Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease: Part 1: Symptoms and Imaging 

my back surgery was the biggest mistake I ever made.. loss 75 percent of my left leg.. pain is worse.. etc etc..it does work for some people..God bless..I found out who my true friends family are...Amen...

I'm a doctor undergoing physician training and i cant tell you how great these videos are. The simplicity of the videos makes complicated pathologies so easy to understand. I feel like spinal disease is something that is generally taught poorly. Would love to see a series directed towards doctors you're an amazing teacher!!

I'm 32 and I was diagnosed last year with DDD. A year after physical therapy and I still experience back pains

Perhaps a video explaining the options of thoracic back pain & available treatments would be so helpful. Thank you

This information is very helpful. Had a spinal fusion done of my L4/L5- S1 with titanium hardware and is suffering from spasms, discomfort and pain in the lower back radiating down my hips and thighs. Haven’t been able to work since late 2016 until now and been diagnosed with everything you’re explaining. Having a very hard time coping with not being able to exercise and limited mobility. I fully understand what is happening and why. Thank you very much for this information.😊

Thank you. Now I don’t feel so guilty about needing to lie down because of pain.

You explains things so clearly. Thank you for sharing your knowledge

I just had an Xray as well as MRI. I only have results for my X ray and said the most prominent thing is L5- S1 degeneration. My leg has been weak and pain started in my knee.

Outstanding clip. I have a Schmorl’s Node at L4-L5. I’ve had success with PT but hopeful that over the next 7 to 10yrs my L5 will bone will regenerate and push that node back up

A doctor that didnt even spend time with my entire spine. Lumbar in particular.

As someone who just was told they have a degenerative disk, the comments, and this video broke me. I’m going in tomorrow for a full diagnosis and I wish I had waited until after tomorrow to watch this video.

Excellent video! Thank you for explaining on a patient level.

How is it that I can get more information about my back and back pain from a few minute YT video than I can from my actual Dr? I swear to God my Dr seems like he could care less, and it just seems like I’m a nuisance to him when I come in. So frustrating

Thanks for sharing this video!

@Dr. Brian Su - The Spine Guy can You please do a video regarding a vacuum Phenomenon in the lumbar?

Ok, but what do I do if I have a bulging disc at the age of 21 which shows a disc desiccation. How should I picture the future at 50-60 but in severe pain. Would I be able to play football or have an office job or that is perpetuating the problem...I dont even know how to behave and pick a future job because of this.

Thank you. Very well explained. From Durban South Africa

i have ddd real bad l1 thrul5 i have bonespurs my cord is compressed n my tharcal sac is compressed to5.6 mm n i have another sac enlarged to 8.3 mm n in thecervical spine i have three rupted dic nbone spurs most serve c3 thru c6 im going to see dr chu in carbondale for surgical options n i enjoyed your pic of the spine danny god bless you

I need a solution to the pain I feel in my neck and lower back after being diagnosed with DDD over a year ago. I am 45 and still has alot ahead of me.

("...if the discs are losing their height...they're likely bowing out so that they're impinging nerves?...")

I'm 46 diagnosed with 2 degenerating disc. Middle of back. Lower back. The one in lower back doesn't hurt across lower back. It is centralized. Hurts like hell. The one in the middle of my spine I occasionally feel.

Thank you very much Dr. that was really helpful video.

sir im in army form India, i have l5 and s1 disc protrusion (ddd) with mildly instability. my doctor only had open discectomy, after 2 month of operation have now new symptoms like electrik shock pain same position and pelvis pain, some time it spreed lower addomen, Sir kindly reply what is my condition.

Doctor said the gaps between the lumbar spine is large what is the options I have?

I’m 47 and just found out that I have degenerative disk disease I’m was also diagnosed with menopause this year and man the lower back pain is killing me.. so I have to wait to contact a orthopedic surgeon in the next few days because it’s a holiday weekend… I still can’t believe this and at my age.. omg!!.. help!!

how do u explain ppl in their 80s and 90s who don’t have spine deterioration/degeneration and have no spinal issues?

