What is multilevel degenerative disc disease?

What is multilevel degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease is a condition that is categorized by a gradual deterioration and thinning of the shock-absorbing intervertebral discs in your spine. In some cases, disc generation is contained to one overstressed disc, but more often, disc degeneration occurs at multiple levels throughout the spine.

When do you know you have multilevel degenerative disc disease?

When the spongy discs that cushion the spine as it moves deteriorate in more than one location along the spine, it’s referred to as multilevel degenerative disc disease. Los Angeles spine surgeons note that since DDD is slow and progressive in nature, most patients only realize it’s a problem once they start to experience recurring pain.

What is multilevel degenerative spondylotic change in cervical MRI?

Multilevel disc desiccation, loss of disc height and degenerative anterior marginal end plate osteophytic spurring. Multilevel facet joint degenerative arthropathy. No suspicious bone marrow signal abnormality. No paravertebral soft tissue abnormality.

Can a MRI show degenerative disease of the spine?

MRI clearly depicts such degenerative phenomena to a superior degree than other imaging modalities.

What does surgery for multilevel spinal degenerative disc disease mean?

The operation is designed to stabilize the spine and protect any structures that could be affected by future degeneration. Your surgeon will walk you through your options and expectations should you need surgery for you multilevel degenerative disc disease.

How is disc degeneration classified on an MRI?

Disc degeneration can be graded on MRI T2 spin-echo weighted images using a grading system proposed by Pfirrmann 1. This classification is not used on routine spine reports, being more important for research purposes. A modified classification was proposed in 2007 by Griffith et al. 2. 1.

Where does multilevel spinal degenerative disc disease occur?

Multilevel degenerative disc disease can occur at any level of the spine, in the cervical region (neck), the thoracic region (upper/mid-back) or the lumbar region (lower back).

What are the MRI results of lumbar lordosis?

MRI findings like lumbar lordosis, Schmorl’s nodes, decreased disc height, disc annular tear, disc herniation, disc bulge, disc protrusion and disc extrusion were observed. Narrowing of the spinal canal, lateral recess and neural foramen with compression of nerve roots observed. Ligamentum flavum thickening and facetal arthropathy was observed.

When to have surgery for multilevel degenerative disc disease?

If none of the above conservative methods bring relief, you may be a candidate for surgery. The operation is designed to stabilize the spine and protect any structures that could be affected by future degeneration. Your surgeon will walk you through your options and expectations should you need surgery for you multilevel degenerative disc disease.