
work with their doctor, spine specialist, or other
medical professional to develop a
comprehensive treatment plan that will have
the best chance of success.

3. Understanding Degenerative Disc
Disease
To find the best course of degenerative disc disease treatment, it is
necessary to first understand what exactly the condition entails. The
vertebral bones in the back and neck that make up the spinal column
are cushioned and separated by thick, spongy intervertebral discs that
act as shock absorbers for the spine. It is these discs that allow the
vertebrae to articulate against one another comfortably, providing the
regular movement that is expected from the back and neck. Each disc
is made of two main components: a thick outer shell and soft inner
core. The outer shell, known as the annulus fibrosus, contains the
inner gel-like nuclear material, which is known as the nucleus
pulposus.
The condition known as degenerative disc disease causes the
deterioration of the annulus fibrosus, which can allow the disc walls to
extrude beyond their normal parameters, or rupture, paving the way
for the nucleus pulposus to seep into the spinal column.

4. Causes
Generally speaking, degenerative
disc disease develops as a result of
nothing more than the natural aging
process and is particularly common
in the cervical spine in the neck and
the lumbar spine in the lower back.
Over the years, the wear and tear
associated with regular mobility in
the spine takes its toll, causing the
components that support the spinal
column to gradually deteriorate.
Some degree of deterioration is an
unavoidable byproduct of the aging
process, however, when the spinal
degeneration advances to the point
that symptoms arise, the patient is
said to have degenerative disc
disease.

5. Conservative Treatment
One of the good things about degenerative disc disease is that in most cases
it can be treated with a regimen of conservative, noninvasive techniques.
More often than not, the symptoms stemming from this condition are caused
by the damage, irritation, or constriction of a nerve root or the spinal cord
near the affected disc. So, treatments are designed to alleviate this irritation.
The secret to treatment is to find the right combination of techniques that
will best serve the patient, as what works for one won’t necessarily work for
all. It is also exceedingly important for the patient to maintain the proper
expectations for degenerative disc disease treatment. There is no silver-bullet
cure for degenerative disc disease. Instead, treatment usually takes several
weeks or months until the patient finds sufficient and long-lasting pain relief.
While treatment options vary from patient to patient, some combination of
prescription or over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, epidural injections, physical therapy, light exercise, hot therapy, and/or
cold therapy are most often recommended.

6. Surgical Intervention
In some instances, when all other treatment plans fail to provide the
expected relief, spinal surgery may be recommended as a final
degenerative disc disease treatment option. In this case, there are
several different approaches to surgery that may be recommended
ranging from the highly invasive to the lightly invasive. Each type of
surgical procedure has its own utility, limitations, and sacrifices, which
is why it pays to do homework and research the various avenues
available. Never consent to a surgical procedure without receiving a
second and third opinion, and make sure that you are completely
comfortable with the proposed operation, your diagnosis, and your
doctors.
To learn more about degenerative disc disease treatment, speak with a
physician today.