Between the vertebrae of your spine are discs that serve as shock absorbers and absorbers to help you comfortably carry out routine activities like bending and standing. Degenerative Disc Disease – DDD – is a progressive health condition that results from the injury or wear and tear of one or more of these discs. Without treatment, DDD may worsen, causing you even more severe health problems. This article looks at this condition and the treatment solutions offered by Raritan anti-aging regenerative medicine.
Table of Contents
What Causes Degenerative Disc Disorder?
DDD is commonly triggered by the wear and tear of the spinal discs, which later results in the discs naturally drying out and losing their function. Despite the name, it is not a disease but a natural progression as one ages. In fact, most people suffer from DDD in their 30s and 40s and are sometimes due to engaging in sports that result in severe physical injuries.
Degenerative Disc Disorder Risk Factors
Age is the leading risk factor for DDD, such that every adult above the age of 60 suffers from some form of disc degeneration. Moreover, other DDD risk factors include:
- Sedentary lifestyles.
- Obesity or being overweight.
- Serious car accidents.
- Excess stress on the discs and spine due to over-exercising.
Symptoms of DDD
DDD symptoms often vary from person to person. However, the following are the most common signs that something might be wrong with your discs:
- Lower back pains.
- Excessive pain after bending or twisting your back.
- Pain resulting from extending your neck to the arms.
- Severe pain that worsens from sitting.
- Back pain that might progress to your legs and buttocks.
- Pain that comes and disappears for a few days up to several months.
- Numbness in your legs and arms.
Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment
Once you receive a diagnosis for Degenerative Disc Disease, your doctor will develop a suitable conservative treatment program specific to your needs. The primary aim of treatment is to reduce your pain and discomfort and reduce your risk of complications. Some treatment options your physician might recommend include:
- Regenerative medicine.
- Acupuncture.
- Rest.
- Pain-killing medication.
- Activity modification.
- Chiropractic manipulation.
- Anti-inflammatory medication.
However, if your symptoms continue to worsen, your doctor could be forced to turn to more advanced treatments. The Performance Pain and Sports Medicine team offer the treatment options mentioned above and more advanced regimens like Disc biacuplasty, Epidural steroid injections, Percutaneous disc decompression, and Endoscopic spinal procedures.
DDD Exercise
Exercising has proven to be significantly helpful in strengthening the muscles surrounding the discs between your spine and helping increase oxygen and nutrients around the affected area. Therefore, it is crucial that you do some exercises to complement your other DDD treatments.
Conclusion
Severe Degenerative Disc Disease can often result in chronic health conditions like spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and even severe back pain. Therefore, you should consult the multidisciplinary surgical team at the Performance Pain & Sports Medicine Center, which provides minimally invasive and conservative procedures that minimize back pain. For more information about their services, feel free to call one of the practice offices in Raritan, Bordentown, East Brunswick, Houston, Texas, or Lawrenceville, New Jersey Today. You can also book an appointment online.