Degenerative Disc Disease

Let St. Louis Pain Consultants Help with Degenerative Disc Disease

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative Disc Disease is one of the most common causes of low back and neck pain. Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on spinal disc. Spinal discs are rubbery cushions between your vertebrae (bones in your spinal column). They act as shock absorbers and help you move, bend and twist comfortably. Everyone’s spinal discs degenerate over time and is a normal part of aging.

Several factors can cause discs to degenerate, including age. A healthy spinal disk contains about 80 percent water. As we age, the disc dries out and does not absorb shocks as well. Daily activities and sports cause tears in the outer core of the disc which contributes to disc degeneration over time. Finally, a history of injury or trauma, such as a car accident, can accelerate the progression of degenerative disc disease.

3d Illustration of a degenerated, prolapsed intervertebral disc of the dog spine. A common disease in Dachshunds but also in other dogs.

Almost everyone has some disc degeneration after age 40, even if they don’t develop symptoms. It can lead to back pain in about 5% of adults. This degeneration can lead to a variety of different conditions and pain which include: herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and arthritis.

Common Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms

  • Comes and goes, lasting for weeks or months at a time.
  • Leads to numbness or tingling in your arms or legs.
  • Is in you lower back, buttocks, or upper thighs
  • Is in you neck, trapezius, or shoulders
  • Feels worse when you bend, lift, or twist
  • Is worse when going from a seated to standing position

If you are living with Degenerative Disc Disease , seek help from St. Louis Pain Consultants.

We want to help remind you what life without pain feels like.

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