A degenerative disc in the spine can lead to painful symptoms and, even worse, it can threaten to decrease the protective armor that surrounds your fragile spinal cord and nerve roots. If we take into consideration all the wear and tear that our spines endure throughout the course of our lives, it is no surprise that thinning, drying, and weakening of our spinal discs and joints can occur. Since damaged discs are located so close to nerve roots and the spinal cord, it’s only a matter of time before disc material eventually impinges on nerve tissue, causing pain and disability. And, as the term “degeneration” implies, degenerative disc conditions in the spine only become gradually worse over time. It is imperative that you pay attention to the symptoms and take action as soon as possible.
Painful degenerative spine symptoms – such as tingling, numbness, inflammation, and traveling pain – can be treated by a conservative course of degenerative spine treatment, which might include:
- Medication –over-the-counter or prescription. Possible options may include muscle relaxants, narcotic pain medications, oral steroids, acetaminophen, and anti-inflammatories.
- Mild exercises and physical therapy – gentle stretches can help you maintain maximum mobility, strength, and flexibility. This also can build endurance and help strengthen surrounding muscles so that the degenerating region of your spine doesn’t have to support so much weight.
- Steroid injections – commonly known as an “epidural” because the injection is delivered in the spine’s epidural space, a steroid injection can help to temporarily reduce spine inflammation. Usually, cortisone is administered.
These degenerative spine treatments will not prove effective for every patient, but the experts at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) may be able to help. We have offered tens of thousands of patients the chance to rediscover life without pain through our minimally invasive, endoscopic procedures. Contact us today for more information about our outpatient procedures for the treatment of degenerative disc conditions in the spine, and for a free review of your MRI or CT scan.
