Multilevel Degenerative Disc Disease

Based on our observations, the natural aging process is a common cause of multilevel degenerative disc disease. Over time, spinal discs lose hydration and elasticity, making them more susceptible to degeneration.

Repetitive motions, heavy lifting, and prolonged poor posture can lead to disc degeneration. Athletes, manual laborers, and individuals with physically demanding jobs often experience increased spinal breakdown. 

Chronic strain on the spine leads to microtraumas, exhibiting as annular tears in the discs, hastening their deterioration and contributing to multilevel degenerative disc disease.

Sedentary behavior, smoking, obesity, and poor nutrition all negatively impact spinal health.

Smoking decreases the flow of oxygen to spinal tissues, impairing their ability to heal, while excess body weight increases the load on the spine, accelerating disc degeneration.

Some individuals inherit a genetic tendency for weaker spinal discs, making them more susceptible to degeneration at multiple levels. While genetics cannot be changed, awareness of this risk factor can encourage early intervention and preventive care.

Conservative treatments for multilevel degenerative disc disease typically include physical therapy, pain medications, and lifestyle modifications. These approaches aim to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, reduce inflammation, and temporarily relieve symptoms. 

While non-invasive, they do not repair damaged discs, meaning pain relief is often temporary. Over time, patients may become more symptomatic as disc degeneration progresses.

Pain medications such as NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, or opioids come with significant risks. Long-term NSAID use can cause gastrointestinal issues, kidney damage, and cardiovascular problems. On the other hand, opioids are highly addictive and have led to a national crisis of dependency.

Interventional treatments such as epidural steroid injections (ESIs) and nerve ablations are often recommended for pain relief. These procedures aim to reduce inflammation and block pain signals, but they do not heal the damaged discs. 

Nerve ablations, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), attempt to reduce pain by heating the affected tissue. 

Because nerve ablations do not address the underlying cause, pain often returns once the nerve regenerates, requiring repeated procedures. In fact, ablation fails in greater than half of all cases, making it an ineffective option.

Traditional surgical options for multilevel degenerative disc disease include spinal fusion and artificial disc replacement. 

Spinal fusion permanently locks two or more vertebrae together, eliminating movement at those levels. While this can reduce pain, it leads to adjacent segment disease, where discs above and below the fusion deteriorate more quickly due to increased stress. 

Artificial disc replacement aims to address this issue. By replacing a damaged disc with a mechanical implant, it attempts to preserve mobility.

However, this surgery carries a high risk of device failure, infection, and improper alignment, leading to more surgeries. As we can see, traditional spine surgeries often create more problems than they solve.

Unlike conventional treatments, Deuk Laser Disc Repair is minimally invasive and permanently eliminates discogenic pain without fusion or artificial discs. This procedure uses an endoscopic laser to remove inflammation-causing disc tissue, leaving the healthy portion of the disc intact. 

Unlike spinal fusion, Deuk Laser Disc Repair preserves natural spinal movement and avoids adjacent segment disease​.

The benefits of Deuk Laser Disc Repair are unmatched. It is performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to walk out of surgery the same day with no hospital stay. 

With zero complications reported to date, it is the safest spinal surgery available. There is no significant blood loss, no risk of infection, and no hardware failure.

By precisely targeting the source of pain, Deuk Laser Disc Repair can help you heal from multilevel degenerative disc disease​ for good.

Conditions such as a thoracic disc herniation are no joke. Our findings show that they can cause chronic pain, mobility issues, and nerve-related symptoms if left untreated. However, with the right treatment, symptoms can be completely eliminated without invasive surgery​.

The progression varies by individual, but factors like age, lifestyle, and genetics influence the speed of degeneration. Without proper treatment, symptoms tend to worsen.

High-impact activities like heavy lifting, repetitive bending, and prolonged sitting can accelerate disc deterioration. Likewise, low-impact exercises and proper posture can help manage symptoms and prevent further damage​.

As mentioned, individuals with a family history of disc disease, aging spines, poor posture, or physically demanding jobs are at higher risk. Additionally, smoking, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle can increase the likelihood of developing this condition​.