Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)

Description of a Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease refers to a syndrome in which a painful disc causes chronic pain. The condition generally starts in the disc space. A weakened intervertebral disc can create excessive motion in the adjoining vertebral level because the disc cannot hold the vertebral segment together as well as it used to. The excessive motion and the inflammation inside the exposed disc irritate the local area and produce back pain.

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a gradual process that commonly compromises the lumbar spine. Degenerative changes in the lumbar spine often cause the loss of normal structure and/or function. The intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine are structures prone to the degenerative changes associated with wear and tear, aging, and misuse (e.g. smoking).

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is much less common in the cervical spine than in the lumbar spine because there is substantially less torque and force across the cervical spine. Sometimes, however, there is a twisting injury to the disc space that starts the degenerative cascade of degenerative disc disease and leads to chronic neck pain.

Surgical Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease

Arthroscopic Laser Discectomy

The portion of the disc that is causing nerve compression can effectively be removed through a small incision. With the patient awake, a needle is placed into the area of the disc that is producing symptoms. A small incision is made on the patient’s back and the endoscopic tube is inserted.

Using specially adapted endoscopic instruments the diseased disc material is removed and then a laser vaporizes the surrounding problem tissue. A laser is then used to shrink and remodel the remaining disc. A small dressing is used to cover the incision.

Often patients feel immediate relief following this procedure. Rehabilitation begins within hours of surgery, and involves gait training, back or neck support, and walking.