Lumbar Degenrative Disc Diseases

Degeneration is a natural breakdown of any structure due to continuous wear and tear. The intervertebral disc is present between any two spinal vertebrae. This intervertebral disc acts as a shock absorber during the moments and protects the spine against stressful activities like running, weight lifting, or jumping.

When degenerative changes take place which damages the disc cause back pain or spinal pain. The degeneration in the back at the lower position or at the lumbar spine, mainly because of wear and tear, causes pain to the lower spinal bones / lower back.

Causes

Dryness of the disc, our disc is mostly made by water content but as your age grows the disc starts dry and loses the water content, and becomes thin
Break or rupture in the disc or slip disc
Degeneration with age

Symptoms

Pain in the lower back
Pain in the buttocks and thighs
Pain increases with sitting and walking
Pain becomes worse in bending forward and in weight lifting
Numbness and tingling sensations in the thighs and legs
Tenderness on the lower back

Diagnosis

Physical examination by your doctor and your medical history will help your doctor to make a diagnosis
X-ray is the primary investigation that shows the bones clearly and space between the spinal bones
MRI or CT scan may prescribe for more specification
If there is nerve compression then a nerve conduction test is performed

Treatment

Conservative:
- Medications prescribed by your doctor to reduce pain
  
  Heat and ice therapy to relax the muscles and improve the flexibility
  
  Physiotherapy exercises are also helpful, Muscle strengthening exercises, manual manipulation therapy, and massage
  
  Steroid injections to reduce the pain and inflammation
Surgery When conservative treatments fail and pain increases regularly then surgical treatment is required.
- Discectomy (removal of part of the disc which compressing the nerves)
- Replacing the degenerated disc with an implant or artificial disc
- The fusion of the disc