What does multilevel degenerative changes of the cervical spine mean?

What does multilevel degenerative changes of the cervical spine mean?

The “disease” is nothing more than the gradual deterioration and thinning of the shock-absorbing intervertebral discs in the spine. When it happens at multiple discs or levels throughout the spine, this is known as multilevel degenerative disc disease.

What is diffuse degenerative changes?

The phrase “degenerative changes” in the spine refers to osteoarthritis of the spine. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Doctors may also refer to it as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis in the spine most commonly occurs in the neck and lower back.

What does diffuse degenerative disc disease mean?

Simply put, degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on a spinal disc. In some cases, degenerative disc disease also causes weakness, numbness, and hot, shooting pains in the arms or legs (radicular pain).

What does multi level degenerative changes mean?

In some cases, disc generation is contained to one overstressed disc, but more often, disc degeneration occurs at multiple levels throughout the spine. When this happens, it’s aptly called “Multi-Level Degenerative Disc Disease.” Today, we take a closer look at the condition and how it is treated.

How is multilevel degenerative disc disease treated?

Treatment may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, or both, special exercises, medications, losing weight, and surgery. Medical options include injecting the joints next to the damaged disc with steroids and a local anesthetic. These are called facet joint injections. They can provide effective pain relief.

What can you do for degenerative changes in the cervical spine?

For neck pain stemming from cervical degenerative disc disease, a doctor will typically recommend one or a combination of the following treatment options:

• Rest or lifestyle modification.
• Pain management with medication or injections.
• Ice and/or heat therapy.

What causes multilevel degenerative disc disease?

Degeneration occurs because of age-related wear-and-tear on a spinal disc, and may be accelerated by injury, health and lifestyle factors, and possibly by genetic predisposition to joint pain or musculoskeletal disorders. Degenerative disc disease rarely starts from a major trauma such as a car accident.

What is multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease?

Cervical degenerative disc disease is a common cause of neck pain and radiating arm pain. It develops when one or more of the cushioning discs in the cervical spine starts to break down due to wear and tear.

Is multilevel degenerative disc disease a disability?

Qualifying for Disability Due to Degenerative Disc Disease Degenerative disc disease by itself is not recognized as a listed disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

What are the stages of degenerative disc disease?

What are the 4 Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease?

• Stage 1. The first stage of degenerative disc disease may go unnoticed by the individual but can be identified by a chiropractor or other medical professional.
• Stage 2.
• Stage 3.
• Stage 4.
• Chiropractic Adjustments.
• Spinal Decompression.

Can you work with multilevel degenerative disc disease?

However, in some cases, particularly with multilevel disc disease, either traumatic or degenerative, the condition can be so severely disabling that is can prevent a person from working at any gainful occupation for shich they are reasonably suited.