Last month I found put I have ddd in my cervical spine due to neck pain leading me to a CT and an mri of neck. I also have herniated discs in cervical and lumbar spine which was found in past mri after auto accident. Now this March I developed burning and pins and needles in both feet and am getting a nerve conduction study next month to see if I can find out why. I've had lower back pain for past 5 years especially in si joint area and right hip which feels like tendinitis . I wonder if herniated disc or ddd is causing my burning feet, diabetes was already ruled out.

Thanks you are awesome!!!!

This video is so informative, I wonder what you think about choosing the spine stimulator for severe thoracic pain due to nerve pain,degeneration of the disc that causes pain in my low back as well. The worst pain is the thoracic area. I do live in Marin & are trying to find a new doctor in my area. Thank you.Suzanne

I just turned 19 in November and I have stage 2 spinal degeneration. It’s the worst

Thank you

How often do you come across lumbaeization of the s1? I have that along with degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis. Add chiari

Hi is it only surgery to treat lower back pain? I am 66 years old, my lower back pain start 12 years ago when I had L4 L5 dic plunged.

I have a friend urging me to try a chiropractor instead of a doctor , spine blocks and surgery in order to fix my spinal problems. I can hardly believe that spinal adjustments can fix spinal stenosis, bone spurs and scoliosis.

What about a patient with l5 and s1 fusion ? Can you giuys fix it ? How many fusion revision have recovery with a artifical dics before ?

Can you do a video on pesudoarthrosis cervical after 3 level acdf

Bad back pain is limiting to my life in every way. Medial branch block this coming week and all my hope is pinned on that. 🙏

Omg i love you to be my doctor. Ave just spent 11 days in hospital. Still in excruciating pain. I have L4 and sciatica.. Never had this in my life... My big toe can't move... Also I had this burning unbearable pain in my side going to my groin.. I felt it was on fire.. But no one interested in that.. The psin relief masking it a bit.. But i can't seem to work out this.. As it still there but not as severe. Can anyone help with answers to this please x jackie from Glasgow x

I’m 27 @ 6ft5 and I have this. It sucks because it prevents you from doing alot of stuff 😭

This helped me a lot. I have L4 L5 bulging disc that effects the sciatic nerve. Do you think Spinal Decompression works in getting the disc to go back into place?

Great explanation

my name is valrie is in the upper back up fo my neck below the neck going down

Very informative!

Had to have the last Ortho-disc surgery repaired by a Neuro so I could walk. C5 to T4, L4,L5,S1 all gone and L3 disk is going. Standing up is not easy. Got a shot in L3 but... Might need to do L3s nerves (disk is not bad)

Nice information sir thank u sir

Thank you for providing this information. I appreciate it. Is DD disease looked on as a no surgery disease if there is no direct nerve impingement, by the medical community or does it differ in prognosis outcome from surgeon to surgeon? Is it hard to differentiate between the different disc levels for a definitive diagnosis? Would you ever recommend discectomy with fusion for DD disease in today's world where it is almost impossible to get any pain medication and the patient has suffered for many many years with this disease or injury? How do you diagnose this by looking at a MRI as so many times the Xray is so detached from the actual pain that the patient has. And finally and most importantly, do you feel that there is any procedure out there right now that can help a person with DD disease that shows marginal degeneration, but is suspected of having a crack or tear in the disc? I would think that if there is severe degeneration these types of procedures, like DiscSeel, would not be possible to use? Or is it worthwhile to attempt to seal the disc and pump it up if possible? Sorry for the silly questions, but many of these are questions that I am trying to deal with as my situation now has become urgent as far as the need for some type of clinical action is required. I cannot go on much longer with this discomfort level and the inability to sit or do any type of physical activity. And I do realize you are not making any diagnosis but only answering general questions, if you do respond. thanks

Thank you so much, would you advice chiropractic treatment for DDD, stenosis and facet artritis ?

your Vedio helps me understand this DDD ...i have my companions who is now suffering from DDD...she just have only a hot compress every week... any advice? she undergone MRI and that's the findings DDD...

So what if you just... dont have a disc? Like it didn't disintegrate it just... was never there. Is that common?

Hello Doc, i need someone to read my mri to give insight as to how to heal conservatively. Know anyone? Orthopedic only wants to do epidural or disectomy.

