Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is the natural aging of your spinal discs. As you age, the soft discs between the bones of your spine break down, making twisting and bending more difficult and often painful.

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Associated conditions

In some cases, degenerative disc disease can cause or speed up the development of other spin conditions, including:

Adult scoliosis
Herniated disc
Osteoarthritis in the spine
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis

Treatment

Treatment for degenerative disc disease varies depending on the severity of your pain and how difficult it is for you to perform everyday activities.

1 / At-home treatment

Some people find relief with at-home treatments that can reduce pain for a short time. These options are not a long-term solution for treatment of severely degenerated discs. You may try low-impact physical activity (like swimming or walking), applying ice and heat to the area, traction, or stretching.

2 / Conservative treatment

Your primary care doctor may recommend conservative treatment if your pain continues. These options may include prescription medications, physical therapy, steroid injections, or radiofrequency neurotomy (an electric current that burns nerves to prevent them from sending pain signals to your brain).

3 / Surgical treatment

Most people don't need surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease. If your pain persists after trying other remedies, surgery may be a good option for you.

The type of surgery you undergo may vary, but most often, spinal decompression surgery is used to treat degenerative disc disease. Our specialists will help you decide which treatment option(s) will best meet your needs.

Prevention

Although everyone experiences degenerative disc disease to some extent as they age, there are way to prevent severe cases.

Maintain a healthy weight. Alongside your primary care doctor, you can create a plan for eating and physical activity that allows you to reach and maintain a healthy weight for your body.
Avoid or quit using tobacco products (including vaping). Nicotine lowers the supply of blood to your bones, which can weaken your spine.
Stay active. Core strength and flexibility can help to decrease the likelihood of developing severe symptoms.

Why choose University of Utah Neurosurgery Spine Group?

We are the destination for complex spine patients in the Mountain West. Our spine surgeons perform a high volume of procedures each year, and are both experienced and successful. We also publish our research findings for other physicians and surgeons to learn.

With the University of Utah Health Neurosurgery Spine Group, you will receive care from an experienced team of experts who are national leaders in spine surgery and train residents, fellows, and other physicians.