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Patient consulting with Dr. Reznikov about degenerative disc disease at Pain Treatment Center of Maryland Reisterstown

Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment in Reisterstown, MD

Reclaim Your Mobility and Comfort

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Common In:Adults 40+
Primary Causes:Aging, Wear, Genetics
Treatment Time:15-45 minutes
Results:Days to 3 weeks
Educational illustration of spinal disc anatomy at Pain Treatment Center of Maryland Reisterstown
Understanding Your Spine

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Recognizing the Signs

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition in which the intervertebral discs — the cushion-like structures between each vertebra — gradually lose hydration, height, and structural integrity. Despite its name, DDD is not technically a disease but a progressive deterioration of disc tissue that can produce chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced spinal mobility.

When you notice persistent back or neck pain that worsens after prolonged sitting, bending, or lifting, you may be experiencing the hallmark symptoms of disc degeneration. Many patients describe a deep, aching discomfort that intensifies with certain postures and temporarily improves with movement or position changes.

Living with degenerative disc disease often means modifying daily routines — avoiding activities you once enjoyed, struggling to find a comfortable sleeping position, or feeling decades older than your actual age. The unpredictable flare-ups can affect work productivity, exercise habits, and overall quality of life.

Illustration of spinal disc degeneration process at Pain Treatment Center of Maryland Reisterstown
The Science

Why Degenerative Disc Disease Happens

Understanding the Root Causes

Healthy intervertebral discs contain approximately 80% water at birth, providing essential shock absorption between vertebrae. Over time, disc cells lose their ability to retain moisture and produce new proteoglycans — the molecules responsible for drawing water into the disc nucleus. By age 60, disc water content can decline to less than 70%, significantly reducing cushioning capacity.

As discs lose hydration, they flatten and become less flexible, narrowing the space between vertebrae. This height loss places abnormal stress on the facet joints and surrounding ligaments, triggering inflammation and pain signals. The once-smooth disc surface develops small tears in the outer annulus fibrosus, which can irritate nearby spinal nerves.

Simultaneously, the reduced disc height alters spinal biomechanics. Adjacent vertebral segments compensate by bearing more load, accelerating wear in neighboring discs. This cascade effect explains why many patients with DDD develop multi-level involvement over time, particularly in the lumbar (L4-L5, L5-S1) and cervical regions.

Diagram showing facet joint anatomy and pain pathways at Pain Treatment Center of Maryland Reisterstown
Deeper Understanding

Facet Joint Involvement & Pain Pathways

How Disc Loss Triggers Facet Joint Pain

The facet joints are small stabilizing joints located at the back of each spinal segment. When intervertebral discs lose height, facet joints bear up to 70% more compressive load than normal. This overloading accelerates cartilage breakdown within the facet capsules, producing the arthritic changes commonly seen alongside degenerative disc disease.

Inflamed facet joints activate medial branch nerves — small sensory nerves that transmit pain signals from each spinal level to the brain. This is why DDD pain often feels diffuse and difficult to pinpoint: the medial branch nerves carry overlapping signals from multiple structures, creating a deep, aching quality distinct from the sharp, shooting pain of nerve root compression.

Over months and years, chronic facet inflammation can trigger muscle guarding and spasm in the paraspinal muscles. This protective response further restricts motion and creates a cycle of stiffness, reduced activity, and progressive deconditioning that compounds the original disc-related symptoms.

Lifestyle factors contributing to degenerative disc disease at Pain Treatment Center of Maryland Reisterstown
Contributing Factors

What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?

Risk Factors and Triggers

01

Natural Aging

Disc water content declines steadily after age 30, reducing shock absorption and flexibility with each decade.

02

Genetic Predisposition

Studies show up to 74% of disc degeneration risk is hereditary, affecting collagen composition and disc structure.

03

Repetitive Strain

Occupations involving heavy lifting, prolonged sitting, or vibration exposure accelerate wear on lumbar discs.

04

Obesity

Excess body weight increases axial loading on the spine, compressing discs beyond their designed capacity.

05

Smoking

Nicotine constricts blood vessels supplying the disc, starving cells of oxygen and nutrients needed for repair.

06

Previous Injury

Spinal trauma, even minor, can damage the annulus fibrosus and initiate premature degeneration at the affected level.

Dr. Tatyana Reznikov and Pain Treatment Center of Maryland team in modern clinic Reisterstown
Why Choose Us

Why Choose Pain Treatment Center of Maryland

Expert Spine Care in Reisterstown

  • Board-Certified PM&R Specialist
  • Precision Diagnostics
  • Minimally Invasive Approach
  • Individualized Treatment Plans

Treatment Options for Degenerative Disc Disease

Compare Available Interventions

Treatment Best For Session Time Results Timeline Maintenance
Medial Branch Block Diagnosing facet-mediated pain and short-term relief 15-20 minutes 24-72 hours (diagnostic), 1-3 months (therapeutic) As needed for flare-ups
Radiofrequency Ablation Long-term facet joint pain relief after positive diagnostic block 30-45 minutes 2-4 weeks to full effect Every 9-18 months as nerves regenerate
Epidural Steroid Injection Nerve root inflammation and radiating pain from disc herniation 15-30 minutes 3-7 days to peak relief Up to 3 per year as needed
Patient describing back pain symptoms to Dr. Reznikov at Pain Treatment Center of Maryland Reisterstown
Is This You?