Can't there be multiple causes of back pain ?! Isn't degenerative disk disease when your getting multiple disks being affected not just one or two for example my MRI show all five of my lumbar and up into my thoracic and when it's one or two it's just degenerative disk ?!

Was wondering if any back problems cause excessive hair growth in women?

Iam 37 yr old CLINICAL INFORMATION: Low back pain with numbness in the right leg and burning sensation. FINDINGS: Mild scoliosis of the lumbar spine with concavity to the left side. Spondylosis evident by endplate sclerosis and small marginal anterior osteophytes formation. Relatively posteriorly diminished L4/L5 and L5/S1 disc spaces. Mild subarticular sclerosis at the level of both sacroiliac joints more at the lower two thirds and at the iliac aspect and in the left side, likely due to ostitis condensans ilii.

iam 19 year and I have degenerative disc at l4-l5 and facet arthrosis at l3-l5 what to do

Can DDD be fixed surgically? I’ve lived with this pain for too long. I’ve tried it all. If so, where? Me and lots of other ppl would like this information. Thank you!

Hi Dr. Su, i been having lower back for many years. On MRI showed on of the disc started to see sign of blackened. In 2019 i had steriod injection which last only for 2-3months last month. Last week i did RFA fixing a slight slip disc and PRP injection on the blacked disc. After 4 days from the procedure, there is still pain. Im 41 yrs old actively playing football and running. Not sure what other treatment out there.

Thank you:) So informative👍I have recently been experiencing excruciating pain in my buttocks and have not been able to work for 2 weeks now. Saw an orthopedic surgeon & he took X-rays. He told me my L-5 disc was almost completely wasted away. I will be going for an MRI, but what he said after looking at the X-rays was that I would possibly need surgery. I would love if you provided information on what happens when a disc (for me L-5) is almost completely gone and is surgery usually/always necessary??? Thanks again!!!

I am only 30 but I was told by a doctor that I had this when I was about 24. What would cause me to develop this so young?

Can I make an appointment with you

I need to make contact with the doctor can someone assist.

Diagnosed at 18

Can i practice kathak dance with this condition

Thank you for the great explanations. Two questions: 1) Are there some ways to improve Lumbar Degenerative Disc? 2) Does Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease also cause pain in the hip, down the legs, and the foot? My husband is experiencing hip pain, but the X-ray result shows only Lumbar Degenerative Disc. Why is it?

The nerve between L5 and S1 is the S1 nerve. Just saying.

Hello DR. Su, will cold pack helps in reducing pain form sciatica?

The pain doctor wants to do a eperderal in where the pinched nerves are if that doesnt help than surgery any suggjestions Dr.

THANK YOU!! For well over a decade I've had severe back problems, my x-rays, cat scans, MRI's show moderate DDD. I'd say since at least 2008 I've been having problems. I'm now 68, 5'3" 130 lbs. I was orig. told I appeared to have ALS since I have such weak legs(also my arms but doesn't affect me as much). I've been telling my doctors "I CAN'T SIT"...that is my chief complaint. I spend most of my time lying on my stomach with my laptop just above my head. Towards evening I can sometimes get a few min (15ish) worth of housework done. My legs feel weak and extremely heavy much of the time. I wonder if I could have Pompe' dis. too? Also, if I sit for more than 10-15 min, I have to get on the incline board(flips you upside down) and then I feel (and hear) the vertebra snap back into place.

I have Brown Sequard syndrome after a failed rhizotomy in South Africa. I dont have leg pain but a lot of spasms. I also have burning pain in my left side. Will a fusion give me some relief? I'm 60 years of age

Can you do a video on annular tear/ fissures and your professional approach to treating them from conservative to surgical. Thanks for your videos.

V v informative

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Thanks again. After taking Ibuprofen for 3x a day 800mg for 2 weeks. Discontinue but can retake again or to stop for a while and how long before retake? Thanks

Can you talk about S2. My sibling (65 yrs old) went in complaining of foot-arch pain. Dr sent to do EMG of low back, and that neurologist says S2 nerve is pinched and suggested 2 months of PT, and electrical CET. If no response, then atrophy in weak toe may get worse.

I was diagnosed with DDD more than twenty years ago and have lived with the condition without great interference of daily activities. Recently however, I experience testicular pain (right testicle) and pain in side (appendix area.) Could this pain be associated with DDD and what steps should be taken to relieve the condition and pain? Thanks.

