Degenerative Disc Disease Specialist

Texas Pain Intervention Clinic

Ankit Maheshwari, MD

Interventional Pain Management located in McKinney, TX

Degenerative disc disease is a natural occurrence that comes with aging. As we age, one or more of the discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column deteriorate, which may sometimes lead to pain. The discs between the vertebrae allows room for flexing and bending of the back, however, with time, or sometimes due to an injury, they become worn out which may lead to chronic pain.

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Degenerative Disc Disease Q & A

What is degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain that is caused by wear-and-tear of the intervertebral disc. As we age, the spinal discs lose their natural hydration and can develop tears in the cartilage. Discs are akin to shock absorbers of the spine. Common symptoms of the condition include pain that is worse when sitting, lifting and bending, bouts of severe pain that come and go, and if a nerve is pinched this can also cause numbness in the extremities.

What causes degenerative disc disease?

DDD is a common aspect of the aging process sometimes accelerated by previous injury. The exact reason why the joints of the spine begin to wear out is not known and may be a combination of factors such heavy lifting, aging, or an injury to the spine. At Texas Pain Intervention Clinic, we diagnose this condition based on history, examination and advanced imaging of the spine.

Degenerative disc disease treatment options?

Disc related pain may subside with time but can sometimes take years. Disc degeneration when accompanied with specific MRI changes called Modic changes is an independent predictor of back pain. This condition can be challenging to treat without utilizing interventional treatments. Surgery, when it is done for discogenic back pain has a high chance of failure. At Texas Pain Intervention Clinic, we provide a broad spectrum of individualized treatment options which include physical therapy, medication management, and therapeutic injections. These injections could include epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, ablations and regenerative therapies.