Adults have 33 vertebrae that make up the spinal column. Each of these vertebrae is protected by shock-absorbing cushions called spinal discs. As humans age, these discs can start to compress, break, or generally wear out. They can also get damaged when a person is injured – like in a car crash or fall. 

The natural wearing out of spinal discs is called Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). When multiple discs are worn out, leaving the person in pain, it is called Multilevel Degenerative Disc Disease.    

Learn more about this condition if you live with back pain and potentially have multilevel DDD. Understanding the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options can help you better understand your path forward. Working with an award-winning spinal neurosurgeon like Dr. Todd H. Lanman can help you reclaim your spinal health and preserve your range of motion so you can enjoy a pain-free life once again.   

 

What Causes Multilevel Degenerative Disc Disease?

Multilevel DDD has a variety of causes that don’t necessarily reflect the health and lifestyle of the patients it affects. Many young, active people develop symptoms of DDD just because they are predisposed to it. Here are a few common causes of this condition. 

Age-related changes 

It’s natural for the human body to break down as we age. Many people who develop DDD are over the age of 40, and this condition becomes even more common in people older than 65. Your spinal discs may be wearing out after decades of natural use.  There is often a family history of degenerative disc disease. 

Physical stress and lifestyle factors

The amount of stress you put on your spinal discs can affect your likelihood of developing multilevel DDD. People who are more likely to develop this condition have poor spinal hygiene (they slouch all day), or they may smoke, be overweight, or have a hard labor job that is rough on the body. Obesity is a potential cause of multilevel DDD because there is extra pressure placed on the spine throughout the day.  

Genetic predisposition

Researchers have known since the 1990s that DDD is hereditary. Some people are more likely to develop this condition because their relatives had it before them. Even if you take steps throughout your life to protect your spinal health, you may still develop DDD through genetics.   

 

Signs and Symptoms of Multilevel Degenerative Disc Disease

Your symptoms of multilevel DDD may start as minor back pain and then develop into more serious problems over time. This is because your spinal discs are wearing out and potentially pushing into your nerve canal, affecting multiple areas of your body. Here are a few common signs of DDD. 

  • Chronic back pain: This is defined as back pain that lasts several weeks and does not improve with rest or lifestyle changes. Your pain may be a dull throb or sharp, unexpected pangs. 
  • Radiating pain: Depending on the location of your DDD, the pain may radiate down your arms or legs, increasing your discomfort. 
  • Numbness or tingling: In some cases, you may feel a tingling sensation in your extremities, like your fingers and toes. You may also feel numbness in parts of your body because the spinal discs are affecting your nerve canal. 
  • Reduced flexibility and mobility: Discomfort can limit how eager you are to bend over, twist, or move around. This could reach a point where you can’t move comfortably or easily. 
  • Muscle weakness: Another sign of nerve disruption is muscle fatigue. This can occur in your back or down your arms or legs. 
  • Localized tenderness: The area around the affected discs may be sensitive to the touch or inflamed. 
  • Changes in posture: You may find yourself changing how you sit to accommodate your discomfort, potentially affecting your posture. 
  • Decreased range of motion: This is similar to your loss of mobility. You are unable to move comfortably or fully complete motions throughout the day. 

Many patients first experience back pain when they have multilevel DDD and then develop additional symptoms like the ones listed above. In some cases, they may also experience incontinence because the nerves in the lower spine are severely affected. 

How is Multilevel Degenerative Disc Disease diagnosed?

If you experience the above symptoms and suspect you may have DDD, you should request a consultation with Dr. Lanman or one of the experienced professionals in the Top Doctors Directory. Your doctor will do their best to get to the source of your back pain and develop a personalized treatment plan to support your spinal health.  

Diagnosis starts with a conversation about your symptoms and a physical examination. Your doctor wants to know how you feel day-to-day and what worsens your symptoms. To confirm the DDD, they may recommend imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans. These tests will give your doctor a clear view of your spinal discs and help them identify whether one or more is damaged. If more than one disc is wearing out, you may be diagnosed with multilevel DDD. 

Imaging tests confirm that your back pain isn’t caused by a single issue. Multiple spinal discs are causing discomfort and leaving you unable to enjoy life. 

