Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment in Dubai (DDD)
The term “Degenerative” is understood as a disease that increases with age; however, the term ‘’ Degenerative Disc Disease” describes the process of disc degeneration over time.
What is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)?
The term “Disc” refers to the soft cushioning slice of cartilage or tissue sandwiched between vertebrae. When discs degenerate or undergo wear and tear, we commonly refer to it as degenerative disc disease.
The spinal discs are shock absorbers for the spinal column. The discs absorb excess pressure on the canal, protect the vertebrae, and help to provide motion. Due to genetics, excess stress, age-related wear and tear, or other reasons, the normal shape, structure and function of the disc alter. This is called disc degeneration.
Degenerative disc disease can cause various symptoms ranging from simple neck or low back pain to symptoms arising due to a prolapsed disc (such as sciatica), along with severe pain and mobility issues.
What causes degenerative discs?
Degenerative disc disease is a common age-related condition that can result in spinal pain and reduced flexibility. However, degenerative disc disease can be caused by several direct and indirect reasons. Let’s first try to understand the anatomy of intervertebral discs. Lumbar disc disease often leads to lower back pain and can cause leg numbness or weakness.
Anatomy Of discs
The discs are made of a soft inner core called the nucleus pulposus. The core is a gelatinous material that acts as a shock absorber and conditions, nourishes, provides flexibility and protects the spinal canal.
The soft inner core is protected by a hard layer known as annulus fibrosis, which protects the inner gelatinous structure while providing torsional resistance.
The intervertebral discs of a healthy young adult consist of 90% fluid, decreasing as we age. Dehydration of content decreases the gap between the vertebrae, and the effectiveness of the discs’ biomechanical properties reduces. The discs offer less cushioning and shock-absorbing capacity; as a result, the risk of wear and tear of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs increases – disc degeneration.
Disc degeneration may affect any part of the spine, but typically the cervical and lumbar spines are most involved. Cervical degenerative disc disease affects the neck area and may lead to neck pain and radiating arm discomfort. Cervical degenerative disc disease can be managed through conservative therapies like neck exercises and physiotherapy.
Symptoms of disc degeneration
Symptoms vary depending upon which disc is affected by degeneration. Some known symptoms found while treating patients with degenerative disc disease in Dubai are as follows:
- Pain in the lower back, buttock, and upper thighs if lower back discs are affected;
- Pain in the neck, shoulders, or arms if cervical spine (neck) discs are affected
- Pain worsening on sitting and improving on standing or walking
- Sharp pinching sensation while performing a specific movement
- Pain that lasts for a prolonged period. You may experience intermittent surging pain for months.
Degenerative disc disease can lead to the development of spinal osteoarthritis, causing chronic discomfort. Lumbar disc disease may require treatments such as physical therapy, medication, or in severe cases, surgical intervention.
Diagnosis
Dr Sherief will ask several questions about the nature of your symptoms occurring and when they have started. He will also take a physical examination to assess your spinal alignment, range of motion, motor power, sensation, and abnormal reflexes.
Dr Sherief may also ask for other tests that include an X-ray and MRI and occasionally a CT scan. Some patients may also benefit from neurophysiological studies (nerve conduction studies and electromyography NCS/EMG).
Degenerative disc disease treatments often include physical therapy and pain management techniques. The treatment approaches are either non-operative or operative. Most patients get relief with non-operative measures, including activity modification, analgesics (painkillers), and physiotherapy. Sometimes injections may be of benefit.
In severe cases, surgical interventions such as spinal fusion may be considered for degenerative disc disease treatment. Surgery is typically reserved for cases that do not improve with non-surgical treatments, but the results of surgery for neck or back pain (without neurological symptoms) are largely unpredictable.
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Dr Sherief Elsayed is a skilled, highly qualified spine surgeon. He has performed successful surgeries in extremely intricate spinal cases. He is considered one of the top spine surgeons in Dubai and is dedicated to achieving patients’ holistic spine health wellness goals. Consult Dr Sherief for quality treatment of your spine.
FAQ
Cervical degenerative disc disease refers to wear and tear changes in the discs between your neck vertebrae. As we age, these discs naturally lose water content, becoming thinner and less effective as shock absorbers. This can lead to neck pain, stiffness, and sometimes nerve compression if the disc bulges or bone spurs develop. Despite the name, it’s not really a disease but a normal ageing process. However, some people experience more significant symptoms than others, particularly if degeneration occurs more rapidly or affects nerves exiting the spine.
No. Many people have degenerative changes visible on scans but experience minimal or no symptoms. Treatment is only needed when degeneration causes problematic pain, stiffness affecting daily activities, or nerve compression leading to arm symptoms. If your scans show disc degeneration but you’re managing well, observation and preventive strategies like good posture and regular exercise may be all that’s required. Treatment decisions should be based on how you feel and how symptoms impact your life, not just what appears on imaging.
Unfortunately, you cannot reverse the structural changes that have already occurred, as discs don’t regenerate once degenerated. However, symptoms can often be managed effectively without surgery through physiotherapy, pain management, and lifestyle modifications. These approaches aim to strengthen surrounding muscles, improve neck mechanics, and reduce strain on affected discs. For some patients, surgical options like cervical disc replacement or fusion can address the painful segment whilst preserving or restoring function. The focus is on optimising comfort and function rather than reversing the degenerative process itself.
Degenerative changes typically progress gradually over many years, though the rate varies considerably between individuals. Some people’s degeneration plateaus and causes few problems, whilst others experience more progressive symptoms. Factors like genetics, occupation, previous injuries, and general health influence progression. Staying active, maintaining good posture, avoiding smoking, and keeping a healthy weight may help slow progression. Regular monitoring allows early intervention if symptoms worsen. Not everyone with cervical degeneration develops severe problems requiring surgery.
They often occur together but affect different structures. Degenerative disc disease involves the cushioning discs between vertebrae, whilst cervical spondylosis (arthritis) affects the facet joints at the back of the spine and sometimes leads to bone spur formation. Both result from wear and tear, can cause similar symptoms of neck pain and stiffness, and commonly coexist. When bone spurs from arthritis or disc bulges from degeneration compress nerves, you may develop arm pain or weakness. Treatment approaches often address both conditions simultaneously, as they’re part of the same degenerative process.