• About
    • AccuCision
  • Procedures
      • spinal-cordALIFThe ALIF procedure is used to treat Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. The degenerated disc is removed and the vertebrae are fused.
      • occipital-nerve-blockCaudal Steroid InjectionA causal steroid injection is a procedure using an injection of steroid medication to relieve lower back and leg pain.
      • occipital-nerve-blockCeliac Plexus BlockA celiac plexus block is a procedure using an injection to assist in the diagnosis and reduction of abdominal pain caused by conditions such as cancer or pancreatitis.
      • occipital-nerve-blockCervical Steroid InjectionA cervical steroid injection is a procedure that uses an injection to relieve neck, shoulder and arm pain caused by pinched nerves in the cervical spine.
      • spine-inflammationContinuous Catheter Nerve BlocksA procedure to relieve pain by introducing a catheter to continuously provide local anesthetic to a painful area of the body.
      • spine-inflammationDisc DenervationA procedure used to treat chronic disc-related pain using radiofrequency ablation.
      • spine-nervous-systemDiscographyDiscography is a diagnostic technique used to determine the source of back pain and allows doctors to more effectively determine the best course of action for treatment.
      • occipital-nerve-blockEpidural Steroid InjectionEpidural Steroid injections may be used to eliminate pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms caused by pinched nerves.
      • occipital-nerve-blockFacet InjectionsFacet injections are used to determine whether facet joints are responsible for joint pain, and can treat the associated pain if the facet joints are to blame.
      • occipital-nerve-blockGanglion Impar BlockThis procedure helps to reduce pain in the pelvic region through a simple steroid injection.
      • discectomyHemilaminectomyA hemilaminectomy is a procedure used to decompress pinched nerve roots by removing a single lamina bone.
      • discectomyIntralaminar Lumbar Micro Endoscopic DiscectomyA surgical procedure to relieve pain from irritated nerve roots being pressed upon by herniated disc tissue.
      • discectomyLumbar MicrodecompressionA surgical procedure to ease pain and eliminate symptoms by relieving compression of nerve roots in the lumbar spine.
      • occipital-nerve-blockMedial Branch BlocksMedial Branch Blocks are used as an initial measure for back pain reduction. An anesthetic is injected into the affected area of the spine to reduce inflammation and pain.
      • discectomyMicro Endoscopic DiscectomyA micro endoscopic discectomy is a surgical procedure to relieve pain from irritated nerve roots being pressed upon by herniated disc tissue.
      • man-stretchingMyelopathyMyelopathy reduces spinal function as a result of trauma or degenerative spinal conditions.
      • occipital-nerve-blockOccipital Nerve BlockThe Occipital Nerve Block procedure utilizes a quick injection of a steroid into the tissues surrounding the occipital nerve reducing swelling and pain.
      • peripheral-nerve-stimulationPeripheral Nerve StimulationThe Peripheral Nerve Stimulation procedure utilizes the latest in advances electrotherapy to manage pain caused by nerves in the spine.
      • spine-nervous-systemRadiofrequency AblationRadiofrequency Ablation works to eliminate facet joint pain by means of a tiny probe which prohibits the affected nerve from transmitting pain signals.
      • spine-inflammationSpinal Cord Stimulator ImplantA spinal cord stimulator implant uses a surgical procedure to implant a spinal cord stimulator.
      • occipital-nerve-blockSuperior Hypogastric Plexus BlockHypogastric Plexus Blocks are injections into the spine that help to alleviate pain in the pelvic region.
      • occipital-nerve-blockSympathetic BlockA Sympathetic Block consists of an injection of a local anesthetic into or around the sympathetic nerves.
      • spinal-cordTLIFA surgical procedure used to relieve pain and discomfort from the compression of nerve roots in the lumbar spine.
      • spinal-cordXLIFThe XLIF procedure is a groundbreaking solution to pain caused by disc degeneration. The procedure typically lasts about an hour, and drastically cuts recovery times.
  • Conditions
      • degenerative-discAnnular TearAnnular Tear is a condition where one of the intervertebral discs tears, compromising the support of the spine.
      • degenerative-discArthritisPain from arthritis comes from the wearing down of cartilaginous tissues that insulate joints, allowing bones (or bone spurs) to come into direct contact with one another during motion.
      • bulging-discBulging DiscsBulging discs are a result of discs slipping and expanding into crevasses in the spine and occur over time, often a result of aging.
      • sciaticaFacet DiseaseFacet disease is a form of arthritis that is localized in the Facet joints. Renova doctors can treat Facet disease using just a laser.
      • spine surgeryFailed Back SurgeryIf patients have had an unsuccessful back surgery in the past, Renova can provide corrective surgery and treatment.
      • herneated-discHerniated DiscA Herniated Disc causes radiating, aching pain, sometimes with tingling and numbness, that starts in the buttock and extends down the back of one leg.
      • kyphosisKyphosisA progressive spinal disorder that results in a forward curvature of the spine and may be the result of injury, disease, fetal development abnormalities or birth defects.
      • spine surgeryMyelopathyMyelopathy reduces spinal function as a result of trauma or degenerative spinal conditions.
      • sciatica-2Pinched NervePinched nerves are caused by increased pressure on nerves by surrounding discs, bones, tissues, or ligaments.
      • spine surgeryRadicular SyndromeCompression of the nerve roots, usually due to degenerative changes in the spine and disease.
      • sacroiliac-jointSacroiliac Joint DiseaseNerve damage and SI joint inflammation due to trauma to the sacroiliac joint.
      • sciatica-2SciaticaSciatica occurs when there is increased pressure on the Sciatic Nerve. This can cause pain on one side of the body, including the hips, legs and feet.
      • spinal-stenosisSpinal StenosisSpinal Stenosis is the narrowing of openings within the spinal canal through which the spinal cord and nerve roots pass.
      • spine surgerySpondylosis / SpondylitisConditions related to arthritis of the spine and may occur as part of the normal aging process or be exacerbated due to injury or disease.
  • Surgeons
  • Contact

