Both degenerative disc and spinal stenosis disease affect the spine. They can cause back pain and leg pain. However, these conditions differ in their causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, while distinct, share a connection through the intricate anatomy of the spine. The spine is a support structure, facilitating movement and safeguarding vital components like the spinal cord and nerves. However, as we age, the shock absorbers in the spine, known as discs, may undergo wear and tear.
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
The gradual deterioration of these discs characterizes degenerative disc disease. Like jelly donuts, discs have an outer layer (annulus) and an inner jelly (nucleus pulposus). The annulus, rich in nerve fibers, can lead to back pain if it bulges or tears. Additionally, disc degeneration can contribute to spinal stenosis when the crust compresses the central canal.
Degenerative disc disease can result from age, daily activities, injuries, and disc drying. This condition may lead to arthritis in the spine’s joints, known as facet arthropathy, causing varying degrees of pain.
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
This condition often occurs in the lower back and neck. Patients with spinal stenosis may experience relief by bending forward, a phenomenon termed the “shopping cart sign.”
Spinal stenosis, influenced by age, daily activities, and injuries, manifests as central canal narrowing. Causes include herniated discs, osteoarthritis-related bone spurs, and degenerative disc change.
Treatment options for Degenerative Disc and Spinal Stenosis Diseases
Fortunately, various treatment options exist for managing the pain associated with these conditions. Medication, physical therapy, acupuncture, and surgery are among the possibilities. For degenerative disc disease, treatments may include artificial disc replacement and facet joint interventions like radiofrequency ablation.
Treatment options for spinal stenosis range from epidural steroid injections to minimally invasive decompression procedures like Vertiflex and open surgical decompression. Seeking professional advice is crucial for tailoring treatment options to the individual’s diagnosis.
Relieve Your Pain Today with Expert Pain Specialists
If you are suffering from back pain or leg pain that interferes with your daily activities, you may have spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease. At Interventional SpineSpecialists of Florida, we have a team of board-certified pain physicians who can help you find the best solution for your spinal condition and offer spinal stenosis treatment in Boca Raton. Contact us today to talk to an experienced pain specialist.
