In order to receive an accurate degenerative disc disease (DDD) diagnosis, it is extremely important that you visit a licensed medical professional. While the Internet is a great resource and the symptoms of DDD may seem easy to identify, every case is different and what you might interpret as being a problem with one of your intervertebral discs might actually have a different cause altogether. Furthermore, treatment options for each condition vary widely from patient to patient depending on the cause and severity of their symptoms, their overall health, their medical history, and other contributing factors, which is why it is so important to turn to a doctor to determine how best to overcome discomfort. So what, exactly, goes into the diagnosis process?

Typically, when a patient visits their doctor complaining of chronic back pain or any of the other symptoms that are typically associated with a degenerative spine condition, the first step will be a basic question and answer process. The patient should be prepared to speak in detail about their overall health, as well as the exact symptoms that they are experiencing. Even the smallest detail can prove essential in the degenerative disc disease diagnosis process, which is why it is so important that the patient pay close attention to their symptoms and spare no details. If pain is worse in the morning, for example, this might indicate the presence of osteoarthritis in the spine instead of a herniated disc. The doctor will also likely ask about the patient’s lifestyle. Someone who participates in high impact sports will be more likely to develop accelerated spinal deterioration earlier in life than would normally be expected.

After the initial interview, the next step typically is for the doctor to conduct a physical examination. Simply applying pressure along the back and neck can often help pinpoint the exact location of the problem and frame the doctor’s opinion of what the problem actually is. This examination can sometimes be a little uncomfortable for the patient, but this discomfort is important and can make all of the difference in diagnosing the problem. If the doctor thinks that a degenerative spine condition is to blame for the problem, an MRI, CT scan, or X-ray may all be scheduled to confirm the diagnosis or even determine if something else is contributing to the problem. For instance, a patient who suffers from a herniated disc may also experience osteoarthritis in the vertebral joints or bone spur growth in the spinal canal, which contribute to the pain.

Finally, when a degenerative disc disease diagnosis has been made, the doctor will sit down with the patient, explain their condition, and begin to discuss the various treatment options that will offer the individual the best chance of treating their pain. The good news is that DDD is quite common and in most cases a regimen of conservative techniques, such as the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, low-impact exercise, and gentle stretching exercises will deliver the results that the patient requires. If, however, several weeks or months of this approach prove ineffective, the subject of surgical adjustment may also be considered, although this is almost always considered the treatment of last resort when nothing else has worked.

To learn more about diagnosing and treating degenerative disc disease, speak with your doctor today.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures that help patients who have received a degenerative disc disease diagnosis.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in procedures that help patients who have received a degenerative disc disease diagnosis. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/degenerative_disc_disease/confirming/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures that help patients who have received a degenerative disc disease diagnosis.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: degenerative disc disease diagnosis