Thinning discs (degenerative disc disease) are a condition that occurs as a normal process of aging in which the discs between the vertebra in the spine begin to wear down, resulting in the bones rubbing against one another, causing pain and stiffness.
Thinning discs cannot be cured, but the condition should be treated to help slow degeneration. Complications of untreated thinning discs can be serious and may include:
- Back stiffness and loss of flexibility
- Bone spurs
- Spinal canal compression (myelopathy) which can compress the nerves
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Debilitating back pain
- Neck pain
- Herniated discs
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
All these complications can lead to loss of mobility and reduced quality of life.
What Are Symptoms of Thinning Discs?
Symptoms of thinning discs (degenerative disc disease) include pain in the back that:
- Comes and goes
- Tends to affect the lower back and neck
- Can extend to the arms and hands
- May radiate to the buttocks and thighs
- Can range from mild to severe and disabling
- Worsens when sitting or after bending, lifting, or twisting
- Causes weakness in the leg muscles or “foot drop,” which can be a sign of damage to the nerve root
What Causes Thinning Discs?
The wearing down of discs in the vertebrae causes pain and stiffness of thinning discs (degenerative disc disease). The discs in the spine have very little blood supply (they are considered avascular), so when discs are injured they are unable to repair themselves and they start to deteriorate.
Causes of disc degeneration include:
- Aging: discs dry out as people age
- Tears in the outer portion of the disc due to daily activities and sports
- Repetitive heavy lifting can result in small tears in the discs
- Injury
Smoking is a risk factor for thinning discs.
How Are Thinning Discs Diagnosed?
Thinning discs (degenerative disc disease) are diagnosed with a physical examination and patient history, and imaging tests such as:
- X-ray
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
What Is the Treatment for Thinning Discs?
Treatment for thinning discs (degenerative disc disease) involves strengthening the muscles that support the back and relieving symptoms, and may include:
- Home treatments
- Exercise
- Maintain a healthy weight/lose weight if overweight
- Modify activities that irritate the back
- Hot and cold therapy
- Don’t smoke
- Ergonomics
- Medications for pain and inflammation
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Chiropractic musculoskeletal treatments
- Epidural injections
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS)
- Ultrasound
- Acupuncture
- Behavioral therapy
- Surgery
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https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/degenerative-disc-disease
https://www.southeasttexasspine.com/blog/the-many-problems-that-can-develop-from-degenerative-disc-disease