4 Signs You May Be Suffering From Degenerative Disc Disease

Despite the name, degenerative disc disease (DDD) is not actually a disease. Instead, it is a condition caused by the wearing down of spinal discs. Those discs are located between your vertebrae, and they essentially act as shock absorbers. Unfortunately, they will degenerate over time. This is a natural part of aging, but some people will experience pain and other symptoms as discs degenerate, and this is known as DDD.

There are several treatment options available, and it makes sense to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. With that in mind, here are just four common signs of DDD.

1. Back Pain

Back pain is a key symptom of DDD, but it can also point to several other issues. When DDD is the root cause, you're likely to find that pain becomes worse when you are sitting since this places more pressure on the discs in your lower back. Bending, twisting, and lifting is also likely to produce pain. In contrast, you may feel better when you frequently change position or even when you do light exercise. Pain from DDD may come and go, sometimes lasting for weeks or even months at a time.

2. Numbness and Tingling

In some cases, damaged discs may affect nerves near your spine. A displaced disc may pinch one of the nerves that leads to your extremities. They may also shrink, which can further irritate nearby nerves. When this happens, you may experience tingling or numbness in your hands, fingers, legs, or feet. In rarer cases, you may even feel a burning sensation in those areas.

3. Spinal Instability

When you develop DDD, you may experience sudden spinal instability. This will feel like your neck or back is unable to provide a basic level of support. Movement may become difficult, and you may feel those areas lock up. People often describe this sensation as their back or neck 'giving out'. Muscle tension or spasms can also occur, which can similarly affect your stability. This can sometimes occur without any associated pain.

4. Weakness in the Legs

Since DDD can start to affect the nerves in your legs, you may slowly start to find the muscles in your legs feeling weaker. As this problem develops, you may experience problems with your balance or gait, as well as difficulty walking very far or very fast. In some cases, you may even start to drag your feet a little as you walk. When this happens, it's vital you seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

Contact your doctor if you experience back pain.