Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease affects nearly everyone as they age. While some experience only mild changes with few symptoms, others suffer from chronic, excruciating back pain. If you’re struggling with pain, call Alexis Tracy, DO, at Somerset Spine & Nerve in Medford, Oregon. Dr. Tracy specializes in physical medicine and minimally invasive interventional techniques, helping patients find relief and return to a more active life—without surgery. Don’t wait to seek help for your neck or back pain. Call the office or request an appointment online today.

What is degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease occurs as the discs between your vertebrae gradually deteriorate. This condition develops naturally over time due to the wear and tear of daily movement.

As you age, each disc also loses moisture, causing it to collapse and lose its ability to absorb shock and cushion the spine.

Without healthy discs, the vertebrae can rub together or slip out of place, potentially leading to bone spurs, arthritis, and pinched spinal nerves.

As degeneration progresses, the endplates—located between the vertebrae and discs—also break down, which can damage the nerves inside the vertebrae.

What symptoms does degenerative disc disease cause?

Degenerative disc disease may cause neck or lower back pain, depending on the location of the affected disc. Pain often results from the spine losing the support that healthy discs normally provide.

Spinal instability can pinch nearby nerves and place added stress on surrounding muscles. As a result, you may experience inflammation, painful muscle spasms, or radiating symptoms.

Pinched nerves can lead to:

• Spinal pain

• Tingling or burning sensations in the arms or legs

• Numbness (in cases of more severe nerve damage)

How is degenerative disc disease treated?

Your Somerset Spine & Nerve provider begins with a detailed physical exam and may order imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to assess spinal structures. Electrodiagnostic testing may also be used to evaluate nerve function.

Once a diagnosis is confirmed, treatment typically begins with nonsurgical therapies, including anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy. If pain persists, Dr. Tracy offers advanced interventional procedures for long-term relief.

These minimally invasive techniques include:

• Joint injections

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections

• Stem cell injections

• Epidural steroid injections

• Nerve blocks

• Selective nerve root blocks

• Radiofrequency ablation

• Intracept® procedure

Corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation, while regenerative treatments like PRP and stem cells promote healing. Nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation disrupt pain signals to provide relief.

The Intracept® procedure offers long-lasting relief for vertebrogenic pain caused by endplate damage. Dr. Tracy uses real-time X-ray guidance to insert a slim, hollow tube into the vertebra and apply radiofrequency energy to the affected nerve, creating a lesion that stops pain signals.

Relief from ongoing back or neck pain is available at Somerset Spine & Nerve. Call the office or book your appointment online today.