What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease is a misnomer because it is not a disease but a degenerative condition in which your spinal discs change during your aging process. The spinal discs are soft and serve as shock absorbers for the spine. Due to its added flexibility to the spine it allows you to flex, bend and twist with your back. Although degenerative disc disease can occur through out the spine but it typically occurs in the region around your lower back or the neck.
It is often understood that aging people tend to suffer lower back pain due to their degenerative disc disease. While it is true that the problem has the tendency to get worse as people age but the lower back pain caused by it does not necessary follow the same trend, or sometimes it is even improved over time.
Lower back pain is the most common symptom caused by degenerative disc disease. The pain gets more severe when people sit, bend, lift heave things or twist their bodies. Walking and jogging are considered better forms of exercise for lower back pain patients. To deal with this problem, sufferers are recommended to change their position frequently, especially lying down can relieve stress on the disc space effectively. To be properly diagnosed you may need to go see your doctor and have MRI scan taken so that the location of disc degeneration can be determined.
There are various stages of lower back pain from disc disease which may last from a few days to a few months. In addition to back pain there maybe some leg pain as well. Some other noticeable sensations such as numbness and tingling may also occur although these sensations seldom go below the knee. As disturbing as they can be, these sensations are not roots to cause nerves problems but if the legs muscles are getting weaken then you have to pay more attention because it may be indicator of never root damage.
Since typical problem caused by degenerative disc disease is lower back pain and often occur to young adults, there are fortunately possible treatments for that. Before checking yourself into any rehab program you can try some lower back pain exercise at home to relieve stress such as stretching while lying down. You should avoid a certain posture or doing heavy lifting work that may add excess stress on the disc. Importantly you can be more active in changing sitting or standing position so that you do engage in one position over time, hence reducing pressure on one specific location. Most light to mild back pain problem caused by degenerative disc problem can be treated through non surgical methods and self care.
To help with a little more severe pain, you can use some medicines like acetaminophen or muscle relaxants to help relieving stress. These medicines have their own strengths and limitations, use them under doctor’s guidance and supervision is advised.
If the problem likely gets worse like you experience permanent debilitating pain and temporary loss of function, possible treatments may vary from chiropractic manipulation, steroid injections, electrical manipulation, or even surgery.
Regarding Degenrative disk disease of the lumbar spine can this lead to disability to collect ssi. Also ok to take vicodin pain medicine.
The MRI shows disc degeneration and desiccation at L3-L4 and L5-S1. Physician’s interpretation was diffuse degenerative disk desease with degenerative arthritis.
I have very little pain in the morning. I stand, walk normal activity around the house.
Pain increases in the evening and laying on the back will help dissipate the pain.
This situation seem to deteriorate as time goes by (I’m 74). Tried pain killers, epidural injections (twice), even acupuncture treatments.
Am doing excercises for the lower back every day, 20 min’s.
Am I correct to assume that surgery is necessary here?
I am 81 yrs old diagnosed with DEGENERATIVE THORACIC SPINE.I Would like to know as I get older will I end up in a wheel chair or bedridden? Please give me an idea of what to expect. Thank You in advance Jack Atkeson
I am interested in finding out is there an average age of onset for this disease? I am 36 years of age and have had 4 back surgeries. The first 3 were lams. My last surgery was a three tiered spinal fusion from L3 to S1. From the research I have done on this disease it seems it most often presents itself in the late 40’s and 50’s. Is my situation a common one?
As it seems to have presented earlier in me does this mean it will continue up my back. Can you offer any insight as to what I have to “look forward to”. I am Very Concerned about this situation please help if you can. I was told by my last doctor I would most likely be in a wheelchair by age 40.
I have suffered for 20 years in pain in my back.Just a year ago I finally had a doctor treat the pain.Ihurt my back while working at adry cleaning service.My doctor gives me Flexoral but has not gave me anything for the pain.I need something for the pain some days it is so bad I can’t hardly walk.I use a Heating Pad everyday I can’t sit without apillow behind me .Anyone think I could get SSI .At this time I can’t work because of all the pain .It stinks when Doctors don’t listen.
My2nd MRI impression shows,
Minimal multilevel degenerative spondylosis, I’ve been severing with cronic back pain since 2009 from lifting. I’ve recieved 7 injections a nerve test that was normal and I all so take percocet for pain.I’m running out of time because my year will be up in November for workmans comp,I’m working modified 7 to 8 hours a day, the pain increases throughout the day which limits my mobility and my pain level goes up. .Minimal degenerative disc and facet disease and mild bulging annulus are present at the L4-L5 level.My question why I”m I in so much pain if this is minimal or mild, where do I go from here.