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Degenerative Disc Disease
- About Dr. Albert P.
Los Angeles Degenerative Disc Disease Specialist
Dr. Albert P. Wong is a spine specialist and neurosurgeon in Beverly Hills and Greater Los Angeles, providing expert care for patients with degenerative disc disease. He treats cervical spine degeneration, lumbar disc degeneration, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and facet joint arthritis. Diagnostic tools include MRI, CT scans, X-rays, and neurological exams to assess disc integrity and spinal alignment. Treatments focus on physical therapy, epidural injections, and minimally invasive surgery to relieve pain, restore nerve function, and improve spinal mobility to increase a patient’s quality of life.
- What It Is
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition where intervertebral discs in the cervical spine or lumbar spine lose hydration, elasticity, and structural integrity over time. Disc deterioration can lead to reduced spinal flexibility, disc height loss, and increased stress on facet joints and spinal nerves.
Disc dehydration reducing shock absorption.
Disc herniation or bulging compressing spinal nerves.
Facet joint degeneration contributing to stiffness and discomfort.
Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal.
Osteophyte formation (bone spurs) affecting nerve roots.
DDD can cause chronic neck or back discomfort, limit spinal mobility, and increase risk of nerve compression. Early diagnosis using MRI, CT scans, and X-rays allows targeted treatment to preserve spinal function and maintain mobility.
Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment Los Angeles, CA
Relieve pain and restore spinal function with Dr. Albert P. Wong, Los Angeles specialist in degenerative disc disease treatment using personalized, minimally invasive care.
Common Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) affects the cervical spine and lumbar spine, causing structural changes in intervertebral discs and facet joints. Symptoms often result from reduced disc height, nerve compression, and spinal instability.
Common signs include:
Chronic neck or back pain worsening with activity
Radiating pain into the shoulder, arm, buttock, or leg
Stiffness and limited spinal mobility
Muscle weakness due to nerve root compression
Numbness or tingling along affected nerve pathways
Early recognition and evaluation using MRI, CT scans, or X-rays help determine the severity of disc degeneration and guide targeted treatments to relieve pain, restore nerve function, and improve spinal mobility.
Causes of Disc Degeneration
Disc degeneration occurs when intervertebral discs in the cervical spine or lumbar spine lose hydration, elasticity, and structural integrity over time. Multiple factors contribute to accelerated disc wear and tear.
Common causes include:
Age-related degeneration, naturally reducing disc height and shock absorption
Herniated or bulging discs increasing pressure on facet joints and spinal nerves
Spinal stenosis narrowing the spinal canal
Repetitive strain or heavy lifting stressing cervical and lumbar discs
Obesity adding load to spinal structures
Genetic predisposition making discs more prone to degeneration
Identifying the underlying cause allows spine specialists to design effective treatment plans focused on reducing nerve compression, restoring spinal function, and slowing further disc deterioration.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Diagnosis of degenerative disc disease (DDD) involves evaluating cervical and lumbar spine structures using MRI, CT scans, X-rays, and neurological exams to assess disc health, nerve compression, and spinal alignment.
Treatment options include:
Physical therapy to strengthen spinal muscles, improve posture, and enhance mobility.
Medications and epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation around nerve roots.
Minimally invasive procedures, such as microdiscectomy or disc decompression, to relieve nerve compression.
Surgical interventions, including spinal fusion or artificial disc replacement, for severe disc degeneration or persistent nerve symptoms.
Early evaluation and targeted treatment by a spine specialist help relieve pain, restore nerve function, and maintain spinal mobility.
When to See a Spine Specialist
Consult a spine specialist in Los angeles for cervical or lumbar disc degeneration with persistent spinal pain, radiating arm or leg pain, numbness or weakness in extremities, or restricted spinal motion.
Spinal injury or worsening nerve compression requires urgent evaluation. Early assessment identifies herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or facet joint degeneration, enabling timely intervention to restore spinal alignment and nerve function.
- Get Appointment
Consult Dr. Albert Wong for Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment
Consult Dr. Albert P. Wong, spine specialist and neurosurgeon in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, for expert evaluation and treatment of degenerative disc disease to relieve pain and restore spinal function.
- Faqs
Degenerative Disc Disease FAQs
Answers to common questions about degenerative disc disease, spinal disc degeneration, causes, and treatment options.
Yes, nerve root compression from cervical or lumbar disc degeneration can radiate pain into the arms, hands, legs, or feet.
DDD commonly affects the lumbar spine due to weight-bearing stress but also occurs in the cervical spine, especially with age-related wear.
Yes, if underlying disc degeneration persists or new disc injury occurs, symptoms may return despite prior therapy or surgery.
Progression varies; some experience gradual deterioration over years, while others develop rapid disc changes after trauma or repetitive stress.
Yes, severe disc degeneration can reduce spinal support, increase facet joint stress, and lead to spinal instability, requiring specialist intervention.