Degenerative back disc disease: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

The intervertebrate discs are one of the most important elements of the spine, so it is considered healthy when the discs present in the back are in good condition. In this post we talk about degenerative disc disease, one of the most common causes of low back pain and neck pain, which can limit certain activities of daily living and may require spinal surgery in the most severe cases.

What is degenerative back disc disease?

Over the years, The discs of the spine suffer wear or degenerative process, what is known as degenerative back disc disease. Discopathy is a pathology that appears as a consequence of the alteration of the intervertebral discs, which lose the water content present in them.

In general terms, back disc disease begins at the age of 60, although in some cases, it can appear prematurely. Disc disease can affect one or more intervertebral discs, depending on the progression of the disease and the personal characteristics of each patient.

Mention can be made of the lumbar degenerative disc disease when the pathology is caused by the loss of height or thickness of one or more vertebral discs. On the other hand, the most common cause of axial pain is cervical degenerative disc disease, which causes muscle contractures.

Common symptoms of degenerative disc disease

Among the most common symptoms when a patient has back disc disease is pain, radiation, tingling or numbness, and even weakness or dexterity of the extremities. The pain appears in the cervical area and spreads to the back of the shoulder blades or to the arms.

The symptoms of this pathology will depend on its location, which on some occasions could lead the patient to have difficulty walking, turning or sitting. With the change in position, patients notice some relief.

Causes of degenerative disc disease

The aging process of people is not the only cause of the appearance of degenerative disc disease, so there are various factors that help suffer from this pathology, such as dryness of the intervertebral discs, so that they do not allow them to perform their function in their normal state. natural form.

Some injuries, especially those that have caused some instability in the spinal disc, are also common causes of degenerative disc disease. Indirect causes of degenerative disc disease could be overweight, carrying heavy objects, sedentary lifestyle or performing certain sports activities that cause damage to the spinal disc.

Diagnosis and treatment of degenerative disc disease of the spine

The purpose of the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative disc disease is to mitigate the symptoms and put an end to it, in the cases of patients with more extreme degenerative disc disease.

How is degenerative disc disease diagnosed?

The diagnosis of degenerative disc disease begins with a physical examination of the patient's body, paying special attention to the cervical region, back and extremities. With this study, it will be possible to observe the flexibility and range of motion that could be generating certain degenerative changes in the spine.

Given this symptomatology, a spine specialist will evaluate them, accompanied by imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI.

Treatment for degenerative back disease

In the mildest cases of back disc disease and with the aim of cushioning the pain that the patient experiences, specialists will try to do a series of strengthening and flexibility exercises of the spine, establishing hygiene and postural control guidelines to limit the misuse that is sometimes made of the spine.

When pain persists to the extent that it limits activities of daily living even with the treatments mentioned above, spinal surgery may be required. At Elgeadi Traumatology we have spinal traumatologists that can help you improve the quality of personal life.

With all this, it is essential to lead a healthy lifestyle, with a diet that has ingredients that contain essential vitamins and minerals to strengthen the spine, balancing emotions at all times.

As has been seen throughout the post and to avoid the appearance of diseases that endanger the quality of the spine, it is essential to take care of the spine from early on, and with this, not lose the strength of the back and the spine, without having to experience pain. If you would like to receive a tailored diagnosis from our team specialist traumatologists in Madrid, do not hesitate to make an appointment on our website.