What happens in Lumber Spondylosis or Disc Degeneration

In this Article - Learn how to cope with localized low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease and find the best treatments. Explore the different low risk pain intervention (injection procedure) options and lifestyle changes you can make.

What is meant by degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition that affects the spine’s intervertebral discs. These discs are soft, gel-like pads that cushion the vertebrae and allow the spine to bend and twist. Over time, these discs can wear out and degenerate, causing degenerative disc disease. This means that one or more of the discs lose their shape and function.

What causes degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease can be caused by several factors, such as:

1.    Aging: As people age, their intervertebral discs change naturally. They may lose water, become less elastic, and develop cracks or tears.

2.      Genetics: Some people may have a genetic predisposition to degenerative disc disease. If their relatives have had spinal issues, they may be more likely to develop disc degeneration.

3.      Trauma or Injury: Spinal injuries or accidents, or repeated stress on the spine, can damage the intervertebral discs and speed up their degeneration.

4.      Smoking: Smoking can worsen degenerative disc disease by reducing the blood supply to the discs and impairing the body’s ability to heal and maintain them.

What are the symptoms of degenerative disc disease?

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease may vary, but they often include:

Pain: The pain is usually felt in the lower back or neck, depending on where the affected discs are. The pain may spread to the buttocks or legs (if the lower spine is involved) or to the arms (if the upper spine is involved). However, the pain does not follow a pattern of sciatica pain which comes to the legs.

Stiffness: The affected area may feel stiff and less flexible.

Seating Difficulty: Sitting for some time may worsen the pain, while standing may reduce it. Pain shall vanish if patient lies down.

Associated symptom: These feeling of numbness or tingling may occur in the limbs if the nerves are also compressed or irritated in some cases.

Not everyone with degenerative disc disease has symptoms, and the condition does not always cause severe pain or disability. Treatment is offered to only those who have pain. Treatment options may include non-surgical methods like physical therapy, pain management, and lifestyle changes. In severe cases, surgery may be needed if non-surgical methods are not effective or if there are serious neurological symptoms.

What are the non-surgical treatment options for degenerative disc disease?

Non-surgical treatment options or pain interventions (injections) for degenerative disc disease (DDD) aim to reduce pain and improve function by addressing the specific sources of pain related to the condition. These treatments are often tried when other simple methods like medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes have not worked well. Some common non-surgical treatment options for degenerative disc disease are:

Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs): This involves injecting anti-inflammatory drugs and sometimes numbing agents into the epidural space around the spinal cord. ESIs can help lower inflammation and provide short-term pain relief.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This is a way of using heat from radio waves to stop some nerves from sending pain signals from the intravertebral discs that are hurting. This can make the pain go away for a longer time.

Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy (IDET): This is a way of using heat to fix damaged discs from inside. The aim is to make more collagen and close any small cracks in the disc, which can lower the pain.

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS): This is a way of putting a pacemaker like device in your body that sends electric shocks to your spinal cord. This can block the pain signals from reaching your brain, which can help with some kinds of long-lasting pain, such as the pain from worn-out discs.

Percutaneous Disc Decompression (PDD): This is a way of taking out a small part of the disc in your spine to ease the pressure and pain.

Intradiscal plasma Injections: This is a way of putting some of your own blood components into the disc that is hurting to help it heal and lower the swelling. This is not a proven treatment yet, but some research has shown good results.

These treatments may work differently for different people, and they are usually combined with other ways of managing pain. The best treatment for you depends on things like how bad your pain is, where it is, and how healthy you are. You should always talk to a pain physician doctor to find out what is best for you.

Lifestyle changes can also help you deal with the pain and problems from degenerative disc disease (DDD). Here are some things you can do to help yourself:

1. Keep a Healthy Weight: Being overweight can put more stress on your spine and make your pain worse. Keeping a healthy weight by eating well and exercising regularly can help take the pressure off your spine.

2. Stay Active with Low-Impact Exercise: Do activities that keep you fit, strong, and flexible without hurting your spine. Some examples are walking, swimming, and biking. Ask a doctor or a physical therapist to help you make an exercise plan that works for you.

3. Good Posture: Keep your spine straight and aligned when you sit, stand, and lift things. Use furniture and equipment that help you keep a good posture at work.

4. Core Strengthening Exercises: Make the muscles that support your spine, especially the ones in your belly, stronger. This can help your spine stay stable and balanced.

5. Regular Stretching: Do gentle stretching exercises often to make your muscles more flexible and relaxed. Stretching can help ease the stiffness and soreness from DDD.

6. Avoid Prolonged Sitting: Don’t sit for too long, especially in positions that hurt your spine. Take breaks to stand up, stretch, and move around during the day.

7. Use of Proper Body Mechanics: When you lift things, use your legs and keep the things close to your body. Don’t bend at your waist to lift heavy things.

8. Quit Smoking: Smoking can make your discs wear out faster. Quitting smoking can improve your overall health and maybe slow down the damage to your discs.

9. Hydration: Drink enough water to keep your discs hydrated. Hydration is important for the health and flexibility of your discs. Disc hydration is also increased by walking as it improves the blood supply.

10.Manage Stress: Stress can make your pain worse and affect your mood and sleep. Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as meditation, relaxation, or counselling.’

11.Comfortable Bedding: Pick a mattress and pillow that keep your spine in a good position. How you sleep can affect your spine health a lot.

At Rajarhat Pain Clinic, Newtown, Kolkata we are experts in treating Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). Our team makes personalized treatment plans, using the latest methods for the best pain relief. We use modern tests and procedures that are low risk and daycare in nature. We teach patients how to take care of themselves, and help them change their habits, such as exercising and sitting in a better posture. We want to improve how people live and feel. Rajarhat Pain Clinic has medical skills and an advanced setup for procedures.

About the Author:

Dr. Chinmoy Roy is a respected pain expert and author of multiple medical books who is available at Rajarhat Pain Clinic, Newtown, Kolkata. He is an expert of using radiofrequency, CRYO, chemical neurolytics and other modalities related to the pain procedures.