Your spinal discs are soft, compressible shock absorbers between the bony vertebrae that make up the spine. As you age, your spinal discs will lose their layers, developing pain, swelling, and soreness throughout the back. Degenerative disc disease is a condition more so than a disease. Because of the full range of symptoms associated with this condition, several factors can cause this condition to occur.
About Your Spinal Discs
Your entire spine contains 33 vertebrae, and discs separate the top three-quarters of your spine. These discs provide cushioning, help absorb shock, and help keep the body’s weight in even distribution. Your spinal discs have multiple parts to them to improve your spine function. Each disc contains:
Annulus Fibrosus – A sturdy and durable outer layer containing nerves allowing the spine to detect pain, support the external muscles, and protect the vertebrae. When this area of the disc is damaged, the tears can be quite painful and
Nucleus Pulposus – The nucleus pulposus is a gel-like inner layer that contains a jelly-like material, mostly made of water and collagen fibers. This internal structure gives the discs the spine from shock and withstands forces of compression and torsion. When damaged, it typically causes a herniated disc, which produces a significant amount of pain.
Spinal discs don’t get much blood supply, meaning that once they’re damaged, it cannot repair itself and produce degenerative disc disease. Degenerative disc disease typically has three stages:
1. Acute pain will occur and make normal movement difficult
2. The bone will become unstable due to the injury, and over a long period, the back pain will come and go over time
3. The body will re-stabilize by using the exterior muscles to support the spine to compensate for the injured disc. However, in cases of damage, this can lead to inflammation of the nerve roots near the disc and reoccurring pain.
Causes and Treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease
With this condition, the discs will dry out, making the disc unable to absorb shock. Discs can also tear due to daily activities and sports, and some people will experience some degree of degenerative disc disease at some point in their lives. Other conditions, such as osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis, can cause this condition because of the breakdown and narrowing of the joints and spinal canal.
For immediate treatment, ice/hot packs can relieve the pain and acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, these are only temporary treatments, and at Ocean Spine, Dr. Pranay Patel can treat degenerative disc disease using a variety of non-surgical and surgical procedures. Dr. Patel will diagnose your condition using your medical history and a physical examination and examine your discs using magnetic resonance imaging to observe your spine’s health and provide medical support.
At Ocean Spine, Dr. Patel treats this condition at various locations in South Bay, Los Angeles, and Long Beach, CA. Ocean Spine has spinal specialists that can help heal nerve pinches, herniated discs, and other varying conditions of the spine with professionalism and compassion. Contact Ocean Spine to make the most out of your spine care and your pain today.