Degenerative Disc Disease

BY-BRENDAN KEARNEY
MENTOR- ERICK SANTOS, M.D.
TEACHER- MS. CARLA BURRIS
PLACE- HOUSTON PHYSICIANS HOSPITAL

Student: Brendan Kearney

Mentor: Eric Santos M.D.

Mentor background

Alumni from Texas Tech university, under graduate and medical

degree.

After school, Dr. Santos spent 8 years in the Navy as a doctor. He

was deployed to Afghanistan as a general doctor for a marine
unit.

After the service, Dr. Santos joined the reserves while building his
private practice.

Dr. Santos was deployed twice while in the Navy reserves and
had to shut down and rebuild his private practice twice.

Houston Physicians Hospital

Located in Webster Texas.

Houston Physicians Hospital serves the greater Houston area,

personalizing healthcare to each individual patient.

What is Degenerative Disc

Disease?

Degenerative Disc Disease is a term used to describe the

changes/ degeneration, of your intervertebral discs as you age.

The degeneration process can be accelerated due to injury, such

as a herniated disc.

This disc degeneration can be an onset of additional spinal

conditions, such as Spinal Stenosis, Herniated Disc,
Osteoarthritis, and Spondylolisthesis.

Diagnosis

To diagnose Degenerative Disc Disease, the physician will

perform a physical examination, or review an MRI.

The physical exam consists of a series of flexibility and resistance

tests, along with a series of questions.

To diagnose using an MRI/X-RAY, the doctor will use his or her

knowledge to look for narrowing of the intervertebral disc.

Treatment

The treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease can range from

over the counter pain killers, all the way to surgery.

The majority of patients with Degenerative Disc Disease will not

need surgery, and will be recommended to a physical therapist
and or chiropractor.

Surgery will always be the last resort, a responsible physician will

always resort to a less invasive treatment if a more invasive
treatment is not needed.

Non Surgical Treatment

Physical Therapy, and low impact exercise, are the most

important part of treating Degenerative Disc Disease.

The Strengthening of core muscles will take strain off of the

spine.

Weight loss is also a major part of taking pressure off of the

degenerated disc.

Pain management can range from over the counter, to

prescription pain medications.

Steroids can also be prescribed to reduce inflammation.