Signs You May Have Degenerative Disc Disease

When to Seek Professional Evaluation

  • Chronic Low Back Pain
  • Pain With Bending or Twisting
  • Morning Stiffness
  • Pain Relief With Position Changes
  • Radiating Discomfort
  • Reduced Range of Motion
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Degenerative Disc Disease

Answers From Dr. Reznikov

01 What is degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease is a condition where the intervertebral discs gradually lose hydration and structural integrity over time. Despite its name, it is not a disease but a natural aging process that becomes symptomatic when disc breakdown causes pain, stiffness, or nerve irritation. Most adults show some degree of disc degeneration on imaging by age 40.

02 Is degenerative disc disease the same as a herniated disc?

No. Degenerative disc disease refers to the gradual breakdown and drying of disc tissue, while a herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material pushes through a tear in the outer disc wall. However, the two conditions are related — degenerated discs are more susceptible to herniation because their weakened structure is prone to tears under stress.

03 Can degenerative disc disease be treated without surgery?

Yes. The majority of patients with degenerative disc disease respond well to non-surgical interventions. At Pain Treatment Center of Maryland, Dr. Reznikov uses minimally invasive procedures such as medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation to target the specific nerves transmitting pain, providing significant relief without the risks and recovery time associated with surgery.

04 What injections help degenerative disc disease?

Several injection-based treatments can help manage DDD pain. Medial branch blocks deliver anesthetic to the nerves supplying the facet joints to both diagnose and treat facet-related pain. Epidural steroid injections reduce inflammation around irritated nerve roots. Radiofrequency ablation uses heat energy to disrupt pain signals from facet joint nerves for longer-lasting relief.

05 How does radiofrequency ablation help with facet joint pain?

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses controlled heat delivered through a specialized needle to create a small lesion on the medial branch nerve, interrupting its ability to transmit pain signals. The procedure is performed after a successful diagnostic medial branch block confirms the facet joints as the pain source. Relief typically lasts 9 to 18 months until the nerve regenerates.

06 How is degenerative disc disease diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation including medical history review, physical examination, and imaging studies such as X-rays or MRI. Dr. Reznikov also uses diagnostic medial branch blocks — if numbing the facet joint nerves eliminates your pain, it confirms the facet joints as the primary pain generator and guides further treatment decisions.

07 Will degenerative disc disease get worse over time?

Disc degeneration is a progressive process, but symptom severity does not always correlate with the degree of structural change visible on imaging. Many patients stabilize with appropriate treatment, activity modification, and strengthening exercises. Interventional procedures like RFA can break the pain cycle and allow patients to remain active, which helps slow further progression.

08 How long does recovery take after a medial branch block or RFA?

Medial branch blocks are outpatient procedures with minimal downtime — most patients return to normal activities the same day. Radiofrequency ablation may cause mild soreness at the treatment site for 1 to 2 weeks. Dr. Reznikov provides specific aftercare instructions tailored to each procedure and your individual recovery needs.

Location116 Westminster Pike, Suite 106
Reisterstown, MD, 21136
Emailzalina@ptcofmd.com
Phone(410) 833-1011
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Scientific References

  1. PubMed (PMID: 16540367) - Luoma K, et al. Low back pain in relation to lumbar disc degeneration. Spine. 2000;25(4):487-492. MRI study demonstrating significant association between disc degeneration and low back pain episodes.
  2. PubMed (PMID: 19468085) - Battié MC, et al. The Twin Spine Study: contributions to a changing view of disc degeneration. Spine J. 2009;9(1):47-59. Landmark twin study establishing that genetic factors account for up to 74% of disc degeneration variance.
  3. PubMed (PMID: 25009200) - Cohen SP, et al. Randomized placebo-controlled study evaluating lateral branch radiofrequency denervation for sacroiliac joint pain. Anesthesiology. 2008;109(2):279-288. Evidence supporting radiofrequency ablation efficacy for spinal pain management.
  4. PubMed (PMID: 17873417) - Manchikanti L, et al. Effectiveness of therapeutic lumbar facet joint nerve blocks in managing chronic low back pain. Pain Physician. 2007;10(3):425-440. Controlled evaluation of medial branch blocks for facet-mediated chronic low back pain.
  5. PubMed (PMID: 31399468) - Brinjikji W, et al. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015;36(4):811-816. Large review demonstrating high prevalence of disc degeneration on imaging in pain-free individuals.