Degenerative Disc Disease

[canthai55]

Getting Old is not for the Faint of Heart

Just been diagnosed - or to be more accurate been told this may be the problem.

Online search tells much, but looking for first hand experience from others who have / have had this.

Non surgical treatments, remedies any and all, appreciated.

Thank You

[Sheryl]

You don't mention the location i.e. cervical or lumbar, nor the severity of your symptoms. Degenerative disk disease has a wide spectrum and treatment depends on severity.  It is sometimes accompanied by stenosis and bone spurs and these can impinge on the nerves, sometimes severely, othertimes mildly or not at all.

 

Have you had an MRI yet?

 

Some good overviews:

 

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/orthopaedic_disorders/degenerative_disc_disease_22,DegenerativeDiscDisease

 

https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/degenerative-disc-disease/

 

Provided there are no signs of nerve root or spinal cord compression the first approach is  physical therapy/exercise.

 

Google "degenerative disc disease exercises" plus either "cervical" or "lumbar" depending on where your problem is, since the exercises differ accordingly. Lots of videos on exercises you can do at home - but clear them with your doctor first, and also stop at once if they cause pain to worsen. The sort of soreness that comes from stretching muscles is OK but anything else is a sign to stop what you are doing.

 

Also use lumbar supports when sitting on chair or in your car (true even if the issue is in the neck).

 

In terms of PT, lumbar or cervical traction (as applicable) can be helpful. You can get simple, inexpensive devices for cervical traction at home from Lazada

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?q=cervical+traction&_keyori=ss&from=input&spm=a2o4m.home.search.go.1125719cfJs4tW

 

You can also get stretching beds that will help the lumbar spine but they are costly.  Help a lot, though, I have one like this:

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/therapy-massage-bed-table-cervical-and-lumbar-traction-bed-stretching-device-i258018063-s397725842.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.53.45303220wb8gsi&search=1

 

Alternatively one of those tilted tables people use for sit ups with work provided you can tolerate being a bit upside down. Or elevated bars that you hand onto and let your body hand. In both cases gravity does the work. These are for lumbar spine issues.

 

If the issue is lumbar, devices that help you bend backward may be  helpful like this:

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?q=back+stretcher&_keyori=ss&from=input&spm=a2o4m.home.search.go.1125719cui61mV

 

Adjustments to your mattress may also help. Basically the firmest one that you can still sleep well on. This can take some trial and error. Sometimes the best solution is a thin memory foam topper on top of a hard mattress, but YMMV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[canthai55]

Thank you Sheryl. I should have mentioned that it is lower lumbar.

Severe pain at onset. Could only walk bent at the waist in a 90 degree position. Pain radiated down my RH leg in upper thigh, then under the knee. At times to the foot, but only occasionally.

We have a physio therapist who did a 4 year course in CMU and have been going to see her daily. Helped a lot as thigh pain almost completely gone, knee pain same old same old, as doctors in Canada have wanted me to do a complete knee replacement.

I told then when I can not walk at all I would do it. 555

Have stopped analgesic medication for a week now. Some stiffness in the morning, but spend 45 minutes watering the garden and I feel 18 again. Well - my thigh does 555

You are a real treasure on this forum, and I wish to express my thanks for all your hard work.

Will look into the links you so kindly posted.

Be Well

 

[Sheryl]

That your symptoms have eased with physical therapy is great and indicates no need for surgery at this time.

But re your "will agree to surgery only when I can no longer walk", for future reference, surgery can relieve pain and prevent future nerve damage but cannot correct nerve damage that has already occurred. If surgery is indicated, leaving it too late can result in permanent disability. Obviously one does not want to have surgery if it can be avoided, but when it can't be you also do not want to put it off too long.

Indications for surgery would be signs of nerve root compression such as pain radiating down the leg and, especially, tingling or numbness in the legs or feet that does not improve with conservative measures. You had the first part of this but it did respond so OK for now but keep this in mind for future.

If you are at all overweight losing weight will be helpful, less strain on the spine. And of course minimize time spent in a sitting posture. Some people learn to use computer standing up, for example. Sitting puts maximum pressure on the lymber spine whereas in standing the legs help carry the load.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[canthai55]

Thanks. I have 6 bikes here - motorcycles - and all of them require sitting to operate. 555

Was on one today for 3 hours constant riding. Got off, feel the same. No pain, no tingling, Free at Last ??? 555

But will continue to minimize constant on the road time. Maybe ride 1.5 or 2 hours. Then stop, stretch, walk around. Dance ?

Would this mitigate any damage, or have a cumulative effect ?

Again - many thanks for your replies