Degenerative disc disease is the age-related breakdown of the discs between your vertebrae. It is a common cause of chronic back and neck pain, but it does not have to define your life.
Discs gradually lose water content and become less supportive with age. When that happens, nearby structures pick up the slack, and pain can show up in the back, buttock, neck, or shoulder.
A stepped, non-surgical plan usually keeps patients comfortable and active. The goal is to treat what is painful today while supporting long-term spine health.
DDD has a recognizable pattern. Knowing the symptoms helps us plan the right care.
We focus on quieting flares, building long-term tolerance, and avoiding surgery when possible.
A targeted block of the small nerves supplying the facet joints, often inflamed as discs lose height. Brings relief for the back pain layer of DDD.
Controlled heat quiets those same nerves for six to twelve months. Ideal for patients who respond well to diagnostic blocks.
A targeted injection that calms inflammation around nerve roots irritated by disc changes. Useful for flares that include arm or leg symptoms.
When pain is coming from the endplates of a specific disc, the Intracept procedure targets the basivertebral nerve to provide lasting relief.
Call us for new weakness, bladder or bowel changes, saddle numbness, or severe pain after trauma. These signal a problem that needs urgent evaluation.
No. It is a common, expected part of aging, much like gray hair. Many people have DDD on imaging without significant pain. When pain does show up, it usually responds well to treatment.
Most patients never do. A combination of targeted injections, Intracept when indicated, and ongoing physical activity keeps most people out of the operating room.
Yes. Strength training, walking, and core-focused work all support a painful back. We coordinate with physical therapy to tailor activities to your current pain level.