Your spine has to support the whole weight of your head, as well as serving as the connection between your limbs and the nerve centers of your brain. It's relatively easy for something to go wrong in your spine. Spinal problems have the potential to cause serious symptoms like back pain and progressive debilitation.
Even though it serves so many key biological functions, your spine is made up of many delicate parts. Some of the most vulnerable parts of your spine are the small, circular discs that cushion your vertebral bones. You need these discs to help your spine absorb shocks and maintain a full and easy range of motion.
Many people suffer from degenerative disc disease (DDD) as a part of the aging process. Our team of experts at South Texas Spinal Clinic support new and existing patients dealing with degenerative spinal conditions.
As the word “degenerative” in the name of DDD implies, the condition can develop many potential complications over time. Spinal problems can worsen in several ways.
If you suffer from progressing DDD, you can develop complications including:
Once a disc starts to degenerate, it shows small tears. Discs can later harden, or lose stability completely. Watch out for symptoms like increasing pain or numbness, trouble with movement, and loss of bladder or bowel control, which are signs you should seek immediate medical care.
When you live with pain as a result of DDD, your quality of life diminishes. As you lose mobility and increasingly experience debilitating pain, getting enough exercise or just getting out of the house grows increasingly difficult.
If you lose access to regular exercise and activity, your whole-body health and wellness rapidly deteriorate. You could experience worsening pain, increasing immobility, depression, and an increased risk of blood clots in your legs.
Instead of allowing your DDD to worsen and develop into increasingly serious and limiting complications, seek medical care and support. Our experts at South Texas Spinal Clinic can diagnose your spinal issue or back pain and recommend the best course of treatment to resolve your symptoms and improve your condition.
Depending on the nature and progression of your spinal issues, our team can recommend a variety of treatment options. You might benefit from IV medication to reduce pain and swelling. Traction, using a system of weights to control pressure on your bones or muscles, can also help relieve DDD. We might suggest physical therapy, or, for cases that don't improve with conservative treatment, surgical intervention to resolve the issue.
To consult with a member of the South Texas Spinal Clinic team about your DDD, give us a call today. Our convenient offices are located throughout the San Antonio and South Texas area. You can schedule your initial appointment over the phone or request an appointment online.
