Do you experience increased pain during exercises that involve bending or lifting something heavy? Is lower back pain preventing you from enjoying your favorite activities? You may not know it, but degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the most common causes of back pain. This condition refers to symptoms caused by normal wear and tear on a spinal disc.
Even if your pain is manageable, it is still important to visit an experienced DDD specialist. Preston Surgery Center employs board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons who can help. To learn about DDD treatment options, call our facility for a consultation in Frisco, TX. We offer surgical and nonsurgical solutions so you can find back pain relief.
Degenerative disc disease explained
Degenerative disc disease is not actually a disease at all. While the name sounds intimidating, DDD simply refers to the natural wearing down of your spinal discs. It is usually common in individuals over the age of 60, although this is not always the case. Unfortunately, the degeneration of your discs can continue over time and may worsen if left untreated. You should seek a trained specialist if you believe you are showing signs of DDD.
Symptoms of DDD
The strongest indicator of degenerative disc disease is chronic pain that flares up when performing specific actions. This is frequently felt in the neck or lower back region because they tend to support most motions we perform. Activities that lead to flare-ups include bending or twisting. In some cases, DDD also causes weakness and numbness in the limbs. You may experience these symptoms in Frisco, TX, such as:
- Lower back pain or neck pain
- Difficulty turning your neck
- A feeling of weakness in your back
- Sharp pain radiating down your limbs
- Difficulty with activities that include bending or lifting
- Increased pain when holding a position
- Muscle spasms
Diagnosing degenerative disc disease
Preston Surgery Center will get your medical history and conduct a physical exam to diagnose degenerative disc disease. You may want to keep track of when your pain first started, how often it occurs, and the severity of the pain when performing certain motions. Our specialists may also be interested in your sleep habits and exercise levels.
Testing for DDD includes checking your spine for any abnormalities, as well as natural reflexes. Imaging services may be needed to confirm disc degeneration in the spine. These medical images can show normal wear and tear, a herniated disc, or other issues.
DDD treatment techniques
The good news is that the amount of pain you feel does not always correlate to the amount of damage to the spinal discs. So even if you experience severe pain, you may not require invasive therapy to achieve lower back pain relief.
Minor DDD treatment can be administered at home, including applying a cold pack or heating pad to the affected area. These are helpful for reducing inflammation and tension in the spine. If pain medications and other noninvasive techniques are not enough to address your pain, Preston Surgery Center may recommend surgery.
Discover back pain relief
If you are diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, there are many methods of pain relief available. At Preston Surgery Center in Frisco, TX, we have the experience and advanced technologies to provide you with effective treatments for lower back pain and more. Do not wait until your pain worsens or prevents you from participating in activities you love. Our trusted team is proud to help patients live a healthy and pain-free life.
