DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE Marc
Darrow, M.D.
The aging process brings about
degenerative changes to our ligaments, tendons, and cartilage through
the desiccation (the drying out) of collagen. Degenerative Disc Disease
(DDD) refers to this process occurring in the vertebral discs. It just so
happens that the vertebral discs
suffers through the most dramatic of age-related changes of all
connective tissue related to this process. In DDD, the discs will
shrink and collapse bringing the vertebrae closer together and causing
greater risk of
Disc Herniation and assorted pain problems.
The typical treatment for degenerative disc disease
is heat, rest, physical therapy, and of course, medications—pain
relievers and
anti-inflammatory
medications.
These treatments can not solve the problem of
ligament laxity
as we have seen
Prolotherapy do. Injections to the
ligament area, can
help restore, tighten, and thicken the ligaments that will stabilize the
spine in Degenerative Disc Disease.
The Problem With The Diagnosis
We typically have patients come into our office with big stacks of
MRIs,
CT Scans and x-rays to confirm the label of Degenerative Disc Disease
placed on them by other medical professionals. For example, a woman once
came into our office. She had in essence become the living, breathing
“embodiment,” of the problem that showed up on her film. When she came
in, all she could do was talk about her degenerative disc disease at the
L-5, S-1 discs.
This woman had pain in her groin and her back. When we told her we were
going to examine her to determine if this was indeed her problem, she
had a lot of difficulty comprehending that her pain may not come from
her Degenerative Disc Disease at L-5, S-1 because she had already been
diagnosed as needing
surgery on these two discs. There have been many
studies and papers written on the accuracy or correctness of diagnosis
based on an MRI reading.
We know from studies that half the people after a certain age show disc
problems on film but they reported they had no pain.
So if someone has a diagnosis from an MRI the first thing we do is see
if that is REALLY where the pain is coming from. To practice good
medicine you need to rely on MRI and X-Rays and scans but you also need
to use your hands to find out where the pain is coming from, being
careful to gently press on the suspect area causing pain. When the
physician's touch elicits an intense pain spot, known as a
trigger point or tender point, then we know this is the spot (to do
Prolotherapy).
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Prolotherapy is a medical
technique. As with any medical technique, results will vary among
individuals.
Prolotherapy may not work for you and as with all medical
procedures there are risks involved. These risks should be discussed with a qualified
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