Tips for Living with Degenerative Spinal Disc Disease
Feb 20, 2017
Degenerative spinal discs can cause a lot of problems including (but not limited to) back pain, loss of sensation, and a decreased range-of-motion or mobility. Treating these painful and debilitating symptoms requires a strategic approach. In this article, we are going to offer a few tips for living with degenerative disc disease and related back pain.
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a condition in which the discs in your spine begin to break down and degrade over time as the body experiences wear and tear with age. Spinal discs are incredibly important to the body’s ability to function well. Your discs act as a sort of cushion between each of the vertebrae in your spine. When these discs break down, it can cause pain and a lot of other problems. Some of the symptoms of degenerative disc disease may include all of the following:
Managing the pain that comes with degenerative disc disease can take many forms. First, of course, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis of the condition and the extent of the degeneration. If the discs are impinging nerves in the spine, and the pain is nerve related, a nerve block injection may be beneficial. If there is a lot of inflammation in the area, a steroidal injection could be the best option. It’s important to consult with a back pain specialist to discuss the full range of options available to you before deciding on a course of treatment.
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN treats patients throughout the Twin Cities who suffer from all types of pain – from acute to chronic. Our Minnesota pain physicians partner with each patient to form a treatment strategy that is unique to each patient’s needs. If you are experiencing chronic back pain, you may be dealing with degenerative discs. Contact our board certified pain management doctors today at our Edina or Minneapolis clinics to set up your appointment and get back to living a pain-free life.