Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a dreaded condition often misunderstood, as it’s a normal aspect of aging. At Austin Sports Medicine, our team of compassionate orthopedic surgeons takes the time to explain DDD to our patients so they can tackle their symptoms and win. Most people don’t need surgery. We have conveniently-located offices in Austin, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville, Texas, so call us or click the online appointment feature for help with DDD.

What is degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) develops when the discs sandwiched between your spinal vertebrae wear down over time. This degenerative process involves discs stiffening and shrinking as they lose hydration. Discs may develop exterior cracks. 

For some people, this process triggers new problems. For instance, disc herniation causes back or neck pain. Symptom intensity can vary widely, from mild, occasional discomfort to debilitating daily pain that disrupts daily life.

What are the signs of degenerative disc disease?

The most common symptoms of DDD include:

• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Pain worsens with movement and improves by changing position
• Back or neck stiffness or reduced flexibility
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the extremities (arms or legs)

Some people don’t experience symptoms, but if you have these issues, it’s a signal from your body: See a doctor soon!

Why does degenerative disc disease happen?

Disc degeneration is normal and happens to everyone as they age. As the discs lose water and grow increasingly stiffer, their ability to absorb shock decreases. Although you can’t prevent normal aging, you have control over some other factors that could contribute to disc degeneration. 

Two major contributors are extra weight, which places extra pressure on the spine, and smoking, which reduces blood flow to the discs and makes them dry out faster.

While it can’t prevent DDD, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight can help slow disc degeneration.

Can I treat degenerative disc disease without surgery?

Good news: 9 in 10 patients with DDD feel better within three months and don’t require surgery. Some of the nonsurgical measures to treat DDD are:

• Physical therapy to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility
• Pain management techniques like heat and ice packs
• Over-the-counter medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Lifestyle changes such as weight management and quitting smoking

Austin Sports Medicine also offers office-based pain management treatments, like steroid injections and biologics. Steroid injections can rapidly reduce inflammation, while biologics can help with inflammation and, potentially, disc repair.

If you need surgery for advanced DDD, our renowned orthopedic surgeons can help. They offer surgeries like discectomy (partial or total disc removal,) spinal fusion, and artificial disc replacement. 

If you’re dealing with back pain and looking for solutions, the team at Austin Sports Medicine is here to help. Call our office or use our online scheduling feature to book an appointment today.