Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disease is deterioration and loss of height of the disc due to loss of hydration and tears in the disc. It can lead to pain anywhere along the spine but most often in the neck or lower back. It can also lead to pain radiating down the arms or legs along with numbness, pins and needles, and weakness. This type of pain usually gets worse very slowly over time.
Disc degeneration is a common ‘wear and tear” phenomenon that occurs with aging. The pain usually occurs when there is some leakage of inflammatory substances from the inside of the disc which irritate the nearby nerve roots. It can also lead to some instability.
Dr.Rousseau is very familiar with treating degenerative disc disease. After reaching a diagnosis through the usual methods of a history and physical exam and diagnostic imaging, he offers a variety of treatment options. These include education on self-care practice and lifestyle modifications, epidural steroid injections, and referral to physical therapists and other spine specialists, if appropriate.