Degenerative disc disease treatment may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, or a combination of both, medications, surgery, losing weight, and special exercises. It is an age-related condition that occurs when one or more of the discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column wear and tear, causing pain. Degenerative disc disease cannot heal on its own. Many degenerative disc disease treatments focus on reducing symptoms. Everyone's spinal discs degenerate over time and are a normal part of aging. Some people experience more severe or longer-lasting symptoms than others.
Degenerative disc disease can be also managed with the help of anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and the controversial epidural steroid injection. The disease requires multiple treatments from one month to several months, to years. Although these treatments can relieve symptoms, the degenerative disc disease treatment is useful only if it can be maintained over a long period. It is most common in older adults. It is considered a normal part of aging, just as skin wrinkles and gray hair are. It is a set of symptoms that can result from acute spinal trauma or from the slow wear and tear of several spinal discs over time.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, in the United States, around 40% of US adults aged 40 years have at least one degenerated disc, increasing to 80% among those aged 80 and more. The right treatment can lead to pain relief and increased mobility. The patient may require surgery, physical therapy, and/or medications. While surgery might be recommended to remove the protruding discs, physical therapy can help to protect and strengthen the spinal disc. Medications, including pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and steroidal injections help reduce the constant nagging pain and symptoms.
It is most commonly seen in the geriatric population and has caused lower back pain and neck pain in adults. Degenerative disc disease is diagnosed with physical examination, through X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Depending on the level of pain, it can be treated with two common procedures which are spinal fusion and non-surgical. Non-surgical treatments include chiropractic care, physical therapy, and medications. While spinal fusion is used to surgically treat degenerative disc disease.