Degenerative Disc Disease Condition Center

Definition and Diagnosis

Degenerative Disc Disease and Low Back Pain

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a gradual wear and tear process on the spine. DDD is relatively common because it’s a natural part of aging. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, and the condition doesn’t always require treatment.

• Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease Spine - Video
• Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine
• Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorders
• Guide to Degenerative Diseases of the Cervical Spine
• Lumbar Herniated Disc
• Spinal Stenosis: Lumbar and Cervical
• Aging Spine: Older Doesn't Mean More Painful
• Osteoarthritis: Degenerative Spinal Joint Disease

Diagnostic Steps

• Neurology Basics: Neurological Exams
  The neurological examination, along with a detailed mechanical examination (movement of the arms, legs, and trunk), can greatly help the physician in making the correct diagnosis.
• Diagnostic Tools: X-Ray, Bone Scan, MRI, CT Scan
• Getting the Most from Your Visit to a Spine Specialist - Video
• Spinal Anatomy Index

Non-Surgical Treatment

Coping with Back Pain: What Works?

The Cleveland Clinic explains treatments to help patients cope with back pain.

• Spine Centers: An Attractive Option for Patients
• Prescription Medications and You
• Medication and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain
• Drugs Used to Treat Pain: Opioids - Narcotics
• Prescription Drugs for Back and Neck Pain
• Back on Track - Video
• Spinal Bracing
• Epidural Steroid Injections: Are They Useful?
• Nerve Blocks: Medication Injections
• Spinal Injection / Nerve Block Therapies for Back Pain
• Visit to a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
• Chiropractic Index
• I Still Have Back Pain! Now What?
• Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Can Physical Therapy Help Me?
• Physical Therapy: TENS, Ultrasound, Heat and Cryotherapy
• Physical Therapy - Evaluation and Treatment for Back Pain

Surgical Solutions

Spine Surgery: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are scheduled to have spinal surgery, one way to relieve your anxiety about the procedure is to learn all you can about the procedure.

• Surgery: Should I or Shouldn't I?
• Anesthesia - Questions and Answers
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: The Benefits

Surgical Procedures

• Cervical Spine Surgery: An Overview
  What is the purpose of cervical surgery? This article will help you prepare for cervical surgery and outline the reasons for having it.
• New Technologies in Anterior Cervical Spine Fixation
• Robotics and Computers in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
• Artificial Disc Replacement
• Pain Management Techniques to Help Conquer Back and Neck Pain
• DISC Nucleoplasty Percutaneous Discectomy
• What Should I Know About Lumbar Spinal Fusion?
• Spine Cages Help to Restore Correct Spinal Alignment
• Lumbar Laminectomy
• Decompressive Lumbar Laminectomy
• Bone Grafts: No Longer Just a Chip Off the Ol' Hip
• Spine Specialists On-Call: Biologic Materials -- Dawn of a New Era in Spine Surgery
• Advancements in Biotechnology and Gene Therapy
• Minimally Invasive TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Information Center

Video Presentations

• Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease Spine - Video
  This Spine Chat discusses surgical solutions to degenerative disc disease. Dr. Robert Heary is interviewed by Jeremy Longhurst.
• Artificial Discs: Spine Chat Video
• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with Anterior Cervical Plate Fixation
• Lumbar Laminotomy and Microdiscectomy Video
• Spinal Stenosis Surgery Video
• Video Index - Complete list of on-site video

Post-Operative Care

• What is Post-Operative Care?
  Post-operative recovery starts in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). This unit is dedicated to meet the patient’s needs thereby minimizing post-operative complications.
• Pain Control after Surgery - Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)
• Surgical Wound Care: Questions and Answers
• Recovery from Lumbar Fusion Surgery
• Discharge Instructions After Spine Surgery

Recovery

Surgery Recovery: From Hospital to Home

After any surgical procedure, the body needs times to restore damaged tissues and return to normal. The first part of recovery begins in the hospital.

• Cigarette Smoking and its Impact on Spinal Fusions
• Back Care and Standing Work
• Use Good Body Mechanics to Help Keep Your Spine Safe
• Mattresses Matter: Ergonomic Guidelines
• Fall Prevention Benefits All Age Groups
• Ergonomics - Take Steps Towards Prevention
• Medical Errors and How to Avoid Them
• Exercise to Optimize Outcome in Low Back Pain
• Back Pain and Obesity
• Preventing Injuries at Work
• Fitting Fitness into Your Busy Schedule
• Simple Ways to Prevent the Onset of Low Back Pain
• Exercise and Wellness Index
• Diet and Nutrition Index