 

Multilevel Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment Options

Once your doctor confirms you have multilevel DDD, they can form a treatment plan to address your symptoms and help you heal. It is rare for a doctor to provide a single treatment for multilevel DDD. Instead, they may combine several therapeutic steps to increase your chances of fully recovering. Here are a few options your doctor may consider. 

Conservative Treatments 

DDD treatment starts with basic treatments like hot and cold therapy, physical therapy exercises, pain medication, and inflammation treatment. Your doctor doesn’t mean to minimize your condition by starting with these options. They want to see how your body responds and if you feel more comfortable with non-invasive treatments. Your doctor might also want to immediately triage your pain to reduce discomfort before working toward more permanent solutions. 

Interventional Procedures 

The next step to address multilevel DDD is to complete injections that reduce your pain levels and inflammation. A spinal epidural could reduce your pain symptoms for a few weeks or a few months, allowing your body to heal. 

Your doctor may also recommend ablation, a procedure that uses heat to destroy tissue that is causing you pain. This treatment may be recommended if your spinal disc is pushing into your nerve canal, causing pain, numbness, tingling, and incontinence. 

Surgical Options 

If non-invasive treatments do not work, your doctor may recommend artificial disc replacement (ADR). This is an operation where one or more damaged discs are removed and replaced with durable artificial models. Multi-level disc replacement is possible and occurs when your doctor replaces multiple discs in one procedure. 

ADR is viewed as a long-term solution for multilevel DDD and a better option than spinal fusion. It is designed to preserve your range of motion so you can resume your favorite hobbies once you heal. It is also less invasive and has faster healing times than fusion surgery.

  

Meet With Dr. Lanman to Discuss Your Back Pain

Dull pain in your back can quickly progress into fatigue, numbness, and a reduced range of motion if left untreated. It is better to meet with a doctor and address the source of the pain before it becomes unbearable. Multilevel DDD is unlikely to go away on its own and may require interventional or surgical treatment. The earlier the Degenerative Disc Disease is caught, the more options you will have. 

Request a consultation with Dr. Lanman and receive the personalized care you deserve. Dr. Lanman is committed to helping patients find the best approach for their specific conditions so they can live long, active lives. His decades of experience as a spinal neurosurgeon, clinical researcher, and university professor attest to his dedication to patients. Make an appointment to see Dr. Lanman today

 

FAQs

What activities should be avoided with Degenerative Disc Disease?

Your doctor will give you multiple recommendations for what you can and cannot do with DDD. However, the main thing to focus on is sports and exercise. High-impact sports like running, basketball, and soccer are not recommended. Consider switching to low-impact alternatives like swimming and cycling instead. 

How long can you live with Multilevel Degenerative Disc Disease?

Some people live with DDD for decades. This condition can go unnoticed for many years or simply seem like dull back pain that is a natural part of aging. It’s not until the DDD starts to interfere with daily life that people seek medical treatment for their discomfort. 

How can you stop Degenerative Disc Disease from progressing?

While you cannot reverse DDD, you can reduce its progression by embracing healthy lifestyle decisions. Work on improving your posture and start doing low-impact exercises that support back and core health. You can also quit smoking, lose weight, and embrace healthy eating habits that give your body the nutrients it needs. 

Is Multilevel Disc Disease considered a serious condition?

Multilevel DDD is a serious condition that can negatively impact your life. The pain can make it impossible to work or enjoy your favorite hobbies. The reduced range of motion can limit your independence. Even small tasks, like feeding the dog or picking up a dropped item, can become painful and difficult. 

How quickly does DDD progress?

Every patient is unique, which means DDD progresses at different rates for each person. Some people can live with the condition for decades while other patients develop severe symptoms within a few years. Genetics, lifestyle, and habits all determine the rate at which DDD worsens. 

How can you treat multilevel degenerative changes in the spine?

There are multiple treatments for multilevel DDD. Your doctor will take steps to reduce your discomfort and inflammation through medication, physical therapy, and hot and cold treatments. If your symptoms persist, they may recommend injections or more invasive solutions like disc replacement surgery. 

Is heat helpful for multilevel disc degeneration?

Both hot and cold therapy can help alleviate discomfort created by multilevel DDD. A heating pad can relax sore muscles in your back while a cold press can reduce inflammation and sensitivity. Your doctor may recommend alternating between the two to support your multilevel DDD treatment. 

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