Comprehensive Degenerative Disc Treatment Services

Degenerative disc disease pain may happen when you are in your golden years, or you could develop it at a younger age. The condition is usually age-related, so it is more common as people get older, and the discs endure regular wear and tear. Spinal trauma can also cause or worsen a herniated disc. The symptoms of this spinal condition include chronic low-level back pain with intermittent episodes of severe pain. With disc deterioration may come with other symptoms in the arms and legs, such as numbness, weakness, and hot, shooting pains. Patients commonly develop degenerative disc disease in the neck and lower back. These areas are the most vulnerable to degenerating discs, and they experience the most stress and motion in your spine.

Diagnosing degenerative disc disease takes experience and technology to determine a patient’s severity and the best treatment options. Greater Maryland Pain Management provides a timely and precise diagnosis. We review your entire medical history, perform a physical examination, and conduct various diagnostic procedures, including the following:

• X-ray – We use electromagnetic energy beams to produce images displaying your bones, organs, and other internal tissues. This imagery allows us to visually examine your discs and vertebrae.
• Myelogram – For this procedure, we inject dye into a patient’s spinal canal so that the structure is clearly visible on x-ray images.
• Electromyography – This diagnostic test measures a patient’s electrical activity and muscle response.
• Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) Scan – We combine computer technology and x-rays in this procedure to create horizontal and vertical cross-sectional images, called slices. These detailed images show bones, organs, muscles, fat, and other tissues with greater resolution than traditional x-rays.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – This procedure produces detailed images of patients’ internal structures using large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer.

Greater Maryland Pain Management takes many factors into account to determine how we treat various conditions, like degenerative disc disease. Our medical staff will consider your age, medical history, and overall health when determining degenerative disc treatment. We also factor in the extent and type of your condition, your tolerance for specific therapies, procedures, and medications, and your expectations. We also take your preference and opinion into account to ensure your comfort during treatment. Surgery is an option when more conservative measures fail to resolve your degenerative disc pain and other symptoms. When surgery is necessary, we may perform a discectomy, laminectomy, or lumbar fusion. The more conservative methods we will try beforehand include the following:

• Weight control
• Bed rest
• Physical therapy (including massage, exercise programs, or conditioning)
• Educating patients on proper body mechanics (to decrease the chance of pain and damage getting worse)
• Medications (to relax muscles and control pain)
• Using a lumbosacral back support
• Epidural steroid injections
• Discograms (to provide relief to painful discs without surgery)

When seeking degenerative disc disease treatment, you need a medical care provider with ample pain management experience and empathy for your suffering. Greater Maryland Pain Management cares about treating our patients. We use the best techniques and technology, including state-of-the-art imaging methods, such as fluoroscopy, to safely and accurately pinpoint the affected discs in your spine. After diagnosis, our caring staff uses our extensive knowledge and training to reduce or eliminate your pain and other symptoms while treating and resolving the damage to your discs. We may use a combination of conservative methods with a discogram to relieve your discomfort, and those simple changes and treatments may restore your spine to dependable and pain-free movement. Whether weight loss, medications, or surgery are necessary for your degenerative disc disease, reach out to Greater Maryland Pain Management for effective and compassionate medical care.