Degenerative Spine Conditions

Cause

Degenerative conditions of the spine occur as part of the normal aging process. Nearly everyone experiences some degeneration of the intervertebral discs or spinal joints by the age of 40. However, in some individuals, these changes are more advanced than is typical for their age.

Symptoms

• Back pain
• Leg pain
• Stiffness
• Neurological problems, such as numbness in arms or legs

Hopkins Treatment

Non-surgical treatments are often highly effective as an initial approach. If non-surgical treatment fails for degenerated/herniated intervertebral discs, or for spinal stenosis, then surgery is offered to selected candidates. Our spine surgeons are experts in correlating the patient’s symptoms to the findings on x-rays and MRI scans, which is a critical step in determining who will benefit from surgery and what type of surgery should be performed.