A degenerative spine is a condition whereby the structures of the spine, including the disc, joints and ligaments, undergo degeneration. A certain level of spinal degeneration is an unfortunate and largely unavoidable product of the regular aging process. As we grow older, the makeup of our spinal anatomy gradually weakens, eventually leading to neck and back stiffness, less flexibility and mobility and more aches and pains. At the center of this degeneration are two integral pieces of the spinal puzzle — the facet joints and spinal discs. To learn more about this degenerative condition and the treatments available to move you forward on the road to recovery, read the following article.

Understanding your spinal degeneration

Facet joints operate similarly to a hinge. Each vertebra has a symmetrical set facing upward and downward and these facets interlock to form joints. Facet joints are surrounded by a thick lubricating liquid and coated with cartilage to help the bones to articulate against one another. The result is a spine which is stable enough to support much of the body’s weight while allowing flexion, extension and the pivoting ability required from the neck and back.

Meanwhile, the spinal discs are spongy pads that cushion the vertebrae and act as the body’s shock absorbers. These pads bear the brunt of the stress put on the body and allows further flexibility. When functioning correctly, these structures work together and are often taken for granted. The facet joints and spinal discs are also particularly prone to wear as a result of trauma, normal aging or disease.

Discs can become thinned, herniated, ruptured, bulged, protruded, prolapsed or otherwise damaged, leading to pain and neurological symptoms. Likewise, facet joints can become worn down and arthritic, causing stiffness and other symptoms such as localized pain or radiating pain into the extremities as well as numbness and tingling in the spine.

To better understand the causes, symptoms and treatments of a degenerative spine, USA Spine Care has assembled some helpful articles, including:

• What Type of Doctor Treats a Degenerative Spine?
• What Other Problems Can a Degenerative Lumbar Spine Create?
• What Does Degeneration of the Spine Mean?
• Is Standing or Sitting Better for a Degenerative Spine?
• When Is Surgery Recommended for Degenerative Spine?
• Are Injections Effective for Degenerative Spine?
• What Does It Mean to Have a Degenerative Spine?
• Is Spinal Degeneration Normal?
• Can Degeneration of the Spine Be Reversed?
• Three Common Causes of a Degenerative Spine
• What Is Degeneration of the Lumbar Spine?
• 5 Daily Stretches for a Degenerative Spine
• Four At-home Treatments for a Degenerative Spine
• Six Exercises to Avoid When You Have a Degenerative Spine
• Seven Yoga Poses That Can Help Treat a Degenerative Spine
• What Are the Most Common Causes of a Degenerative Spine?
• How Do They Diagnose Degenerative Lumbar Spine?
• Can acupuncture treat a degenerative spine?
• How does a doctor determine you need surgery for your degenerative spine?
• Can losing weight help to treat a degenerative spine?
• What is the recovery time after surgery for a degenerative spine?
• Degenerative disc in the spine
• Degenerative arthritis of the spine
• Degenerative spine changes
• Degenerative spine nonsurgical treatment vs surgery — which do you need?
• Signs of a degenerative spine you must not ignore
• 5 exercises commonly used as degenerative spine treatment
• 5 ways to ease degenerative spine pain
• Common causes of a degenerative spine
• Three common misconceptions for degenerative spine surgery
• What you need to know about degenerative spine treatment
• Ten degenerative spine surgery alternatives
• Six tips for traveling with a degenerative spine
• Five common degenerative spine treatment options
• Three questions to ask before degenerative spine surgery
• A complete guide to degenerative spine treatment
• Eight common symptoms of a degenerative spine
• Four common degenerative spine treatments
• How long does it take to recover from degenerative spine surgery?
• Four common misconceptions of a degenerative spine
• Four tips for slowing down degenerative spine disorders
• Three things you should know if you’re considering degenerative spine surgery
• Four questions you should ask your doctor about conservative treatment for your degenerative spine condition
• Four questions to ask your doctor before considering degenerative spine surgery as a treatment option
• When is degenerative spine surgery the best treatment option?
• When is surgery for a degenerative spine necessary?
• The Causes of a Degenerative Spine in the Neck
• How to Tell if Your Symptoms Are From a Degenerative Spine
• Four Activities to Avoid When You Have a Degenerative Cervical Spine
• Five Symptoms of a Degenerative Spine in the Lower Back
• Can Genetics Worsen Degenerative Spine Symptoms?
• Two Reasons Your Genetics May Be Contributing to Your Degenerative Spine
• Seven Lifestyle Changes After Being Diagnosed with a Degenerative Spine
• Four Tips to Improve Your Sleep with a Cervical Degenerative Spine
• Five Alternative Treatments for a Degenerative Spine
• Three Common Degenerative Spine Conditions
• What Medications Can Help Alleviate Pain for a Degenerative Spine?
• What Are Alternative Treatments for a Degenerative Spine?
• Can Massage Therapy Be Used to Treat a Degenerative Spine?
• Can Degenerative Spine Disease Be Cured?
• What Type Of Doctor Treats Degenerative Spine?
• Can a Degenerated Spine Heal on Its Own?
• What Are Degenerative Changes in the Spine?

Surgical options for relieving a degenerative spine

If you are experiencing pain from a degenerative spine condition and have yet to find relief from conservative treatments like medication and physical therapy, contact USA Spine Care. We can help you learn about the minimally invasive spine surgery we perform to treat chronic neck and back pain. Our surgeons can relieve pain from problematic discs or joints, reducing the risks and long recovery of traditional open back surgery.^

The procedures performed at USA Spine Care include minimally invasive decompression and stabilization surgery that is performed on an outpatient basis using a small muscle-sparing incision. Reach out to our dedicated team today for a no-cost review of your MRI report or CT scan,* and for more information on the treatments available for a degenerative spine. We can evaluate your condition to see if you are a potential candidate for one of our minimally invasive degenerative spine procedures.

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