Disc desiccation, often referred to as disc dehydration, is a common form of disc degeneration and a typical consequence of aging. Despite its concerning name, disc desiccation is a gradual process that becomes clinically significant when a patient starts experiencing symptoms such as pain, reduced mobility, and neurological problems due to degenerated spinal discs.
Understanding Disc Desiccation
Spinal discs are critical components of the spine, serving as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. Each disc has a tough outer layer, called the annulus fibrosis, and a gel-like inner core known as the nucleus pulposus. The nucleus pulposus contains complex sugars that attract and retain water, giving the disc its elasticity and shock-absorbing properties. This hydration helps the disc adapt to physical stress and reduces the risk of injury.
As we age, the discs lose moisture and become less flexible. This process, known as disc desiccation, results in the nucleus pulposus being replaced by less flexible fibrocartilage, making the disc stiffer and less effective at absorbing shocks. This decrease in flexibility and cushioning can lead to various issues, including disc herniation, narrowing of the spinal foramen, and nerve compression.
Why Does This Matter?
Disc desiccation affects the flexibility and spacing between vertebrae, potentially leading to nerve compression. Although the discs themselves are not innervated, damaged or swollen discs can press on surrounding nerves, causing pain in areas such as:
- Upper back
- Shoulder
- Neck
- Arm
- Chest
- Buttocks
- Legs
Symptoms of disc desiccation may include pain, tingling sensations, numbness, and weakness in the affected areas. It’s crucial to differentiate disc desiccation from other spinal issues, such as bone spurs or spinal tumors, as treatment approaches may vary.
What Causes Disc Degeneration?
Disc desiccation is, in most cases, a gradual process that begins with aging. However, that does not mean it is exclusive to the elderly. Far from it – a study in the Journal of Bioequivalence and Bioavailability showed that over 10 percent of patients under 50 years of age presenting with back trauma also experienced significant disc dehydration, possibly due to recurring physical stressors. While the spine can adapt to physical resistance, overuse of the spine is still easily possible.
The intervertebral discs are a largely avascular body part (meaning, they do not receive a steady blood supply), which slows healing and physical adaptations to stress. As much as physical stress can contribute to disc desiccation, aging is the ultimate cause. That does not mean that disc desiccation is inevitable for everyone, far from it. Protective factors slow the onset of degenerative disc disease (DDD), including disc desiccation, and help patients with existing disc problems continue to improve their quality of life and reduce pain symptoms.
How Does Disc Desiccation Begin?
Aside from aging, disc desiccation may begin after:
- Repeated back strain.
- Physical trauma from a major fall, accident, or incident.
- Sudden weight loss and fluid loss, including malnourishment or eating disorders.
- During or as a result of worsening ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis that affects the spine, causing inflammation in the vertebrae).
Comprehensive pain management can effectively address and relieve disc desiccation pain and discomfort. If you are experiencing one-sided back or leg pain, chronic back pain, or long-lasting and severe back pain, visit a medical professional for a diagnosis. Specific symptoms warrant emergency help, including:
- Severe nausea.
- Loss of feeling in the legs or arms.
- Loss of bowel and/or bladder control.
- Back pain coupled with a sudden fever.
Treatments for Disc Desiccation
Treatment for disc desiccation may depend on the cause of the problem, concurrent health conditions, and potential risk factors. Your doctor may recommend short-term and long-term pain management strategies to address your risk factors and improve your symptoms. A treatment plan for disc desiccation may include:
- Pain management: A comprehensive pain management plan may include over-the-counter or prescription medication, learning which postures to avoid, improving posture and mobility at work, mobility aids, hot/cold therapy, and more.
- Physical therapy: A personalized physical therapy plan, via the supervision of a trained rehab specialist, can help you stabilize the spine by strengthening the surrounding musculature, significantly reducing the risk of future pain due to disc degeneration.
- Nerve blocks and injections: Corticosteroid injections and anesthetic nerve blocks can temporarily alleviate pain by reducing swelling and directly cutting off the link between the compressed nerves and the brain. Sometimes, a specialized nerve block or radiofrequency ablation may be necessary if the compression damages the nerve. This block destroys the affected portion of the nerve and allows it to regrow.
- Spinal fusion surgery: In rare cases, disc desiccation may require surgery, including spinal fusion. A spinal fusion surgery merges two or more vertebrae into one spinal body if the disc in between is severely compromised. Spinal fusion surgery involves a surgeon removing the desiccated disc, applying a bone graft, then inserting a specialized frame. The frame keeps the two vertebrae stable as they heal and fuse.
Preventing Disc Desiccation
It is said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, which is valid for disc desiccation. Diet, exercise, and avoiding lifestyle choices like smoking and drinking can mitigate the risk of disc desiccation. Despite this, disc desiccation is ultimately a normal part of aging. Disc herniation, disc desiccation, and other degenerative disc issues are common in nearly all age groups, although often asymptomatic. Symptomatic cases become statistically more likely with advanced age.
We cannot keep our bodies from breaking down with time. But we can minimize these changes’ impact on our quality of life through exercise and other healthy habits. Keeping yourself hydrated, keeping your core strong, improving spinal stability, and avoiding drugs like tobacco and alcohol can reduce pain symptoms, even in the event of disc desiccation or herniation.
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