Orthopedic Spine Specialists
Offered at McLaren Macomb
Aching, debilitating or worsening pain in your arms or legs can be symptomatic of degenerative disc disease, a very common spinal condition.
Caused by the degradation of the rubber-like discs cushioning the vertebra of the spine, degenerative disc disease can lead to potentially very painful bone-on-bone contact.
Discs shrink and degenerate through normal wear and tear and pain can worsen over time. Symptoms include:
- Radiating pain in the legs, thighs or buttocks that worsens when standing
- Pain in the arms or a numbness/tingling sensation in the hands
- Back pain that worsens when standing or sitting or when twisting and lifting
- Numbness or tingling in the extremities
- Some might experience no symptoms at all
An MRI is required to confirm the diagnosis. Severe cases may require surgery to remove the diseased disc and replace it with an artificial implant.
Utilizing minimally invasive techniques, McLaren orthopedic surgeons specializing in spinal surgery can significantly decreases the size of the incision with less soft tissue damage than required in the traditional approach.
This leads to less surgical time, less blood loss and a lower infection rate, resulting in a quicker recovery and less of a need for post-op pain medications, getting the patient up and walking sooner and a quicker return to activity.
To make an appointment with McLaren Macomb Orthopedic Surgery to discuss your back pain, call (586) 493-3890.