Degenerative disc diseasetreatment aims to minimize symptoms and prevent further disc degeneration.
Damage to the disc cannot be reversed.
The right treatment option may depend on the extent of deterioration.
It can occur in any area of the spine.
This article will cover the different treatment options for degenerative disc disease, including conservative treatment and surgery.
Medication
Medication can minimize pain and inflammation in people with degenerative disc disease.
It will not stop the progression of the condition, but decrease its symptoms.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDsare medications that decreaseinflammationand pain.
They can relieve the associated back pain and decrease inflammation in the joints in those with degenerative disc disease.
Aspirin and Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) are common over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs.
Prescription NSAIDs include fenoprofen, ketoprofen, and sulindac.
Nonnarcotic Pain Relievers
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a common OTC pain reliever.
Prescription nonnarcotic pain relievers may also be recommended by a healthcare provider.
Narcotic Medications
Narcoticpain medications may be prescribed by a healthcare provider when pain is moderate to severe.
Narcotics like codeine and morphine work in the central nervous system (CNS) to numb pain.
While narcotics are an effective pain medication, they do carry many side effects.
These include:
Constipation is a very common narcotic side effect.
Talk to a healthcare provider about starting a stool softener or increasing dietary fiber.
Muscle relaxants should not be used long-term, but rather for just three to four days.
There are serious side effects like depression and drowsiness.
Antidepressants
Antidepressantsmay be used to treat pain and poor sleep in people with degenerative disc disease.
The chemical reactions in neurons that cause depression seem to be the same nerve pathways as pain.
Physical Therapy
People with degenerative disc disease may benefit fromphysical therapy.
The overall goal of physical therapy will be to decrease pain and improve muscle strength and flexibility.
This will help the body support the spine and reduce pain and stiffness.
There are many different treatments used under the physical therapy umbrella.
They may include:
Exercise
Regular exercise is an important component in maintaining spine health.
Exercise strengthens back and abdominal muscles, which support the spine.
A person with degenerative disc disease should talk to a healthcare provider before beginning an exercise routine.
Ask if any motions (such as twisting) should be avoided.
An acupuncturist will place the needles along meridians (traditional energy pathways).
Acupuncture may improve healing by increasing blood flow or relieve pain by releasing endorphins.
Heat or Cold Therapy
Heat and cold therapyis a common treatment used to alleviate pain in joints.
The cold will interrupt the pain signal, thereby reducing pain.
It will also cause the surrounding blood vessels to tighten, which will reduce swelling.
Heatcan be used with a warm towel or heating pad.
Spine Injections
Asteroid spine injectioncan reduce back pain and inflammation sparked by degenerative disc disease.
The injections use a combination of steroid medication andnumbing medicine.
Pain relief usually starts soon after the injection and lasts a few weeks to months.
Healthcare providers may limit the number of steroid injections a person can receive in a year.
Too many can cause an infection or skin discoloration.
Steroid injections are typically used when other conservative treatments are not successful.
Bracing
Another nonsurgical option for degenerative disc disease is aback brace.
A back brace is a medical gear that is wrapped around the lower back and secured with Velcro.
The brace does not completely immobilize the back but does reduce the ability to move.
It can stabilize the spine and reduce tension in people with degenerative disc disease.
Surgery
When degenerative disc disease does not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be necessary.
Below are the different surgical options that can be used.
An artificial disc is placed where the damaged disc is removed.
One of the greatest benefits is that it allows flexibility and stability in the spine.
They may need to wear a brace for support during the first few weeks after surgery.
Discectomy
Adiscectomyis a common surgery used in the treatment of degenerative disc disease.
During the procedure, the injured part of thediscis removed.
This alleviates pressure on the surrounding nerves by making room in the spinal canal.
A spinal fusion requires an overnight stay at the hospital.
There is no cure for the condition and treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing further degeneration.
Current treatments include exercise, physical therapy, and in severe cases surgery.
Talk to a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment route.
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