About Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
Lumbar degenerative disc disease is a common experience in which one or more intervertebral discs cushioning the vertebra is damaged and bulges out of its usual location. “Disease” may be a misnomer since most people have some degree of degeneration in their discs. This bulging increases local pressure and the damaged tissue releases inflammatory mediators to the surrounding area.
Naturally, these discs lose elasticity and generally deteriorate with age, leading to a degenerative syndrome of the intervertebral discs. Bulging of these discs compresses nerve roots traveling through the narrow passages between vertebra to distal structures, and will cause pain in the compressed nerve locations and towards their respective destinations.
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About Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
Lumbar degenerative disc disease is a common experience in which one or more intervertebral discs cushioning the vertebra is damaged and bulges out of its usual location. “Disease” may be a misnomer since most people have some degree of degeneration in their discs. This bulging increases local pressure and the damaged tissue releases inflammatory mediators to the surrounding area.
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Naturally, these discs lose elasticity and generally deteriorate with age, leading to a degenerative syndrome of the intervertebral discs. Bulging of these discs compresses nerve roots traveling through the narrow passages between vertebra to distal structures, and will cause pain in the compressed nerve locations and towards their respective destinations.
PAIN AT THE SITE OF THE INJURY
PAIN, NUMBNESS, OR TINGLING IN THE ARMS OR LEGS
PAIN IS WORSE WHEN BENDING, TWISTING, AND/OR SITTING
LYING DOWN RELIEVES PRESSURE ON THE SPINE
How is Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease managed?
The management of lumbar degenerative disc disease primarily involves limiting the symptomatic presentation. Degenerative disc disease is not a dangerous illness, but neither is it curable. A combination of physical therapy, pain medication, and lifestyle changes will usually be necessary to achieve optimal relief.
How is Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease managed?
The management of lumbar degenerative disc disease primarily involves limiting the symptomatic presentation. Degenerative disc disease is not a dangerous illness, but neither is it curable. A combination of physical therapy, pain medication, and lifestyle changes will usually be necessary to achieve optimal relief.
How is Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease diagnosed?
Your doctor will likely order an x-ray to get a better view of your back, but a CT or MRI scan may be required for better visualization.
Your provider will need to order your doctor will likely order an x-ray to get a better view of your back, but a CT scan may be required for better visualization. The intervertebral discs show up relatively poorly on x-ray, but CT allows for the visualization of cracks in the bone and slippage.
How is Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease diagnosed?
Your doctor will likely order an x-ray to get a better view of your back, but a CT or MRI scan may be required for better visualization.
Your provider will need to order your doctor will likely order an x-ray to get a better view of your back, but a CT scan may be required for better visualization. The intervertebral discs show up relatively poorly on x-ray, but CT allows for the visualization of cracks in the bone and slippage.
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The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only. Dr. Paul makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained on or available through this web site, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this website with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.
Dr. Paul does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any specific tests, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, health care providers or other information that may be contained on or available through this web site. DR. PAUL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS WEB SITE. www.paulspine.com/legal/disclaimer.
Individuals’ outcomes may depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to patient characteristics, disease characteristics and/or surgeon experience.
All logos and names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
©2024 Ronjon Paul MD. All rights reserved.
Disclosures & Important Information
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only. Dr. Paul makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained on or available through this web site, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this website with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.
Dr. Paul does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any specific tests, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, health care providers or other information that may be contained on or available through this web site. DR. PAUL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS WEB SITE. www.paulspine.com/legal/disclaimer.
Individuals’ outcomes may depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to patient characteristics, disease characteristics and/or surgeon experience.
All logos and names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
©2024 Ronjon Paul MD. All rights reserved.