Common Degenerative Spinal Health Issues

What Are Degenerative Spinal Health Conditions?

Some have said that time is the enemy of the body. In the case of degenerative spinal health, this is undoubtedly true.

General aging and day-to-day wear and tear of your joints are perfectly normal. But over time, this process can lead to painful neck and back conditions that significantly affect your daily life.

Keep reading to learn about the most common degenerative diagnosis, symptoms of this type of condition, and what to expect when you visit your doctor.

Slipped or Herniated Discs

If you were to count all of the vertebrae in your spine, you would see that there are thirty-three. Between some of them, there are cushions made from cartilage called discs. Over time, wear from use or injury can cause the inner layer of the disc to rupture or herniate. The disc can slip out of place in other instances, reducing your range of motion and increasing pain.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal starts to narrow. Generally, this happens over time due to disc herniation, small joint enlargement, repeated injury, and more. Spinal stenosis is most common in the neck or lower back.

Osteoarthritis

Additionally, osteoarthritis is a severe degenerative spinal condition to be aware of. It happens when the cartilage at the spinal joints begins to break down due to wear, overuse, or other health conditions.

Symptoms of Degenerative Conditions

Pain is pain, right? Not always. Degenerative conditions are different from injuries sustained in an accident or those due to a specific event. While they can cause discomfort, they generally evolve over time, making it important to see a doctor if you suspect their presence.

Common symptoms include:

• Limited range of motion
• Sudden pain that worsens or chronic pain
• Pain with movement
• Visual spinal deformation
• Nerve injuries like sensory loss or overall weakness

Diagnosis of Spinal Conditions

Definitively diagnosing degenerative spine conditions usually involves medical tests like X-rays and MRIs. With those images, your spine doctor can identify inconsistencies or apparent areas where wear or degradation of cartilage has happened.

Experienced Orthopedic Care in Illinois

At Fox Valley Orthopedics, we know that you are too busy to slow down for neck and back pain. That’s why we offer numerous non-invasive treatments to help you live a pain-free life. Please call us at (630) 584-1400 today to schedule an appointment.