Degenerative disc disease is a condition characterized by a loss of disc height when discs “wear down” as a result of normal wear and tear. Invertebral discs are the gel-like cushions that separate each segment (vertebra) of the backbone or spine. Degenerative disc disease can result in pain and stiffness in the neck and/or back, as well as pain that spreads to the back of the head, trunk, shoulders, arms, hands, legs and feet.

Degenerative disc disease is actually a condition, not a disease and symptoms can get progressively worse over time. However, in most cases, the condition stabilizes and symptoms gradually improve with proper treatment.

Treatment of degenerative disc disease ranges from conservative therapies to surgical procedures. The treatment goals that Dr. Linehan and the medical professionals at Precision Pain Care have are to relieve pain, prevent or reduce disc stress, and maintain normal function.

An epidural steroid injection can be used to relieve pain associated with degenerative disc disease. In some cases, when conservative treatments fail to adequately reduce the pain associated with degenerative disc disease and surgical correction (often requiring fusion) is not an option, spinal cord stimulation may be an effective alternative treatment option.

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