Treatment For Degenerative Conditions In Greenville, SC

Nobody wants to spend their days and nights battling with pain. Yet, millions of Americans already are. Neck and back pain are common problems for a large percentage of the population. Those problems often become more severe as the patient ages. Degenerative conditions become more prevalent in the elderly. Many people who suffer from degenerative conditions believe that there is no cure and no relief.

At Carolina Spine & Pain, we treat patients with a variety of degenerative conditions daily. We utilize advanced chiropractic techniques, modern medicine, and minimally invasive surgical procedures to provide consistent relief. We help patients manage their pain even when it’s the symptom of a severe condition that cannot be cured.

Our friendly doctors believe that no person should have to spend their life living in pain. We strive to help patients from the Greenville, SC area so that they can return to a normal life. If you suffer from pain caused by a degenerative condition, then we want to help you too.

Call 864-513-8950 today to schedule your first appointment and get world-class treatment for degenerative conditions in Greenville, SC.

Table of Contents

What Are Degenerative Conditions?

A degenerative condition is one that causes tissues or organs to break down or stop functioning over time. The conditions often start with very mild symptoms and become progressively worse without treatment. Thus, seeking treatment for a potential condition should be a top priority. The sooner you begin treating your condition the easier it will be to manage the pain and reverse the effects on the body.

Degenerative conditions can affect nearly all systems in the body. However, at Carolina Spine & Pain, we specialize in conditions that impact the neck, joints, and spinal column. A few common examples include degenerative disc disease, arthritis, sciatica, peripheral neuropathy, and spinal stenosis. Each of these conditions affects the body in a unique way and requires a unique form of treatment.

What Are the Types of Symptoms Caused By Degenerative Conditions in the Joints, Discs, Bones, and Nerves?

Degenerative conditions that affect the joints, spinal discs, bones, and nerves can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Here are some common problems patients suffer from:

Bone Spurs

Also referred to as osteophytes, bone spurs are small segments of additional bone that often form in the joints where two bones make contact. Osteophytes can appear in the shoulders, neck, hands, knees, and spine. They are a common symptom of degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis where the cushioning between joints degrades. With less cushioning, the spurs can rub against other bones or nerves causing severe pain.

Grating Sensations When Using Joints

As degenerative conditions wear down the cartilage between joints they are more likely to make contact when moving. The sensation of bones grinding against one another can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. The accompanying sound is unsettling as well.

Severe Joint Pain

Joint pain is the most common symptom of a degenerative condition. The pain can be caused by numerous interactions, such as the grinding of bones or the pinching of nerves. Identifying the joint where the pain is originating makes it easier to provide accurate and reliable treatment. Our professionals have several options available for managing joint pain.

Loss of Flexibility

Reduced flexibility is commonly associated with aging. Degenerative diseases are one of the main reasons why seniors struggle with flexibility. A combination of pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints greatly reduces flexibility.

Limited Range of Movement

Those same symptoms also limit the patient’s overall range of movement. Patients who move less may also experience muscle loss or weight gain. These problems make the lack of flexibility and movement range even more severe.

Severe Inflammation

The human body does its best to fight back against degenerative conditions. Unfortunately, it often causes more pain through severe inflammation. In some conditions, the immune system may even attack the lining around the joints causing inflammation, pain, and swelling.

Deformed Joints

Degenerative conditions that persist without treatment can have severe lasting effects. One common symptom of long-term osteoarthritis is deformed joints. The deterioration of tendons and cartilage can cause joints to become crooked or noticeably deformed.

Pinched Nerves

A pinched nerve is one of the leading causes of pain when degenerative conditions are involved. The degradation can cause bones or bone spurs to press against nerves. In the spinal column, the discs between vertebrae can wear down causing the bones to push down against exposed nerves.

There are several options available for removing the pressure or preventing the nerve from sending pain signals. Other symptoms associated with a pinched nerve include numbness and weakness in a limb.

Pain in Both Legs

Pain is not always isolated to the joint where the problem exists. The network of nerves through the back, neck, and limbs is incredibly complex. Damage to nerves in the spinal column can lead to severe pain in both of the legs. This is commonly associated with degenerative conditions that affect the discs.

Paraesthesia

Paraesthesia is a commonly experienced burning sensation that can be felt in the legs, feet, arms, or hands. Most people have experienced a mild form of paresthesia at some point in their lives. However, when the condition is caused by a degenerative disease it can be much more painful than usual. Furthermore, burning and prickling sensations can persist for hours or days at a time.

Pain Linked to Specific Movement

It’s not uncommon for patients to remain relatively pain-free while in a stationary position. They only experience pain when they make a specific type of movement. This can be something simple like bending forward or turning to the side. This may be caused by a pinched nerve in the area of the joint responsible for the movement.

Intensified Pain in Specific Moments

In contrast, some patients experience pain when they remain stationary for prolonged periods of time. Their pain might also be linked to specific actions like coughing or sneezing. Understanding when the pain occurs makes it easier to provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Weakness in One or Both Legs

Weakness in an extremity is often associated with a pinched nerve. It may also be caused by osteoarthritis that has affected the knees. In this case, it is referred to as quadriceps weakness. This weakness is often made worse when patients avoid using their legs because of the associated pain.

Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control

This is a very rare symptom linked to degenerative conditions that occur in the lumbar spine. Particularly, a disc that has become herniated. The herniated disc can damage nearby nerves which sometimes leads to bladder dysfunction.

What Are Some of the Causes of Degenerative Conditions and Diseases?

Here are some of the causes and risk factors of degenerative conditions in your joints, neck, and spine:

Spinal Deformities

Scoliosis is one of the most common spinal deformities that can lead to a degenerative condition. Scoliosis can appear at a young age or develop over time with regular wear and tear on the spine.

Metabolic Disorders

Certain metabolic disorders like hemochromatosis can lead to excessive iron buildup in the body. This can damage numerous organs and lead to the development of a degenerative disease.

Joint Abnormalities

Genetic joint abnormalities can progress the development of degenerative conditions by causing excessive wear and tear of the joints.

Obesity

Some studies place obesity prevalence in the US at 42 percent. Obesity is a serious contributing factor to many harmful health conditions including many degenerative diseases.

Sport or Accident-Related Injuries

A vast majority of our patients visit us after suffering a serious injury. These injuries often occur during sports, at work, or while driving a vehicle. They can cause serious damage to the neck, spine, and other joints in the body.

Hormonal Disorders

Hormones are responsible for pushing the immune system to repair damaged joints. Severe hormonal disorders can lead to inflammation of joints that do not properly heal over time.

Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy involves mutated genes that affect protein production in the body. This leads to a loss of muscle mass and increased weakness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is another form of arthritis that can cause severe damage to the joints and cartilage. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to the development of a degenerative condition like osteoarthritis.

Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) includes a range of disorders that affect red blood cells. Sickle cell anemia is a well-known SCD that causes normally-circular blood cells to take on a crescent moon shape.

Overuse of Joints

Repetitive strain on the joints is another leading factor attributed to degenerative conditions. Patients who have worked in the same position for decades often experience joint damage in the areas of their body used the most.

Bone Disorders

There are many different bone disorders that can lead to the development of a degenerative disease. Some examples include osteoporosis, Rickets, and Paget’s disease of bone.

Post-Trauma Conditions

Certain conditions like arthritis can develop quickly following trauma directly on the joint. In contrast, the condition normally develops over a prolonged period.

Heavy or Incorrect Lifting

Workers who do not take a proper stance when lifting heavy objects are far more likely to experience joint damage. Many of our patients struggle with pain that was caused as a result of their daily workload.

Repetitive Twisting

This is another common cause that is often associated with the workplace. Regular twisting to move objects from one line to another can wear down on the cartilage between joints.

Smoking

Smoking has been linked to countless health conditions. Research shows that it is responsible for many conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, such as degenerative disc disease.

What Treatments Does Carolina Spine & Pain Offer for Degenerative Conditions?

At Carolina Spine & Pain, our expert team takes the time to come up with the best treatment for degenerative conditions in Greenville, SC. Our treatments include:

Medication (Over-the-Counter and Prescription)

Determining the proper medication for individualized pain management is one of our most important tasks. The right medication can help control and prevent pain long after you’ve left the center. However, not all pain medication works the same. Choosing the right medication requires understanding the unique nature of the pain and what degenerative condition is causing it.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) relies on modern technology to alter functions inside the body while remaining minimally invasive. The first step is to identify the source of the pain. From there, our doctors use a radiofrequency needle to create a heat source on the local nerves. The heat from the needle causes the nerve to stop sending signals to the brain. This can provide long-lasting pain relief for up to a year.

Nerve Blocks

Similar to RFA, nerve blocks help manage pain by preventing nerves from sending the necessary pain signals. The difference is that nerve blocks do not rely on heating the affected nerve. Instead, an injection is applied to the inflamed nerve. The injection reduces the inflammation as well as the pain transmissions sent by the nerve.

Spinal Cord Stimulator

A spinal cord stimulator is a small implant that is typically placed near the bottom of the spine. The surgery is very mild and most patients do not need to spend the night in the hospital.

The patient is given an external control that allows them to send small amounts of electricity into the spinal cord. This electricity disrupts nerve signals and can provide significant pain relief. Patients can test the stimulator system for a trial period before committing to the implant.

Injections

Various injections can be used to reduce pain and control nerve signals. Patients with osteoarthritis might be prescribed injections that contain steroids and hyaluronic acid. Some common examples include Synvisc-One and Euflexxa.

Orthopedic Surgery

This covers a broad range of surgical operations that can help manage pain and treat the degenerative disease at its core. Some of the common orthopedic surgeries include a discectomy, lumbar spinal fusion, and a corpectomy. Many patients can experience relief without the need for surgery.

Kyphoplasty

This is a specific type of minimally invasive surgery that is used in patients who suffer from spinal compression. Compression is a frequent side effect of degenerative conditions. Kyphoplasty helps produce space between the vertebrae, which alleviates pressure on nearby nerves.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Finally, we may utilize a broad range of chiropractic adjustments to help patients manage their pain. For example, the Cox Flexion technique helps patients who are suffering from spinal compression. But, unlike the kyphoplasty procedure, the Cox Flexion technique does not require any form of surgery.