If you have pain in your lower back or your neck that interferes with walking, lifting, or performing other activities, you could have degenerative disc disease. This condition becomes more common with age and affects most seniors to some degree. With offices in Sun City West, Sun City, Gilbert, and Glendale, Arizona, NovaSpine Pain Institute offers expert diagnosis and personalized care of degenerative disc disease. To schedule an evaluation with a skilled specialist, call the office nearest you today or use the online contact form.
Degenerative disc disease occurs when one or more of the discs between your vertebrae become worn down and damaged.
Although this condition is not technically a disease, it occurs with age due to normal wear and tears on your spine. As the disc deteriorates, it no longer cushions or stabilizes the vertebrae, leading to pain and loss of mobility that can make daily activities challenging.
The primary risk factor for degenerative disc disease is age. If you’re over 60, you likely have some degree of deterioration in at least one of your discs. Additional risk factors include:
Jobs that require heavy lifting increase your risk of a disc injury, which can contribute to
degenerative disc disease.
Degenerative disc disease primarily affects discs in the lower back and neck, causing pain that ranges from mild to severe.
In some cases, symptoms aren’t present at all. In other cases, degenerative disc disease can cause excruciating pain that can prevent you from performing regular activities.
Your pain can travel to your arm, buttocks, hip, or leg. It can worsen when bending, twisting, or sitting and improve after walking or exercise. You might also notice numbness or muscle weakness.
The specialists at NovaSpine Pain Institute use the most advanced diagnostic techniques and equipment to determine the cause of your back pain.
During your evaluation, your doctor carefully reviews your medical history and symptoms. They also do a physical exam, and they could recommend additional tests like an MRI or diagnostic injections.
Based on the site and severity of your condition, your expert at NovaSpine Pain Institute designs a personalized treatment plan to relieve the symptoms of degenerative disc disease.
Your personal treatment plan can include:
Your expert performs these minimally invasive pain management treatments right in the office at NovaSpine Pain Institute.
Don’t let crippling back pain interfere with the quality of your life. If you suspect you have degenerative disc disease, schedule an evaluation at NovaSpine Pain Institute by calling the nearest office today or using the online contact form.