Degenerative Disc Disease

Cause

Degenerative disc disease is a common problem of the aging spine that can lead to severe and intractable low back and neck pain.

Symptoms

• Low back pain (worsens when sitting)
• Neck pain
• Discomfort from prolonged sitting or standing

Johns Hopkins Treatment

When the location of the pain can be attributed to the degenerated disc, then surgical treatment may be effective. Options for treatment include traditional open fusion techniques which are the gold standard for treatment. Newer treatment options include:

• Minimally invasive fusion
• Dynamic stabilization
• Motion preservation with disc replacement/arthroplasty

The Spine Center at Johns Hopkins offers all of these approaches in the treatment of spinal degenerative disc disease.