Treatments

DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE

Your chronic back and/or neck pain may be linked to a condition called: Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD).

Although many patients spend years living with limited function and mobility in their spines due to the pain this condition causes, there is treatment available in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Degenerative Disc Disease is a condition that occurs when a spinal disc wears out. The process often starts with a disc herniation, causing a hole in the outer layer of the disc and accelerating the degenerative process. A degenerative disc becomes dehydrated, loses its height and elasticity and can become painful. Your genetics and lifestyle may play a role in how this disease affects you. DDD can cause pain, weakness, tingling, numbness, muscle spasms and unexpected flare-ups of pain but it can be treated with medication, minimally invasive procedures and surgical interventions. Living with chronic pain does not need to be an everyday part of life - find a solution with Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D. It is important to address your chronic back/and or neck pain with a specialist like Dr. Cuéllar to ensure that your symptoms are not pointing to something more serious.

There are multiple minimally invasive procedures that can address your Degenerative Disc Disease. If you are suffering from DDD and living with limited mobility, it can lead to other health problems and cause stress - discover the right treatment for your DDD and begin your journey to a better quality of life.

What Is Degenerative
Disc Disease?

Many people experience chronic back pain as they get older, but it can be a warning sign that something more serious could be wrong. The most common cause of chronic back pain is Degenerative Disc Disease, a condition that occurs when discs along the spine wear out. This can happen naturally as discs wear down over time and become less able to absorb shock, which can result in either chronic pain or sharp, unexpected pain.

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Causes of Degenerative
Disc Disease

While we currently do not fully understand the cause of DDD, some studies have shown that there is likely a genetic influence. It is also known that smoking tobacco may have a negative effect on the health of the spinal discs. So while genetics predispose some patients to this disease, lifestyle also plays a key role as a contributing factor in the development of this condition. In the neck, with so many people on the go in Palm Beach County, and constantly using their devices, there has been a rise in what is known as “text neck”. Bad posture that is exhibited around the use of devices places too much stress on various regions of the neck and spine, thus the term. Trauma or heavy lifting can be a cause of disc herniation. Once a disc is herniated this can accelerate the DDD process.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Degenerative Disc Disease can cause weakness, tingling, numbness, muscle spasms and unexpected flare-ups of pain but it can be treated with medication, minimally invasive procedures and surgical interventions. DDD can be diagnosed through a physical exam and spinal imaging such as XRAYs and MRI.

Available Treatment Options for Degenerative Disc Disease in Palm Beach County

PHYSICAL THERAPY AND EXERCISE

At Cuéllar Spine, there are a number of non-surgical options available to patients suffering from Degenerative Disc Disease. Your doctor will likely order physical therapy treatments and exercise first, as a way of conservatively treating your symptoms. We refer patients to a number of local PT locations in Palm Beach County who work closely with our care team.

MEDICATIONS AND PAIN MANAGEMENT
Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D. recommends treating DDD with non-invasive treatments first, such as hot and cold therapy or medications. Heat therapy reduces tension in the muscles while cold therapy reduces inflammation - when coupled with medication, these tactics can prove to be very effective in managing chronic pain from DDD. By working with your doctor and a physical therapist, you may find a non-surgical solution to your condition.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES
Minimally Invasive Surgeries (MiSS) use a variety of different surgical approaches to reduce damage to the body so that patients can recover more quickly. An artificial disc replacement (ADR), also known as Total Disc Replacement (TDR) or Total Disc Arthroplasty, is a minimally invasive surgery where a skilled surgeon removes a damaged or diseased disc and replaces it with an artificial metal or plastic one. Dr. Cuéllar specializes in total disc replacement of the lumbar and cervical spine.

SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS
Although at Cuéllar Spine we recommend surgical interventions as a last resort, spinal fusions are also a treatment option for patients suffering from Degenerative Disc Disease. During a fusion, a spinal surgeon will place a small amount of bone material between two vertebrae. As the bones fuse together over time, they will stop rubbing against each other, which causes nerve pain. However, spinal fusions can distress the adjacent discs and the procedure can also limit spine mobility.

Meet Dr. Jason Cuéllar, Palm Beach County Spine Surgeon

Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in treating spinal disorders in Jupiter, Palm Beach County, and throughout South Florida. Dr. Cuellar provides patients with both non-operative treatments, such as regenerative medicine and injections of a novel biologic therapy for osteoarthritis, as well as artificial disc replacement surgery.

Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., is a highly specialized spinal surgeon. Following receiving his Ph.D. at U.C. Davis, he attended Stanford Medical School. Dr. Cuéllar has been studying spinal conditions alongside pain research for over two decades - in fact, throughout medical school, he worked in a pain research laboratory, completing his post-doctoral research and a year as a medical scholar’s research fellow. While in school, Dr. Cuéllar suffered from his own chronic back pain and underwent multiple treatment options before turning to ADR himself. Because of this personal journey, Dr. Cuéllar has become more in tune with the needs of patients seeking ADR, and he works closely with patients and other care providers to provide a holistic and multidisciplinary approach for each patient. He has performed many successful ADR surgeries and is an award-winning surgeon.

WHY DR. CUÉLLAR IS A TOP CHOICE FOR DDD RELIEF

Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., is a top choice when considering DDD relief as he is a highly specialized surgeon with a specific focus on ADR, which is the leading treatment for this condition. Dr. Cuéllar has performed many successful ADR surgeries over the past two decades and is considered to be a top surgeon in Palm Beach, Florida for treating spinal conditions.

Living With Degenerative
Disc Disease

Living with DDD requires pain management, regular exercise and lifestyle adjustments that enhance comfort and function. Identifying the right spinal specialist and physical therapist in Palm Beach County can help you find the best treatment plan for living with this condition.

Preventing Degenerative
Disc Disease in Palm
Beach County

When left undiagnosed and untreated, Degenerative Disc Disease can lead to regular discomfort and difficulty in performing everyday activities. There are however, some things you can do to better support your spine and create better lifestyle choices that prevent the onset (or worsening) of this condition, such as: promoting better posture, eating healthier, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and avoiding being sedentary for too long throughout the day.

Local Resources and
Support for Degenerative
Disc Disease Patients

There are many resources available for those in Palm Beach County, Florida living with Degenerative Disc Disease. Talk with your doctor about resources that are available in your area and what is right for you.

There are multiple minimally invasive procedures that can address your Degenerative Disc Disease. If you are suffering from DDD and living with chronic pain and limited mobility, it can lead to other health problems and cause stress - discover the right treatment for your DDD and begin your journey to a better quality of life.

Find the treatment that is right for you with Cuéllar Spine, and discover the steps to your pain-free future with a consultation with one of our team members today.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the risk factors for degenerative disc disease in Palm Beach County?

Although artificial disc replacement surgery has only been available for the past 25 or so years, it is still widely seen to have benefits that outweigh the risks. It is notable too that not all spine surgeons routinely perform ADRs, so finding the right, highly-skilled and experienced specialist is paramount. Also, artificial discs only last 70 years, but with relatively fast recovery times and the long-term pain relief it offers, ADR has proven to be the right treatment for many patients.

Can degenerative disc disease be completely cured?

While Degenerative Disc Disease cannot be completely cured - it is often a hereditary condition - there are both surgical and non-invasive treatment options available to patients.

What exercises can I do to relieve pain from degenerative disc disease?

There are a number of daily exercises that can be done to relieve pain caused by DDD. The exercise depends on where the degenerating disc is located. Talk to your doctor about exercises that are right for you!

Is surgery the only option for severe cases of degenerative disc disease?

There are both surgical and non-invasive treatment options available to patients suffering from DDD. Book a consultation with our team today for an assessment of your condition, and let us help you find the right treatment option for you.

How can I find a specialist for degenerative disc disease in Palm Beach County?

Not all spinal surgeons in Palm Beach County routinely perform the surgical procedures that treat DDD, which is why it's imperative to find a highly-specialized surgeon, like Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D.

How fast does degenerative disc disease progress?

Once a disc is injured, it will continue to degrade. Depending on the state of the intervertebral disc, it can take months to years to progress, but acute pain can set in regardless of the disease’s progression, making normal movement and flexibility in the spine more difficult.

How can I prevent degenerative disc disease from getting worse?

There are some lifestyle choices that prevent the onset (or worsening) of this condition, such as: promoting better posture, eating healthier, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and avoiding being sedentary for too long throughout the day. Avoiding tobacco is also important for a healthy spine, among other health benefits.