Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease develops as the spinal discs that cushion the vertebrae gradually lose height, hydration, and flexibility over time. The result is pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the neck or lower back that can make routine activities like sitting for extended periods, bending, lifting, or twisting increasingly difficult to manage. While the condition is progressive, symptoms can often be addressed effectively without surgery through targeted, non-surgical treatment.
At Pain & Spine Physicians, our team provides advanced treatment options designed to reduce spine-related pain and restore daily function. Call us at (972) 350-0225 or contact us online to learn more about evaluation and treatment options.
Pain from Degenerative Disc Disease
Spinal discs act as shock absorbers between the bones of the spine. As they break down, it places added stress on surrounding joints, nerves, and soft tissue structures. Patients typically describe a persistent dull ache in the lower back or neck, with flare-ups triggered by movement or prolonged positioning. In cases where degeneration affects nerves near the disc, symptoms may extend into the hips or radiate into both legs or arms, depending on the spinal level involved.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Disc degeneration is a natural part of aging, as spinal discs begin losing hydration and resilience gradually over time. However, several factors can accelerate that process:
- Repetitive physical strain on the spine
- Prior injuries, including compression injuries from falls or accidents
- Prolonged sedentary habits or poor postural mechanics
- Genetic predisposition to faster disc breakdown
The condition cannot always be prevented, but identifying contributing factors early allows for a treatment approach that addresses both symptoms and the underlying stress on the spine.
Treatment Options for Degenerative Disc Disease
Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, improving mobility, and supporting spinal function through targeted, non-surgical approaches. At Pain & Spine Physicians, options include:
- Image-guided injections: Precisely placed injections that deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected area, reducing acute pain and improving mobility.
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): An advanced in-office procedure that uses controlled heat to interrupt pain signals from affected nerves.
- Physical therapy integration: Structured rehabilitation to strengthen supporting musculature and reduce mechanical stress on affected discs.
- Medication management: Targeted pharmaceutical support to manage acute pain flare-ups and improve comfort during recovery.
Treatment plans are built around each patient’s specific imaging findings, symptom severity, and functional goals. Pain & Spine Physicians does not use a one-size-fits-all protocol.
VIA Disc NP Allograft Therapy
For patients with pain from degenerative disc disease or discogenic pain, Pain & Spine Physicians offers VIA Disc NP Allograft therapy, which is an innovative, non-surgical treatment option that addresses disc degeneration at its source.
Unlike treatments that focus solely on managing symptoms, VIA Disc works to repair and restore damaged discs from within. The therapy uses micronized nucleus pulposus particulate combined with allogeneic tissue, which is delivered directly into the center of the affected intervertebral disc under X-ray guidance. The procedure is performed in-office with numbing medicine or sedation, and most patients require only a single treatment.
VIA Disc is indicated for chronic lower back pain caused by disc degeneration or discogenic pain, conditions in which disc breakdown leads to cracking, tearing, and progressive pain that can significantly limit daily function. Where other non-surgical approaches manage the resulting discomfort, VIA Disc targets the underlying disc damage directly.
Most patients notice meaningful improvement in pain levels within a few weeks of treatment. VIA Disc is covered by some insurance plans.
Why Patients Choose Pain & Spine Physicians
Degenerative disc disease requires a provider who can distinguish between disc-related pain and other contributing spinal conditions, then build a treatment plan precise enough to address the actual source. The physicians at Pain & Spine Physicians are all board-certified in pain medicine, and we focus on non-surgical alternatives that offer meaningful relief without the risks and recovery demands of traditional spine surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Degenerative Disc Disease Be Reversed?
The structural changes associated with disc degeneration are not reversible, as discs that have lost height and hydration do not fully regenerate. However, the symptoms associated with the condition can often be managed effectively with targeted treatment, and many patients achieve significant functional improvement without surgery.
What Activities Tend To Worsen Symptoms?
Prolonged sitting, bending, lifting, and twisting are the most commonly reported aggravating activities. Extended static postures can also increase discomfort by placing a sustained load on already-compromised disc structures.
How Is Degenerative Disc Disease Different From a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc occurs when the inner disc material pushes through the outer layer and presses on adjacent nerves, which is different from the breakdown of disc material over time. The two conditions can coexist, and distinguishing between them through imaging is an important part of developing an accurate treatment plan.
Speak With Pain & Spine Physicians About Your Spine Health
Degenerative disc disease does not have to mean living with persistent back or neck pain indefinitely. Targeted, non-surgical treatment can reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and slow the functional impact of disc degeneration, without the recovery demands of spine surgery.
To schedule an evaluation with Pain & Spine Physicians at the location nearest you, contact us online or call (972) 350-0225 today.