Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease

Before your doctor can diagnose your condition and design a treatment plan, a complete history and physical exam are necessary. There are so many possible causes of pain. It is important to determine what is and is not at the root of the problem.

You may be asked to take a variety of diagnostic tests. The tests are chosen based upon what your physician suspects is causing your pain. The most common diagnostic tests used to diagnose degenerative disc disease are ordinary X-rays and MRI scans. If your doctor suspects disc degeneration, X-rays can be used to verify a decrease in the height of space between vertebrae, bone spurs, facet hypertrophy (enlargement), and instability during flexion or extension of limbs. An MRI can verify loss of water in a disc, facet joint hypertrophy, stenosis, or a herniated disc.