Degenerative Disc Disease

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Throughout your life you have probably heard the terms bulging, herniated, or slipped disc. Another name for these conditions is degenerative disc disease. Our intervertebral discs are rubber spacer-like objects that reside between our spinal vertebrae and fulfill several vital functions.

First and foremost, our spinal discs act as shock absorbers, permitting our spinal vertebrae to absorb vertical or horizontal forces without knocking into one another and cracking. Without this shock absorbing capability, humans wouldn’t be able to engage in any moderately athletic activity; and our spinal vertebrae would also wear down extremely quickly—like a bone that’s missing all of its ligaments.

Spinal discs also act as spacers between the bones in our spine, reserving room for nerves to radiate outward from our spinal cord to our arms and legs. If we didn’t have this space between our vertebrae, our nerves would have nowhere to go.

As time goes by, our intervertebral discs lose their ability to hold water. Their spongy, cushioned texture starts to deflate or crack, pinching down on nerves and decreasing the shock absorption between our vertebrae. Unfortunately, this natural consequence of aging often results in excruciating pain and decreased spinal mobility.

Individuals with degenerative disc disease are more likely to develop the following co-occurring conditions:

Are you worried that your symptoms could signify degenerative disc disease? Dr. Frazier—spine surgeon, Harvard graduate, and published author on spine disorders—has over 20 years of surgical experience in resolving degenerated disc pain!

What are the Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease?

Although the word “degenerative” implies that Degenerative Disc Disease is a progressive disorder that will worsen over time, this is not strictly the case. Instead, Degenerative Disc Disease refers to the set of symptoms that result from the deterioration of a single intervertebral disc. Warning signs of degenerative disc disease may include:

Do these symptoms sound a little too familiar? Our board certified spine specialist, Dr. Frazier, has been recognized as a “Super Doctor” by the New York Times Magazine for his commitment to patient-first care. With Dr. Frazier’s expertise and compassionate care at your disposal, you can rest assured that the health of your spine lies in good hands!

What are the Treatments for Degenerative Disc Disease?

Before considering surgical options to repair a degenerated disc—and under normal, non-emergency circumstances—a qualified spine specialist will prescribe a combination of activity modifications and pain management techniques. These noninvasive interventions, which enable many individuals to avoid the need for surgery altogether, often include: Bed rest; non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory, or pain relievers to ease acute discomfort; at-home stretching exercises; or a regimen physical therapy or chiropractic care.

Individuals who suffer from severe degenerative disc disease and fail to witness satisfactory improvements in their condition after 6 months of conservative treatment may qualify for surgical intervention. In these rare instances, our Harvard-educated, board certified surgeon, Dr. Frazier, has over 20 years of surgical experience with DDD and may recommend:

Although these procedures represent three of the most common surgical interventions for degenerative disc disease, Dr. Frazier is skilled in the many nuances of orthopedic care. With nearly 20 years of surgical experience in providing outstanding patient outcomes and award-winning care, Dr. Frazier customizes each of his procedures to fit the medical and lifestyle needs of his patients.

Meet Dr. Daveed Frazier

Dr. Frazier is a Harvard-trained, board certified orthopedic spine surgeon. He’s held an academic appointment at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York’s SUNY Downstate. Dr. Frazier is also a respected lecturer, accomplished researcher, published author on spine disorders and treatment, and a consultant for several international spine companies.

After completing his undergraduate education at Brown University, Dr. Frazier attended Harvard Medical School, where he graduated cum laude. He completed a Harvard internship based at the New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston, MA, followed by a Harvard combined residency before becoming chief resident at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Degenerative Disc Disease

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