• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Virtual Clinic
  • Patient Portal
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Surgery Center
  • Self-Pay Pricing
Watauga Orthopaedics
Watauga Orthopaedics
  • Phone: (423) 282-9011
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet the Team
    • Meet Our Doctors
      • Alan Aiken, DO
      • Marc Aiken, MD
      • Jonathan D. Bryant, DO
      • D. Christopher Carver, MD
      • Robert J. DeTroye, MD
      • Parker P. Duncan, MD
      • Richard W. Duncan, MD
      • Tyler M. Duncan, DO
      • Jason A. Fogleman, MD
      • Jeffrey J. France, MD
      • Joseph R. Hurst, DO
      • Thomas W. Gill, Jr., MD
      • Timothy D. Jenkins, MD
      • Kent J. Lord, MD
      • Scott R. MacDonald, DO
      • Mark T. McQuain, MD
      • Eric D. Parks, MD
      • Dustin M. Price, MD
      • Gregory L. Stewart, MD
      • J. Michael Wells, MD
    • Meet Our Mid-Level Providers
    • Meet Our Therapists
  • Specialties
    • Spine/Neck/Back
    • Shoulder & Elbow
    • Hand & Wrist
    • Hip & Knee
    • Foot & Ankle
  • Treatments & Services
    • General Orthopaedics
    • Orthopedic Surgery
    • Sports Medicine
    • Trauma & Fractures
    • Joint Replacement
    • Walk-In Clinic
    • Imaging
    • Physical Therapy
    • DME/Orthotics
    • Work-Related Injuries
    • Non-Surgical Treatments
    • Pediatric Orthopedics
    • Robotic Surgery
  • In The Community
  • Locations
    • Johnson City
    • Kingsport
    • Bristol
    • Center for Advanced Bone and Joint Surgery
  • Patient Resources
  • Contact Us

Can Degenerative Discs Heal On Their Own?

November 23, 2018

Can Degenerative Discs Heal On Their Own

Spinal discs act as shock absorbers, and sit between the bones of the spine (called vertebrae). The discs help the spine stay flexible as you move, bend, and twist. As we age, the discs become less able of providing the necessary cushioning and support to the bones of the spine. The breakdown of the discs is the result, a condition called degenerative disc disease. It causes inflammation, pain, and reduced flexibility and mobility in the back. 

Wear and tear, arthritis, and the natural thinning of spinal discs can all lead to degenerative disc disease. As we age, we lose fluid in our spinal discs. This causes the discs to become flatter overtime, making them less effective in absorbing shock and providing cushion to the vertebrae. It happens slowly and people are more likely as they age to experience back pain because of it. However, back pain may not appear until the condition has progressed significantly.

In addition, degenerative disc disease can result in cracks in the outer wall of the spine, which keeps the vertebrae and discs in place. When this happens, spinal discs can push through, leading to bulging or herniated discs.

Does Degenerative Disc Disease Heal on Its Own?

No, degenerative disc disease cannot heal on its own.

Many treatments for degenerative disc disease focus on reducing symptoms. Some people experience more severe or longer-lasting symptoms than others. Some people with degenerative disc disease are able to live most of their lives without back pain, while others may experience back pain due to degenerative disc disease as early as when they are in their 40s.

There are a variety of treatments that can help reduce symptoms caused by degenerative disc disease such as:

·       Medications – Over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription medications can reduce inflammation can help reduce pain.

·       Physical therapy – Physical therapy can help make neck and back muscles strong, so they can support the spine better. This reduces the pressure on the discs and can help reduce overall back pain.

·       Steroid injections – For individuals with severe back pain caused by degenerative disc disease, oral medications may not be enough. Steroid shots are a viable treatment option for these individuals as it is a stronger, more targeted medication that reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation in the spine.

·       Surgery – In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat degenerative disc disease. In cases of severe degeneration, orthopedic surgeons may replace damaged discs with artificial ones that can provide the cushioning the spine needs to move pain-free.

If you suffer from back pain and think you may have degenerative disc disease, talk to an orthopedic physician to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment options best suited for you.

Watauga Orthopaedics has expertise in general orthopedic care, sports medicine, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. Their comprehensive musculoskeletal continuum includes innovative treatments for a plethora of orthopedic conditions. If you have an orthopedic condition like degenerative disc disease, Watauga Orthopaedics would love to help you get effective treatments. Call (423) 282-9011 today to make an appointment. You can also request an appointment online.

