Degenerative Disc Disease
What is it?
May be likely if
Pain directly on top of affected area
Classically pain caused by degenerative disc disease localizes directly over the area of degeneration.
Pain has existed for weeks or months
Degenerative disc disease tends to be a process that occurs over years and the pain has usually been present for quite some time.
Previously diagnosed with degenerative disc disease
Degenerative disc disease is very common. If you have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease since the onset of your symptoms, then there is a high chance this is the cause of your pain.
No change in pain when affected area is pressed
Unlike other forms of back pain, degenerated discs typically do not become more painful when you push on the site of back pain.
No change in pain when turning side to side
Unlike other forms of back pain, degenerated discs typically do not become more painful when turning your head or back.
Potential Treatments
Epidural Steroid Injection
An epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive procedure where long lasting steroids are injected into the vertebral disc to reduce inflammation and swelling that are the drivers of pain disc related pain.
Basivertebral Nerve Ablation
First, let's explain the basivertebral nerve. The basivertebral nerve is the major pain fiber that supplys the vertebral body and is frequently the cause of chronic back pain. Nerve ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that stops the nerve from transmitting pain signals to the brain.
Stem Cell Injection
Stem cell therapy is a new way of using your bodies own stem cells to repair injured vertebral discs.
Conservative Management
The major conservative means of trying ot decrease pain related to degenerative disc disease is to modify activity, carefully use medications for pain relief, and physical therapy (if tolerated).
