All About Degenerative Disc Disease: Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

You rely on all types of shock absorbers to move comfortably through your day. From the shocks in your car to the cushion in the soles of your shoes, humans have developed countless ways to make life a little less jarring.

We didn’t have to invent the most important shock absorbers, though. Our bodies come pre-equipped with them. Between each vertebra of your spine sits a gel-like disc, giving you the cushioning you need to move comfortably.

The problem, though, is that those discs can — and do — degenerate with age. In fact, by the time you turn 40, you’re probably dealing with some level of disc degeneration.

That’s why Patrick S Hill, MD, offers care specifically for degenerative disc disease at our office in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, California.

Understanding degenerative disc disease

As its name suggests, you get diagnosed with degenerative disc disease when the cushioning spacers between the bones of your spine start to break down. At first, it might not cause any noticeable symptoms. But as those shock absorbers thin and break down, you can experience:

Neck and back pain
Pain that radiates down your limbs or buttocks
Muscle weakness in your legs
Numbness
Pins and needles
Stiffness

If you’ve noticed unexplained symptoms in your neck or back, your discs could be to blame. That’s particularly true if that pain gets worse with sitting or bending.

You have a heightened risk of developing degenerative disc disease if you:

Experience weight challenges
Work a physically taxing job
Smoke
Are a woman
Injure your back

That said, because our discs degenerate over time, everyone is at risk for degenerative disc disease. If you notice neck or back pain, numbness, or shooting pain down your glutes, legs, or arms, talk to Dr. Hill.

Treating degenerative disc disease

You can make changes at home to protect your disc health. Dr. Hill teaches you stretches and strengthening exercises that help. In some cases, he might recommend physical therapy to build on that work.

If your symptoms don’t improve with conservative treatments, Dr. Hill explores injection-based treatment with you. These injections give you an effective but short-term way to moderate your discomfort.

To bring lasting relief, consider minimally invasive surgery. With options like a discectomy — which allows Dr. Hill to remove any damaged portions of your disc — or disc replacement surgery, you can restore your spine.

You’re not stuck with neck or back pain. Talk with Dr. Hill. He can determine what’s causing your discomfort, and if it’s a degenerated disc, explore your options. To get lasting relief, call our office or schedule your appointment online.