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• Degenerative Disc Disease Pain

Degenerative Disc Disease Pain

Degenerative disc disease pain affects over 65 million individuals across the world, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. However, the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery estimates that by the age of 50, about 85% of Americans will have some form of degenerative disc disease (DDD), even though they may not experience any symptoms.

Let’s begin with a few facts about degenerative disc disease so that we can understand why some cases cause pain, while others don’t present any symptoms. Our spine is made up of a series of vertebrae, intervertebral discs, joints, ligaments, and muscles. The intervertebral discs are soft cushions located in between the vertebrae, and when functioning correctly, the discs protect our spine and act as ligaments to join adjacent vertebrae. As we age, however, discs lose their natural moisture and they start to weaken—these are the hallmarks of degenerative disc disease. Common symptoms include travelling pain, localized pain, numbness, and tingling around the spine and in the extremities, but only if disc damage impinges on the spinal nerves. Conditions that can cause neural compression include herniated disc, bulging disc, compressed discs, thinning discs, spondylolisthesis, and others.

Degenerative disc disease pain can vary depending on the location of damage:

• Lumbar disc pain - disc damage in the lower back can affect nerves that control sensation in the buttocks, legs, and feet. You may experience pain that shoots down the back of the leg, around to the calf, and down through the toes, due to pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Thoracic disc pain - you may feel pain in the area of the rib cage, sternum, torso, and inner arms. You may also feel discomfort when twisting, arching, or bending your back. Numbness or tingling may occur.
• Cervical disc pain - includes the upper back and neck. Damage to discs between the cervical vertebrae can result in pain, tingling, or loss of feeling in the neck or shoulders. Since these vertebrae link the spine to the head, problems with head-neck coordination can occur.

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If you believe the pain you feel is caused by degenerative disc disease, it’s time to visit your primary care physician or an orthopedist. A physical exam and an MRI or CT scan can confirm your diagnosis and help your doctor determine what treatments are available for you. For more information about treatment options, contact Laser Spine Institute (LSI). We offer endoscopic, outpatient alternatives that can release the pinched nerves in your spine and put you on the road to recovery. Call or e-mail us today for a free review of your MRI or CT scan.

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