I had fusion T12-L2 in 1998 due to L1 burst. The top screw broke on the plate cover and cage was demolished. Have rods and screws from T10-L4. Now have severe degenerative disc in L4-L5 and L5-S1. Not to mention severe L4-L5 and L5-S1 Stenosis. There is also mention of slippage and the beginning of scoliosis. I have a first appointment with a neurosurgeon in a couple weeks and am worried. I have severe sciatica on the right side and have been suffering with it a long time but it has gotten worse. On top of this I have multilevel bulged disc as well as severe stenosis in my neck. Was told by neurosurgeon I needed a 3 to4 level fusion there. That was 6 years ago. Could my neck be part of what is impending on my leg as well as my lumbar issues. I also began to have control issues with my bladder. Worsening about 6 months ago. Am I in real trouble? I think your videos are great. They have really helped me

I am suffering from L3.L4.L5 disc degenerate. So much pain what can I do without surgery please guide me doctor

Thanks for explaining. I’m seeing a PNR regularly for pain. I was diagnosed with DDD, but my question to you is this: can it spread to other joints in the spine? I realize every person situation will be a little different, but I’ve been wondering if I should worried about my spine getting worse as I age. I still fairly young.

Excellent videos , learning a lot

Can intense sport create this? Or micro traumas?

this is exactly what my surgen told just yesterday , i am 42 and he say surgery is not a good option right now . Should I get a second opinion from a different doctor?

Moderate degenerative disc change at C5-6 with broad disc bulge and endplate osteophytes eccentric to the LEFT which result in mild spinal cord compression (no abnormal cord signal intensity) and severe LEFT foraminal narrowing compressing the exiting LEFT C6 nerve root. I have this what should I do?

Dr. What can I do I am 64 have severe degenerative disk disease in L3thru S1 its bad pain when I walk for 3 minites I have to sit down i cannot go walking in a store just sit down all day without pain I had 2 surgery's on L3and its been part ever since 6 years ago I had a herniated disc in L3 had fussion and rods put in it just made the pain worse i want to be able to walk again do you have any suggestions Dr.?

I like this guy. He speaks my language. Montana hillbilly.

Can you help me? I have ddd L4 and L5 with bilateral sciatica and my feet feel like I'm standing in cold water. You said patients with ddd feel more comfortable lying down but that makes my back pain and sciatica much worse. Sitting is very uncomfortable. Standing is better for about 10 minutes but then increases the dull back pain. Trying to sit or sleep is so difficult.

hey Dr. Su. i njured myself at l5 s1 which caused instant leg numbness. ER doctors didnt see anything. one MRI later, i have a small protrustion on the l5 s1 . my doctor said i should get better but its been over 1 year. the numbness is mild but im definitely not feeling 100 percent on my left leg. can i get my sensation back if the protrusion is small. the doctor said that the disc was just touching the nerve slightly. can my nerve recover or would this cause permanent damage. i can walk, run, rock climb. but thr numbness is always there slightly. sometimes it feels like the numbness moves around the leg

Could you send me your location if my insurance ok

So would this cause tingling and numbness in both feet. And will it heal so the pain is nor there?

What do you think about Deuk Laser Disc Repair surgeries

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Thanks for explanation Degenerative disc deseas good vídeo.

I wish I could send you a picture of my xrays to explain to me how bad they are

Hilo doctor lam sisaygedluzalk from Ethiopia

I am 27,Female, i have recently been diagnosed with reduced L5 S1 IV. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN AND WHAT IS THE MAJOR REASON FOR MY PROBLEM? REPLY ASAP

🙏❤️

My MRI is almost similar to the first one that you showed but mine is l5-s1. Is DDD and slipped disc about the same things? What is the cause of DDD for people in 20s and is it curable. TQ

What is that white mark on L4 or L3?

Great video! I think you could also have talked about loose or thickened ligaments, spondylosis and spondylolisthesis

Can your disc return? I’ve been struggling with this including my it band. Originally diagnosed with sciatica and tronchaeitc bursitis. Turns out it’s exactly disc degeneration.

good data DOC

I have a 12 mm spondylolthesis. Anyone know what grade this is?