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Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease

by Princeton Orthopaedic Associates


,

Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease

by Princeton Orthopaedic Associates

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What is Degenerative Disc Disease Like?

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) can make even the simplest daily tasks feel like insurmountable challenges. The pain starts as a constant, dull ache, but it can flare into sharp, stabbing sensations that shoot down your back, legs, or neck, making sitting or standing for even short periods excruciating. Everyday things like bending down to tie your shoes, reaching up high for something, or taking a short walk become frustrating obstacles.

As the discs in your spine lose their cushioning ability and nerves become compressed, the stiffness and discomfort may come and go, but there's always an underlying tension. It's hard to predict when a flare-up will strike, and this uncertainty can disrupt work, social gatherings, and family time. You might feel isolated or sidelined, as the things you used to do effortlessly now require careful planning and pacing.

The constant reminder of how much your condition limits your mobility and quality of life can feel overwhelming, leaving you frustrated and drained. The good news is that Princeton Orthopaedic Associates has orthopaedic surgeons who are sub-specialized in conditions of the spine. Our spine doctors also collaborate with

Degenerative Disc Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common yet often misunderstood condition. Despite its name, DDD is not truly a disease but rather a condition in which the wear and tear of spinal discs leads to varying levels of discomfort. Depending on the specifics of your individual condition, your symptoms can range from mildly annoying to severely debilitating.

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease occurs when the spinal discs, which act as shock absorbers between your vertebrae, begin to break down. While aging is a natural cause of disc degeneration, not everyone will experience significant discomfort or disability. In degenerative disc disease, the damaged disc causes pain and can lead to other symptoms that vary in severity.

Factors such as aging, daily activities, sports, and accidents contribute to disc deterioration. Treatment options for alleviating symptoms include both surgical and non-surgical approaches, such as disc replacement, acupuncture, back braces, and pain management therapies.

Anatomy of Spinal Discs: How They Work

Spinal discs serve as cushions between the bones of the spine (vertebrae), enabling flexibility and absorbing forces exerted on your back. Each disc has two main parts:

Nucleus Pulposus: This is the jelly-like center. Proteins within this core can irritate nearby tissues, resulting in swelling and discomfort if they leak into the nerve-rich outer layer.

Anulus Fibrosus: This is the tough outer layer containing nerves. Tears in this layer can cause significant pain.

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Unlike many other body parts, spinal discs have a limited blood supply, which means that once they are damaged, they cannot heal effectively. Unfortunately, the nature of this leads to a cycle of deterioration that typically spans 20 to 30 years, progressing through three stages:

  1. Acute Pain Phase: Initial injury causes difficulty in moving the back.
  2. Instability Phase: The spine becomes unstable, causing recurring pain.
  3. Stabilization Phase: The injured area stabilizes, often resulting in reduced but persistent discomfort.

What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is primarily caused by age-related wear and tear, but several other factors contribute:

  • Disc Drying: Discs are about 80% water at birth. Over time, they lose hydration, reducing their ability to absorb shock.
  • Micro-Tears: Daily activities and sports can create small tears in the disc's outer layer, leading to degeneration.
  • Excessive Strain: High-impact activities or repetitive movements can accelerate wear and tear, causing inflammation and instability in the spine.

By age 60, most people will experience some degree of disc degeneration, though not all develop symptoms.

Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms

Although symptoms of degenerative disc disease can vary widely, some common signs include:

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  • Increased pain when sitting, as discs experience three times more pressure compared to standing.
  • Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, or twisting.
  • Pain relief when walking, running, or changing positions.
  • Episodes of severe discomfort that come and go, lasting days or months.
  • Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the arms or legs.
  • In severe cases, foot drop or leg weakness due to nerve root damage.

How Is Degenerative Disc Disease Diagnosed?

Diagnosing degenerative disc disease involves a combination of a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and possibly imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While imaging can detect disc damage, it's not definitive for diagnosing DDD, as many people with disc degeneration remain asymptomatic.

Options for Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment

Treatment for degenerative disc disease aims to reduce pain and improve function. Options include:

Related Procedures and Conditions to Explore

Patients with degenerative disc disease may also explore treatments like:

  • Posterior cervical foraminotomy.
  • Lumbar microdiscectomy.
  • Steroid injections.

Conditions commonly associated with DDD include spinal stenosis, cervical radiculopathy, and arthritis of the spine.

Meet Our Orthopaedic Spine Specialists

Things to Avoid With Degenerative Disc Disease

If you have degenerative disc disease (DDD), it's important to avoid activities and habits that could worsen symptoms or accelerate the degeneration of the discs. Here are some things to avoid:

1. Heavy Lifting: Lifting heavy objects, especially with improper form, can put excessive pressure on your spine and exacerbate pain and disc degeneration.

2. High-Impact Activities: Activities such as running, jumping, or contact sports can strain the spine and increase discomfort, particularly in the affected discs.

3. Prolonged Sitting or Standing: If you are sitting or standing in one position for an extended period of time, this can lead to stiffness and increased pressure on the spine. You can take frequent breaks and change positions regularly to decrease these risks.

4. Poor Posture: Slouching or poor posture while sitting or standing can contribute to further stress on the spine and worsen symptoms.

5. Sudden Twisting Movements: If you make quick, jerking movements or twisting motions, these can cause additional strain on the spinal discs and muscles, leading to increased pain.

6. Weight Gain: Carrying excess weight puts added pressure on your spine, which can worsen degenerative changes and pain. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial.

7. Smoking: Since smoking can impair blood flow to the spine and speed up the degeneration of discs, as well as reduce the effectiveness of your body’s natural healing processes, it's recommended to not smoke.

8. Ignoring Pain: Pushing through significant pain can cause further damage. It’s important to listen to your body and avoid activities that aggravate symptoms.

If you have degenerative disc disease, consult one of POA's spine doctors for personalized advice on exercises and lifestyle modifications you can make to help manage your condition effectively.

Why Choose Princeton Orthopaedic Associates for Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment?

At Princeton Orthopaedic Associates, we combine cutting-edge techniques with compassionate care to help you manage conditions like degenerative disc disease. Our team of spine specialists is dedicated to guiding you toward improved health and mobility.

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