Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common condition of the spine that causes neck or back pain. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the condition affects an estimated 40% of people 40 years of age. The risk of the disease increases with age to 80% among those aged 80 years or older.
Knowing the symptoms of DDD can help you seek medical attention and treatment from your doctor or neurosurgeon. However, it is not easy to tell whether you have the disease as the symptoms may be similar to those caused by other medical conditions. Your doctor will need to perform a comprehensive physical exam to make an accurate diagnosis.
As you continue reading, you’ll learn more about what is degenerative disc disease, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Understanding the Structure and Function of Your Spine
Your spine is a stack of interlocking bones called the vertebrae or spinal column. The three parts or regions are the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (upper- and mid-back), and lumbar spine (lower back). There are intervertebral discs located between the bones that help absorb shocks during movement. These discs have a thick outer layer called the annulus. A soft gel-like material called the nucleus is found inside the center of the disc.
Spinal discs also provide flexibility so you can bend and twist without friction or pain. Meanwhile, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the spine provide additional protection from injury and disc damage.
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
It is normal for the spinal discs to wear out as you age. Degenerative disc disease is said to occur if you develop pain and other symptoms due to the deterioration of one or more discs. The wearing out of the discs happens gradually over many years and may occur in the neck, upper back, or lower back spine.
However, the condition tends to affect mostly the lumbar spine.
Breaking down of the disc can start as early as in your 20s. Regardless, not everyone will experience pain. However, some people develop chronic back or neck pain which may interfere with mobility or daily function. On top of that, worn discs are more prone to bulging or herniation.
A herniated disc can cause pain, especially if the nucleus leaks out and enters the spinal canal. This can lead to an inflamed, irritated, or compressed nerve.
Risk Factors of Degenerative Disc Disease
While aging is considered the biggest risk factor, there are other things that can increase your chance of developing DDD. They include:
- Genetics
- Back or neck injuries
- Excess weight
- Activity level
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
What are the Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease?
Symptoms may differ depending on the region of the spine that is affected. Chronic pain (lasting more than 12 weeks) is a primary symptom and can range from mild to excruciating depending on the extent of the damage to the disc.
Symptoms of Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
DDD of the lower spine is far more common and typically triggers the following symptoms:
- Low back pain that is continuous but mild to moderate in nature
- Occasional flare-ups where the pain gets worse for a few days or weeks then return to a mild or moderate level
- Increased pain when sitting for prolonged periods, bending, or twisting
- Pain that radiates to the hip, buttock, groin, or thigh
- Feeling as if your back is weak, “locked up,” or will “give out”
- Lower back stiffness or limited mobility
- Pain that gets better with standing or activity
- Neurological symptoms such as pain that radiates from the low back down the leg, along with numbness, tingling, or leg weakness
A degenerated disc in the lower spine is sometimes associated with a lumbar herniated disc, lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar osteoarthritis, and sciatica (nerve pain).
Symptoms of Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
The second most common type of worn disc occurs in the neck causing symptoms including:
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Pain that radiates from the neck to the shoulders, upper back, arm, or hand
- Neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness along the path of a pinched neck nerve
The pain may be persistent or intermittent. It may get worse with movement and improve with rest. Pain may increase in intensity if the nerve is pinched or the facet joints are worn.
Symptoms of Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease
This type of disc degeneration is the least common. Symptoms include:
- Upper or mid back pain
- Pain that radiates to the neck, shoulder, arm, or hand
- Limited mobility due to advanced disc degeneration or bone spurs
- Nerve pain due to narrowing of the spinal canal and pressure on the nerve inside the spinal cord
- Neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs
How Is Degenerative Disc Disease Diagnosed?
Your doctor or neurologist can diagnose your symptoms. This can sometimes be difficult to do so since DDD may be linked to underlying conditions such as a herniated disc or sciatica. Nevertheless, your doctor will perform exams and tests that include:
- Physical exam
- Range of motion test
- Neurological/nerve test
- Bone test
- Imaging tests such as an x-ray or MRI to examine the spine, disc, and musculoskeletal tissue
- Discogram
- Myelogram
Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment Options
There are non-surgical and surgical treatment options available for DDD to help alleviate pain and slow disc degeneration. Treatment can include:
- Pain medications, e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Steroid injection to ease pain, swelling, and inflammation
- Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the spine and improve flexibility
- Spinal manipulation therapy
- Surgery (if other treatments failed)
A discectomy is a common surgery done in patients with DDD to remove the damaged part of the disc. The goal is to eliminate pain and neurological symptoms caused by pressure on the nerve. The entire disc may be removed and replaced with an artificial disc in some cases.
Contact Our Neurosurgeon in Orange County, CA
Does your doctor suspect you have degenerative disc disease and referred you to a neurosurgeon? Dr. Alexander Taghva MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in minimally invasive spine and disc surgery. We also offer non-surgical spinal stimulation therapy for chronic neck or back pain, sciatica, and neuropathy. We will perform a comprehensive medical evaluation before recommending a treatment plan to help you recover. Call our Mission Viejo office at 949-388-7190 to schedule an appointment today.
