Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) – What You Need to Know
If you’re considering undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative disc disease, you should know that the treatment for this condition depends on the stage of the disease. This article explains what this disease is, how to treat it, the four stages of the disease, and when it’s time to seek surgery.
What is lumbar degenerative disease?
Lumbar DDD is a condition where discs become worn down over time. This condition can cause a range of symptoms, including pain in the back or leg. The symptoms can be aggravated by movement or position. Extensive activity can make symptoms worse, but flexion and extension may alleviate pain. In cases where symptoms are severe, surgery may be required. Surgical procedures may include removing the affected disc or performing an interbody fusion, which involves fusing the vertebrae above and below the disc. Fortunately, many of these procedures are now performed with minimally invasive procedures, which can help the patient recover more quicker.
Physical therapy can help people with degenerative disc disease reduce pain. Physical therapists can teach proper lifting techniques, stretch the muscles in the back, leg, and stomach, and help patients improve their flexibility. Pain medications may also be used.
How do you fix lumbar degenerative disc disease?
Degenerative disc disease is a progressive process that weakens the back’s structures. It typically affects women more than men and can result in numbness in the legs and arms. The condition usually worsens when a person is bending or sitting for long periods. It is an inevitable part of aging, though not everyone will experience the pain and symptoms that accompany the disease.
If a patient is suffering from degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine, a physician should report the condition using the correct ICD-10 code. This code can be used to identify the exact location of the degeneration. In the past, degenerative disc disease was coded as 722.6, but the new codes require a much higher level of specificity. This is important because the degeneration level of the site must be clearly defined if a physician wants to prescribe a treatment.
What are the 4 stages of degenerative disc disease?
Lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a progressive condition that compromises the spinal cord, discs, and bones. The degeneration of these structures results in the loss of their normal function and structure. The intervertebral disc is one of the structures most susceptible to these changes. Several factors can cause these changes, including aging, misuse, and excessive weight bearing.
Lumbar disc degeneration may manifest itself as a herniated disc. The condition can also manifest itself as a narrowing of the spinal canal, nerve root canal, or intervertebral foramina. The resulting loss of disc space height increases stress on the facet joints and can lead to arthrosis and osteoporosis.
When does degenerative disc disease need surgery?
If you’re suffering from degenerative disc disease of the back or neck, your doctor may recommend surgery to relieve your pain. Surgery can remove the damaged disc, relieve pressure on a pinched nerve, and eliminate movement between the bones of the spine. This surgical procedure is called a Discectomy. It involves the removal of an injured disc. This relieves pressure on a nerve and improves your quality of life.
In some cases, surgery may be required to remove a herniated or bulging disc. The procedure involves making a small incision in your neck and inserting a new disc to replace the damaged one. The replacement disc stabilizes the spine and allows normal movement without pain. However, this surgery is not appropriate for all patients with degenerative disc disease. The procedure does have some risks, including spinal cord fluid leakage and new disc problems. There is a five percent risk that the replacement disc will herniate.
What is L4 L5 degenerative disc disease?
One of the most common causes of lower back pain is a disc problem in the L4-L5 spinal segment. These discs can degenerate and bulge, impinging on the sciatic nerve that exits the spinal column. This is a painful condition that usually requires medical treatment.
The pain that this condition causes may be mild or severe, depending on the location of the disease. Mild cases involve pain in the lower back and buttocks. The more severe form may lead to numbness or weakness in one or both legs. The condition can also lead to partial paralysis.
