Degenerative Disc Disease

Overview

• Degenerative Disc Disease is a common disorder of the back affecting millions of people around the wold

• Occurs when spinal discs deteriorate, which may cause vertebrae to rub against each other resulting in severe pain

• Disc herniation and/or the damage of nerve tissues may occur causing pain or numbness

Causes

• Degenerative Disc Disease is a natural process of aging and most individuals have some disc degeneration by the age of 60.
• 
  Injury to the low back can accelerate his process
• 
  Daily stresses of sitting, bending, twisting, and bad posture can also take its toll

Symptoms

• Chronic low back pain
• Aching pain in the buttocks or upper thighs
• Numbness or tingling in the lower back, legs and feet
• Stiffness in the lower back
• Inability to sit

Diagnosis

• X-rays
• MRI scans
• CT scans
• Discography

Treatments

• Non Surgical therapies:

-Physical therapy

-Pain Medication

-Excercise

• Surgery:

-Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

-Artificial Disc Replacement

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