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• Thinning Disc

Thinning Disc

The thinning of a disc in the back or neck can be a key indicator of degenerative disc disease. Over time, the water and protein content of our spongy intervertebral discs changes, resulting in discs that become weaker, more brittle, and potentially thinner as they experience the pressures of everyday movement.

The degeneration of a disc isn’t necessarily symptomatic, but in some cases, pieces of the disc might break away and irritate surrounding nerves. For example, disc fragments can block the spaces (or "foramina") between vertebrae where nerve roots travel from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. This narrowing of one or more foramina, called foraminal stenosis, can pinch, impinge, or irritate nerve roots. The resulting interference with nerve signals causes a range of symptoms at the site of the impinged nerve and in other areas of the body.

Furthermore, a thinning disc might eventually allow the bony vertebrae on either side of the disc to rub together. The resulting friction can encourage the growth of bone spurs (also known as osteophytes), and these bony overgrowths also can impinge on nerves.

A thinning disc can affect any of the spinal segments, and depending on the pathology of the problem, can be the source of a variety of symptoms, including:

• Local, chronic back pain or neck pain
• Sciatica pain in the lower body
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness and tingling in the extremities
• Radiating pain along the nerve

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The first step in treating a thinning disc and the other problems caused by degenerative disc disease is getting the diagnosis confirmed with a physical exam and medical imagery – either through an MRI or CT scan. Once it is determined that a patient’s intervertebral discs are showing signs of thinning – and it is apparent that the thinning is causing other problems in the spinal column – the doctor will typically recommend a conservative treatment plan. A combination of bed rest, pain medication, physical therapy, and the use of heat or ice packs is effective in most patients. In cases where the patient has not responded to nonsurgical pain management, surgical intervention to address a thinning disc becomes an option.

One appealing alternative to traditional open-back or open-neck surgery is endoscopic spine surgery. The minimally invasive, outpatient procedures offered at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) are designed to remove small bits of tissue that are impinging on spinal nerves, as opposed to other surgeries that involve disrupting and removing large portions of the spine’s structure. To learn more about LSI’s gentle, laser-guided procedures, contact our award-winning staff for a free MRI or CT scan review.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.