Lumbar degenerative disc disease is a condition where age related wear and tear of a lumbar spinal disc makes it lose water and become flatter, stiffer, and less capable of absorbing stresses. The condition becomes painful when the degenerated disc causes abnormal movement in the spinal segment. Muscle spasms an inflammation or compression of a nearby nerve root. Most cases of degenerative disc disease can be managed with nonsurgical" treatments.
Applying an ice or cold pack to the low back reduces swelling around the inflamed nerves and numbs the nerves, providing immediate pain relief. Heat therapy applied to the low back can relieve muscle tension and spasms, improve blood flow to the area, and foster a healing environment.
Pain relieving medication such as acetaminophen. anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and medicated ointments help relieve painful flare ups of degenerative disc pain. Guided physical therapy and exercise programs that include stretching, strengthening, and aerobic conditioning rehabilitate the back muscles and spinal structures, which in turn improves posture and relieves pressure on the disc and surrounding nerves.
For some people, an epidural steroid injection may be recommended to manage chronic pain from degenerated discs. This type of injection consists of a steroid administered directly to the spine to reduce nerve inflammation and pain. Other nonsurgical treatments for degenerative disc disease include TENS therapy, massage therapy, manual manipulation, yoga, water therapy, back brace, ergonomic changes, and lifestyle changes.
Surgery may be an option for severe lumbar degenerative disc disease, symptoms that have not been relieved through non-surgical treatments. There are two main types of surgeries for treating lumbar degenerative disc disease.
A spinal fusion surgery is designed to treat pain by eliminating motion in the degenerated spinal segment. There are many approaches to spinal fusion. All forms of fusion surgery involve placing some type of bone graft in the spinal segment to foster bone growth between the two vertebrae, in order to form one long stable bone. This surgery aims to improve spinal stability and relieve nerve compression.
A lumbar artificial disc replacement surgery involves removing the entire damaged disc and replacing it with an artificial disc implant, which acts like a natural disc. This surgery aims to reduce pain by returning the disc space to a natural height and relieving nerve compression. Unlike a fusion surgery, this procedure maintains movement in the spine, similar to natural spinal movements.
For chronic pain from lumbar degenerative disc disease that has not been relieved by non-surgical or surgical treatments, spinal cord stimulation may be an option.A spinal cord stimulator is a small implanted device that delivers mild electric pulses to the nerves surrounding the spinal cord to interrupt pain signals from the spinal cord to the brain before implantation. A trial procedure is done to determine if nerve" stimulation effectively reduces pain. If the trial is successful, surgical implantation may be considered.
Finding the right treatment for lumbar degenerative disease is determined by a combination of factors, such as your specific symptoms, overall health, and personal preferences, and it may require trial and error to find what works best for you.
