Degenerative disc disease is a condition where the intervertebral discs, acting as a cushion between spine vertebrae, deteriorate. This deterioration results in numerous complications, such as bone spurs or formation of osteophytes.

Disc degeneration with osteophyte formation is most commonly referred to as arthritis. Osteophytes cause pain and limit joint movement. In most cases, spurs are not the cause of back pain, rather are a symptom of a deeper issue. But bone spurs on the spinal column can cause nerve impingement, which impacts other body parts.

How does degenerative disc cause osteophyte formation?

Disc degeneration
The intervertebral spinal discs lose hydration and elasticity with increasing age and undergo wear and tear. This causes a reduction of height and elasticity of the disc, thereby causing the vertebrae to become close to each other.

Instability of the spine
The decreased height and changing biomechanics cause spinal segment instability. This causes the body to attempt to stabilize the spine.

Formation of osteophyte
The body responds to this instability through the formation of bone spurs or osteophytes in the vertebral edge. These bone spurs are formed because of the enhanced formation of the bone under the effect of mechanical stress and inflammations at the disc degeneration site.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of degenerative disc that leads to osteophyte formation is pain. Some of the other symptoms include:

• Numbness in legs and arms
• Pain that becomes worse while sitting, bending, lifting, etc.
• Pain radiating to the neck, hands, and arms, which becomes worse while lifting, pulling, or pushing
• Severe pain that comes and goes

Treatment options for degenerative-causing osteophyte formation

Laminectomy
It is a common process that eliminates a portion called lamina for the creation of space in the area that is impacted because of a bulging disc. This procedure is a spinal decompression surgical intervention, where a small part of the lamina is eliminated for accessing disc herniation, taking the pressure off the nerves and the spinal cord for relief from pain.

Lumbar fusion
In this procedure, the damaged disc is removed from the lumbar spine and the vertebrae are fused using an armored implant, thereby creating strong support.

Disc replacement
When the disc leads to spinal cord compression or nerve root, one of the best options is replacement. The disc is replaced with another disc to regain disc space movement.

Fusion of anterior cervical disc
Here, the disc that is damaged in the neck is eliminated, which gives relief from pain and pressure. Then a secured implant is placed, thus repairing it.

Radio frequency ablation
This process makes use of high-energy radio frequency for ablation of troubled nerves, mainly for elimination of pain.

Proper understanding of the link between degenerative disc diseases and the formation of osteophytes is important for the right management of conditions and enhancement of overall quality of life. Diagnosis at the right time and a combination of traditional methods and surgery, if required, can assist in managing symptoms and slowing down the disease progression.

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