Filed Under: General Orthopedics Tagged With: Degenerative Disc Disease, Degenerative Discs, Orthopaedics, orthopedic care

Primary Sidebar

November 2018
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930  
« Oct   Dec »

Categories

  • Arthritis
  • Back Pain
  • Bone Health
  • Broken Bone
  • Facet Block
  • Fracture
  • General
  • General Orthopedics
  • Hand Dislocations
  • Hand Therapist
  • Herniated Discs
  • Hip
  • Hip Fractures
  • Hip Pain
  • Knee Pain
  • Lumbar Pain
  • Meniscal Tear
  • Neck Pain
  • Nerve Damage
  • Orthopedic Doctor
  • Orthopedic Injury
  • Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Orthopedic Urgent Care
  • Orthopedics
  • Orthopedist
  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Physical Therapy
  • Shoulder & Elbow
  • Sports Medicine
  • Tendonitis
  • Work Injuries
  • Wrist Pain

Tags

Arthritis back pain bones Chronic Pain fracture Fractures Hip Hip Fractures joint pain Low Back Pain lumbar pain Musculoskeletal Injuries orthopedic orthopedic care orthopedic care near me Orthopedic Clinic Johnson City orthopedic clinic Johnson City TN orthopedic clinic near me Orthopedic Doctor Orthopedic doctor Bristol TN Orthopedic doctor near me Orthopedic Injuries orthopedic physical therapy Orthopedics Orthopedic Surgeon Orthopedic Surgeon Johnson City TN Orthopedic Surgeon near me Orthopedic Surgeons Kingsport TN Orthopedic Surgeons near me orthopedic surgery orthopedist pain Pediatric Orthopedics Pediatric Orthopedist Physical therapist near me Physical therapists near me physical therapy Physical Therapy Bristol TN Physical Therapy Johnson City physical therapy Johnson City TN Physical Therapy Kingsport TN Physical therapy near me Physical Therapy Services Watauga Orthopaedics Watauga Orthopedics

Footer

woman checking her laptop with smile

BLOG

Get the latest news and information about research and advancements in orthopedic sports medicine, as well updates about our practice, with our exclusive blog.

Learn More

Patient Stories

As a well-established and respected part of the northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia communities, Watauga Orthopaedics often receives glowing reviews from our patients for the exceptional personalized service we provide. Here are just a few of our favorite testimonials:

View All
Interior Patient Stories

Patient Reviews

Want to know what others had to say about their experience with us? Visit your Watauga Orthopaedics provider profile to read the reviews.

Read Our Reviews

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Specialties
  • Treatments & Services
  • In The Community
  • Patient Education
  • Blog
  • Patient Portal
  • Web Portal
  • Locations
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Non-Discrimination Policy
  • Employee Email Login
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

JOHNSON CITY ORTHOPAEDICS OFFICE
2410 Susannah Street | Johnson City, TN 37601
Physical Therapy Office: 2412 Susannah Street | Johnson City, TN 37601
Phone: (423) 282-9011
Fax: (423) 282-0035
Appointments: M-F: 8 am – 5 pm
Walk-In Clinic:
M-F, 8 am – 8 pm
Sat: 8 am – 5 pm | Sun: 1 pm – 5 pm
Virtual Clinic:
M-F: 8 pm – 10 pm | Sat-Sun: 5 pm – 10 pm

KINGSPORT ORTHOPAEDICS OFFICE
875 Larry Neil Way | Kingsport, TN 37660
Phone: (423) 282-9011
Fax: (423) 282-0035
Appointments: M-F, 8 am – 5 pm
Walk-In Clinic: M-F, 8 am – 8 pm
Virtual Clinic:
M-F: 8 pm – 10 pm | Sat-Sun: 5 pm – 10 pm

BRISTOL ORTHOPAEDICS OFFICE 
340 Steeles Road | Bristol, TN 37620
Phone: (423) 282-9011
Fax: (423) 282-0035
Appointments: M-F, 8 am – 5 pm
Walk-In Clinic: M-F, 8 am – 8 pm
Virtual Clinic:
M-F: 8 pm – 10 pm | Sat-Sun: 5 pm – 10 pm

Copyright © · Watauga Orthopaedics · All Rights Reserved
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

At Watauga Orthopaedics, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons are experts in treating injuries and conditions of the Spine/Neck/Back, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip & Knee, Joint Replacement, Pediatric Orthopaedics, Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Medicine, Trauma & Fractures, and Work-Related Injuries. We offer multiple treatments and services in Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol, TN.