What degenerative disc means?

Degenerative Disc Disease is a general term for the condition in which a damaged vertebral disc causes chronic pain – either low back pain (and/or leg pain, sciatica) in the lumbar spine or neck pain (and/or arm pain) in the cervical spine.

Will degenerative disc disease get better?

Answer: Unfortunately, there’s currently no cure for degenerative disc disease, and once you’re diagnosed with DDD, it’s typically a lifelong journey of learning to live with back pain, neck pain, or other symptoms. Once your discs begin to degenerate, you can’t really reverse the process.

How do you treat degenerative disc disease?

Treatment may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, or both, special exercises, medications, losing weight, and surgery. Medical options include injecting the joints next to the damaged disc with steroids and a local anesthetic. These are called facet joint injections. They can provide effective pain relief.

What kind of pain does degenerative disc disease cause?

Generally, people with degenerative disc disease have chronic back or neck pain. Sometimes, though, pain will flare up—that’s called an acute episode. The main symptom, though, is pain, so you should pay attention to it and what makes it better or worse.

Is DDD a disability?

Degenerative Disc Disease, or DDD, is among the most common impairments for which the Social Security Administration (SSA) receives disability applications. While it is a qualifying disability under certain circumstances, proving your condition meets the SSA’s duration and severity level requirements can be difficult.

What is the best treatment for degenerative disc disease?

Treatments for degenerative disc disease

Pain relievers like acetaminophen.
Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.
Corticosteroid injection into the disc space.
Prescription pain medication.

Can you become paralyzed from degenerative disc disease?

A severely herniated disc can cause paralysis. Disc herniation is most common in the lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine).

Will an MRI show degenerative disc disease?

An MRI scan can also help detect a collapsed disc space as well as cartilaginous endplate erosion. Both of these issues are closely linked with degenerative disc disease pain, and it will also show bulging discs and pinched nerves.

What are the stages of degenerative disc disease?

What are the 4 Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease?

Stage 1. The first stage of degenerative disc disease may go unnoticed by the individual but can be identified by a chiropractor or other medical professional.
Stage 2.
Stage 3.
Stage 4.
Chiropractic Adjustments.
Spinal Decompression.

Why is disc degeneration so painful?

Pain associated with degenerative disc disease generally stems from two main factors: Inflammation. Inflammatory proteins from the disc space interior can leak out as the disc degenerates, causing swelling in the surrounding spinal structures.

Does walking help degenerative disc disease?

Aerobic exercise. Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or taking a low-impact aerobics class, has been shown to help relieve pain, promote a healthy body weight, and improve overall strength and mobility—all important factors in managing DDD.

Can you get Social Security disability for degenerative disc disease?

What are the signs of degenerative disc disease?

According to the severity, the location of the disc changes, the signs and symptoms of degenerative disc disease may vary from person to person. Common symptoms may include: Pain in the lower back at the begining. Pain in the buttocks and upper thighs.

Can degenerative disc disease be cured?

What is the treatment for degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease can usually be treated with a combination of pain management techniques, physical therapy, and other approaches.

How do you get degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease happens when one or more discs between the vertebrae (bones in your spine) wear down. Discs act like a cushion between your vertebrae and help to stabilize your spine. Degenerative disc disease commonly occurs in the neck or lower back as you get older.