6 Misconceptions about Degenerative Disk Disease

As you get older, especially after the age of 40, it’s common for your spinal disks to start wearing down. Eventually this can lead to painful symptoms in your back or neck. But while it is a natural part of aging, there are a lot of mistaken beliefs about this condition, known as degenerative disk disease.

Before exploring these misconceptions, let’s first take a look at these disks. Think of them as rubbery cushions separating the vertebrae that make up your spinal column. Your disks keep these bones from rubbing against each other and work like shock absorbers as you walk, run, bend or twist.

When these disks begin their slow deterioration, it can lead to pain as the vertebrae rub and the gel-like material inside those disks oozes out to push against nerves in your spinal cord. The pain can range from mild to strong and:

• It may be intermittent, lasting for weeks or months.
• It may radiate down your lower back into your buttocks and legs.
• It may become more intense when you sit, bend or lift.

Now, let’s dispel some of the myths.

Surgery is the only treatment option. It’s certainly true that surgery is an option for disk problems. But treatment for your back will generally follow a course that starts with far more conservative measures. You may find relief through physical therapy exercises that strengthen your back and improve your flexibility. A range of anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications may also help. Steroid injections can remove pressure from affected nerves to provide pain relief. If these methods don’t produce satisfactory results, your doctor may suggest surgery.

A herniated disk means permanent disability. It may be easy to feel this way if you are dealing with the debilitating pain from a herniated (or ruptured) disk. The pain can make even the simplest of tasks – from getting out of a chair to walking across the room – seem insurmountable. But with modern advances in the way these conditions are treated, you have a good chance of returning to normal life and your favorite activities without permanent pain.

Sneezing can cause a herniated disk. This is more of a case of two things happening at the same time, rather than one causing the other. If you have degenerative disk disease, your disks are weaker – even if you don’t realize it. You may only become aware of it after some activity or event serves as the final straw. That could be bending over to pick up a sock, getting out of a chair or, even, sneezing.

If your back hurts, you need to rest until it’s better. This was once a common strategy for back injuries. But we have learned that total bed rest is not good for healing. You may feel better initially, but a long period of inactivity can make it worse. It’s more important to stay active with regular exercise and physical activity to keep your muscles strong. You don’t want to do anything that causes more pain. Instead, look for gentle activities that get you moving, without contributing to a flareup.

Disks can “slip” out of place. This is more an issue of semantics. The reality is that your disks are held firmly in place by a pair of ligaments in your spine. It would be virtually impossible for a disk to move out of its position. Instead, the term “slip” is often used to describe a disk that has become ruptured or bulged.

An MRI will pinpoint the root of your pain. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a valuable diagnostic tool. Your doctor can use the images – created by a computer and powerful magnets – to take a closer look at what’s happening with your spine. But it is only one piece of the equation. Diagnosing back pain is often a challenge that also requires X-rays, a physical exam and an exploration of your medical history.

If you are having lingering pain or discomfort in your back, there’s no advantage to waiting it out. The sooner you talk with your doctor, the sooner you can find out what’s happening and how you can make it better. Waiting only increases your risk of a more serious problem down the road.