Does Degenerative Disc Disease Cause Constant Back Pain?

According to Oregon Health and Science University, degenerative disc disease is a common condition occurring as you age. It is the most common form of arthritis. Degeneration can be explained as the deterioration of the tissue or cartilage between vertebrae in the back, neck and lumbar area of your body.

Significance

Degenerative disc disease can cause damage to your nervous system. It can be a source of tremendous pain.

Causes

Injuries such as whiplash and injuries resulting from falls or heavy lifting may lead to degenerative disc disease.

Symptoms and Pain

If you have degenerative disc disease, you may experience pain in the center of your neck or back, or in the lumbar. Degenerative disc disease is not a source of constant pain, but pain is often induced by prolonged sitting or leaning forward.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will do a physical exam and most likely take X-rays and possibly Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans to determine if you have degenerative disc disease.

Treatment

The effects of degenerative disc disease cannot be reversed or cured. However, there are physical therapies such as warm-water therapy and medications such as Rituxan to relieve pain.

Surgery Is an Option

Surgical treatments used at Johns Hopkins Medicine include open-fusion techniques, minimally invasive fusion and motion stabilization with disc replacement, also known as arthroplasty.