According to the research of a venerated institute, it is found that 5.5% of people are affected by degenerative disc diseases and 20% of those belong to thirty to forty years of age.

What is degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease is a condition in which the cushioning material inside spinal discs deteriorates. The result can be pain, numbness, and tingling. The word De+ generation refers to the reversal of the generation process, implying the breaking down of discs. The discs are harder as compared to the core. With increased age, each body loses its strength and follows a  parabola of degeneration. However, our spine surgeon in Mumbai suggests proper diet and exercise inclusion in lifestyle may considerably slow down this degenerative process

What role do discs play in the spine?

The discs are cushiony structures in between vertebrae. They support vertebrae, provide them nourishment, and flexibility for movement. Alternatively, they are also called shock absorbers.

What causes Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)?

Degenerative disc diseases are majorly caused due to two factors:

• Drying: The disc’s core content is a watery liquid. When this disc dries over time, the outer layer of the disk becomes harder and brittle and loses its flexibility, which makes it prone to crack.

Tear or Crack: Minor fractures develop in the disc, making it prone to wither and crush. That is how it causes another spinal deformity such as scoliosis and spondylolisthesis.

Names Of Spinal Disorders Caused Due to DDD

When the disc develops cracks, it may lead to the following consequences

• Disk prolapse
• bone spurs
• Vertebral crackling
• Adult Scoliosis
• Spondilothesis
• Spinal stenosis

What are the symptoms?

Some common symptoms of DDD are as:

• Pain that comes and goes
• Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
• Radial pain extending to buttocks and lower back
• Pain increase in certain postures
• Sitting, standing, and climbing difficulties

Diagnosis Of DDD

DDD is often confused with other spine disorders such as osteoarthritis and spondylolisthesis for common symptoms. However, our doctor, one of the best spine surgeons in Mumbai, conducts a series of tests to know in detail about pain intensity, problems caused due to it, and the duration for which the pain has persisted.

The doctors advise the following test reports to gauge the degeneration and its impact.

• x-ray
• Ct- scan
• MRI
• Radionuclide bone scan( RBC)
• Electromyogram (EMG)

Treatment

Usually, the health care provider provides conservative treatment approaches such as:

• Physical therapy: Including physiotherapy and muscle strengthening excersises.
• Medications: The doctor may provide non-steroidial infection in conjunction with other treatments to alleviate pain.
• Steroid injections: These injections are given exactly on the nerves or disc degeneration site to relieve nerve stress, thereby reducing pain and inflammation.
• Radiofrequency neurotomy: In this, low ampere electric currents stimulate nerves and increase brain-to-body nerve function.

However, in some cases when the degeneration has escalated, or its progression will require future surgery, the spine surgeon in Mumbai suggests spinal decompression surgery that includes:

• Discectomy
• Foraminotomy
• Osteophyte removal
• Laminectomy

The doctor may also suggest a fusion surgery to stabilize adjacent vertebrae into immobilizing unit structure. One spinal disorder may lead to another. So if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, visit Dr Akhil Tawari, the best spine surgeon in Mumbai for comprehensive treatment of your spine.