The Latest on Treating Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a very common medical condition that affects a large and growing portion of the population.  In fact, the low back pain that often accompanies DDD is the leading cause of disability in people under age 45.  DDD has long been recognized as a difficult condition to treat, and many patients undergo invasive, expensive and risky surgical procedures every year in an effort to find relief.

Part of the reason DDD can be difficult to treat is that disc degeneration itself is not really a distinct diagnosis at all.  Rather, DDD refers more generally to a breakdown of the spongy cartilage discs that separate and cushion your vertebrae.  This breakdown is most often caused by normal changes that occur as part of the aging process.  While a majority of people will experience these changes pain-free, an estimated 85 percent of the population will show evidence of some disk degeneration by the time they reach age 50.  This means that there are two important things to keep in mind when it comes to DDD:

1. Most people will eventually have disc degeneration even if they do not have symptoms.
2. The fact that some degeneration is apparent in diagnostic imaging does not necessarily mean that DDD is actually responsible for your symptoms (pain, reduced mobility, etc.).     

WHAT CAN BE DONE—CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS

At the more conservative end of the spectrum, traditional treatment of DDD has usually involved finding ways to manage the pain.  The most common of these is taking non-steroidal painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen.  However, it’s important to realize that this does not ultimately address the cause of the problem.  The good news is that there are other conservative options available.

Many patients have found that manual therapies, such as chiropractic care and laser therapy can improve mobility and reduce pain without the need for medication.  These approaches center on restoring blood flow, easing inflammation, reducing muscle tension and increasing range of motion.   They can also stimulate the release of pain-relieving natural endorphins.

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy has also proven to be effective for many patients.  This treatment involves gently separating the vertebrae to reduce pressure on the spinal discs and encourage nutrients and water to flow back into them.      

SURGICAL OPTIONS

Surgical options range from minimally-invasive procedures like microdiscectomies to more invasive ones such as laminectomies and spinal fusions (also called spondylodesis).  Under certain circumstances, surgery may help relieve the pain caused by DDD and related pressure on nerves.  While these types of techniques have become increasingly common, they all involve the risks that accompany any type of surgery.  They also involve risks that are more specific to surgery on or around the spine.

Always be sure to consult your family physician and be sure to get a second (and third) opinion before undergoing any type of surgery.  They can help you balance the likelihood of success against the risks and expense.   Most healthcare professionals recommend that patients exhaust more conservative treatment options before choosing surgery.

If you are suffering from degenerative disc disease give our office a call at (703)912-7822 or visit us at Chiropractors in Burke, VA.

By Dr. Todd P. Sullivan