Living with Degenerative Disc Disease in Fort Worth: When to See a Physician
Back or neck pain can slowly become part of your routine. At first, it may only bother you after a long day at work or while driving home. Over time, you might notice yourself avoiding certain movements, taking more breaks throughout the day, or giving up activities you used to enjoy because they’re too uncomfortable.
If you’re living with Degenerative Disc Disease in Fort Worth, or you think it may be contributing to your symptoms, it can be difficult to know when it’s time to stop managing the pain on your own and speak with a physician. While many people find relief with conservative treatment, ongoing pain, numbness, weakness, or changes in mobility may be signs that your condition deserves a closer look.
At Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital Fort Worth, physicians care for patients with a wide range of spine conditions, including Degenerative Disc Disease. Whether symptoms are mild or more advanced, understanding what’s causing your pain is the first step toward finding the treatment approach that’s right for you.
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Your spine is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae, with soft, flexible discs sitting between them. These discs act as cushions, absorbing shock and allowing your back and neck to bend, twist, and move comfortably throughout the day.
As we age, those discs naturally begin to change. They gradually lose moisture and flexibility, making them less effective at absorbing the stress placed on the spine. Small tears can also develop over time, and the space between the vertebrae may become narrower.
These changes are a normal part of aging and do not always cause pain. Degenerative Disc Disease occurs when those age-related changes begin affecting nearby joints, nerves, or surrounding tissues, leading to ongoing symptoms. The condition most commonly affects the neck and lower back because these areas are responsible for much of the spine’s movement and bear significant daily stress.
How Degenerative Disc Disease Can Affect Everyday Life
One of the challenges of Degenerative Disc Disease is that symptoms often develop gradually. What starts as occasional stiffness may slowly become more persistent, making everyday activities increasingly difficult.
Some people notice an aching pain after sitting for long periods, while others feel discomfort when standing, bending, or lifting. As the discs continue to change, nearby joints may experience additional stress, and in some cases, a damaged disc may begin pressing on a spinal nerve. When that happens, symptoms may extend beyond the back or neck. Pain can travel into the arms or legs, and some people experience numbness, tingling, or weakness that affects the way they move throughout the day.
Not everyone experiences the same progression. Some people have periods where symptoms improve before returning, while others notice a gradual increase in pain over several years.
Common Symptoms Of Degenerative Disc Disease In Fort Worth
Although chronic back or neck pain is often the most noticeable symptom, Degenerative Disc Disease can affect people in several different ways.
Pain in the lower back may become worse after sitting for extended periods, lifting heavy objects, or twisting the body. Some patients describe discomfort that spreads into the hips, buttocks, or legs when nearby nerves become irritated.
When the condition affects the cervical spine, symptoms may include neck pain, headaches, stiffness, or discomfort that travels into the shoulders, arms, or hands. Many people also notice that their mobility changes over time. They may avoid bending, turning, or exercising because they expect those movements to hurt. Eventually, that reduced activity can contribute to muscle weakness and make everyday tasks feel even more difficult.
When Home Care May Be Enough
Not every episode of back or neck pain requires medical treatment. Mild symptoms sometimes improve with temporary activity modification, gentle stretching, regular walking, or physical therapy exercises recommended by a healthcare professional.
Paying attention to posture, creating an ergonomic workspace, and staying active can also help reduce stress on the spine for some individuals. However, if pain continues returning or becomes part of your daily routine, it may be time to look beyond home care and find out what’s causing your symptoms.
Conservative Treatment Often Comes First
Most patients diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease begin with non-surgical treatment. The goal is to reduce pain, improve movement, and strengthen the muscles that help support the spine.
Physical therapy is often an important part of treatment because it focuses on improving flexibility, strengthening the core, and teaching movement patterns that place less stress on the spine.
Depending on your symptoms, a physician may also recommend medication or spinal injections to help reduce inflammation or manage pain. Lifestyle changes, including regular low-impact exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco use, may also support long-term spine health. Many patients experience meaningful improvement with these approaches and never require surgery.
When It’s Time To See A Physician
While occasional soreness is common, persistent symptoms deserve attention. If your pain lasts more than a few weeks, continues getting worse, or keeps returning despite rest and conservative care, it may be time to speak with a physician. The same is true if pain begins interfering with sleep, work, exercise, or everyday activities.
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs should also be evaluated, particularly if those symptoms continue to progress. Some symptoms require more immediate medical attention. Changes in bladder or bowel control, increasing difficulty with balance, or significant weakness should never be ignored.
Seeking an evaluation does not automatically mean surgery is necessary. It simply allows a physician to determine what’s causing your symptoms and discuss treatment options before the condition potentially becomes more limiting.
What Happens During A Spine Evaluation?
Many patients are surprised to learn that a spine evaluation begins with a conversation. Your physician will ask when your symptoms started, where you feel pain, which activities make it worse, and how it affects your daily life. They’ll also review your medical history, previous injuries, and any treatments you’ve already tried.
A physical examination helps evaluate strength, flexibility, sensation, reflexes, balance, and range of motion. Depending on your symptoms, imaging such as X-rays or MRI scans may also be recommended to understand better what’s happening inside the spine. Together, this information helps your physician determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the treatment approach that best fits your needs.
When Spine Surgery May Become An Option
Although many people with Degenerative Disc Disease improve without surgery, there are situations where surgical treatment may be considered.
If conservative treatment no longer provides enough relief, pain continues to interfere with daily life, or nerve compression is causing progressive weakness or numbness, surgery may become part of the conversation.
Depending on the underlying condition, procedures such as a discectomy, decompression surgery, or spinal fusion may be recommended.
For patients whose Degenerative Disc Disease has progressed to the point that surgery may be appropriate, Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital Fort Worth offers a variety of spine surgery procedures. Learn more about available treatment options by visiting the Spine Surgery page.
Finding Care For Degenerative Disc Disease In Fort Worth
Living with ongoing back or neck pain can gradually affect almost every part of your life, from how you work and exercise to how well you sleep at night. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease in Fort Worth, speaking with a physician can help you better understand what’s causing your pain and which treatment options may be appropriate for your situation.
Sources
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “Low Back Pain.” | https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/low-back-pain/
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “Cervical Radiculopathy.” | https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/cervical-radiculopathy-pinched-nerve/
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “Spinal Fusion.” | https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/spinal-fusion/
Mayo Clinic. “What Is Degenerative Disk Disease?” | https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-what-is-degenerative-disk-disease/
Cleveland Clinic. “Degenerative Disk Disease.” | https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16912-degenerative-disk-disease
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital Fort Worth. “Spine Surgery.” | https://bshfw.com/spine-surgery/