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Getting older increases your risk of degenerative disc disease. This condition leads to chronic pain and the loss of your spine’s range of motion. At Girard Orthopaedic Surgeons Medical Group, Inc., personalized care plans are available to relieve degenerative disc disease pain, tingling, and numbness. Orthopaedic specialist Neil Tayyab, MD, provides nonsurgical treatments to ease pain. Dr. Tayyab can also surgically remove damaged discs so that you can enjoy lasting pain relief. Call the San Diego or Chula Vista, California, office today to schedule a degenerative disc disease consultation or book an appointment online.
What is degenerative disc disease?
Between your spinal vertebrae sit protective discs that absorb shock. The discs also support your spine’s function so you can bend and twist without discomfort.
Age-related changes in the spine wear away the disc’s tough outer shell and lead to degenerative disc disease. The breakdown of one or more discs allows the vertebrae to rub together, creating friction, inflammation, and pain.
While most people suffer some level of disc degeneration after 40, you’re more likely to develop degenerative disc disease due to risk factors like:
- Spine trauma (injury)
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Being female
- Working a manual labor job
At Girard Orthopaedic Surgeons Medical Group, Inc., personalized treatment plans are available to ease pain and other symptoms of degenerative disc disease. Dr. Tayyab provides nonsurgical and surgical solutions to restore your spine’s function and health.
What are the symptoms of degenerative disc disease?
The hallmark symptoms of degenerative disc disease are neck and back pain. The pain can come and go before ultimately lasting for months.
Degenerative disc disease can also cause pain, tingling, and numbness radiating into other body areas. If the damaged disc is in your upper (cervical) spine, you might experience neck, shoulder, and arm symptoms. Damaged discs in the lower (lumbar) spine can cause symptoms to radiate into the hips, buttocks, and legs.
Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Girard Orthopaedic Surgeons Medical Group, Inc. for symptoms of degenerative disc disease that aren’t manageable with over-the-counter (OTC) medication.
Dr. Tayyab completes a physical exam and could order X-rays or other diagnostic imaging tests to assess the health of your spinal discs.
How is degenerative disc disease treated?
Initially, your treatment for degenerative disc disease could include physical therapy to strengthen the muscles supporting your spine.
You’ll need oral medication if your pain is too severe to exercise. Dr. Tayyab can also inject steroids directly into your spine to ease the inflammation causing the pain.
If you have severe symptoms of degenerative disc disease, you could need discectomy surgery to remove part or all of the damaged disc. In some cases, spinal fusion surgery is necessary to improve the stability of your spine and prevent further inflammation.
Call the Girard Orthopaedic Surgeons Medical Group, Inc. office nearest you today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for degenerative disc disease symptoms or book a consultation online.