Renova Spine

Spine Care


Degenerative Disc Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Published by apage on May 19, 2015

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) refers to the natural changes that occur in the spinal discs over time. Although all individuals will experience signs of wear and tear during the aging process, those with damaged spinal discs will experience pain caused by this degeneration.

How Does The Spine Degenerate?

The intervertebral discs located between each vertebra in the spine are designed to absorb much of the pressure and mechanical stress caused by daily movement. These pillow-like cushions are filled with fluid that allows for flexibility and shock absorbing characteristics that help with stability.

When you suffer an injury, the intervertebral disc loses its water content and shock absorbing characteristics. As as result, you may experience localized or radiating pain.

Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

The most common symptom of degenerative disc disease is back pain that spreads to the buttocks and upper thighs. The pain that is caused by the deterioration of the disc itself is commonly referred to as discogenic pain. Patients who experience discogenic pain may feel better while walking or running than while sitting for long periods of time.

A Herniated disc is another fairly common condition that falls within the category of degenerative disc disease. A herniated disc occurs when a damage to a spinal disc causes its jelly-like nucleus to be pushed out into the spinal canal. This type of disc degeneration can be detected with an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

Methods of Treatment

Most cases of degenerative disc disease can be treated non-surgically through rest following an injury. However, it is recommended that a patient only remain on bed rest for a period no longer than two to three days so as not to further weaken the back muscles.

Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy and mobility enhancement programs to calm the symptoms of back pain and return some of the function to the back muscles and surrounding areas.

However, if the symptoms persist, a doctor may need to perform a spinal fusion to permanently join the two intervertebral discs and eliminate movement at these points.

Posted in Information, News, Treatment | Tagged disc degeneration, herniated disc, lower back pain, spinal disc

← Previous Next →

Copyright © 2022 Renova Spine. Powered by WordPress and Spine.