A degenerative spine diagnosis is fairly common in individuals over the age of 50. That’s because the spine wears down through the years and becomes susceptible to a wide range of conditions that can fall under the “degenerative spine” umbrella. This can include conditions affecting the joints in the spine (spinal osteoarthritis, bone spurs), conditions related to the spinal discs (degenerative disc disease, ruptured discs) and conditions related to the narrowing of passageways in the spine (spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis).

In many cases, individuals aren’t even aware that they have developed a degenerative spinal condition because no noticeable symptoms exist. However, when nerve compression is caused by a degenerative condition, it can result in pain, numbness, muscle spasms and tingling that can greatly affect an individual’s daily life.

Treatment options

If you receive a degenerative spine diagnosis, your physician will most likely try to create a treatment plan focused on conservative therapies that you can follow for several weeks or months. This can include physical therapy, pain and anti-inflammatory medications, hot/cold therapy, steroid injections and more.

Another option your physician might suggest is lifestyle changes designed to reduce the strain on your spine and improve your overall health. Some possibilities include:

• Losing weight
• Eliminating tobacco and alcohol use
• Using better posture
• Getting regular exercise
• Ending your participation in high-impact sports
• Avoiding frequent bending or lifting
• Improving your diet

What’s next when conservative treatment doesn’t work?

If conservative treatments and lifestyle adjustments don’t produce the desired results, you might want to consider having a free MRI review* at USA Spine Care to help determine if you are a candidate for minimally invasive compression or stabilization surgery to treat your degenerative spinal condition. We utilize a less than a 1-inch incision and muscle-sparing techniques that lead to a shorter recovery than traditional open spine operations.^

If you’ve received a degenerative spine diagnosis and are struggling to find symptom relief, contact USA Spine Care today to learn more about our outpatient procedures.

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