Home /Conditions /Degenerative Disc Disease
Spine Condition

Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment

Advanced treatment for degenerative disc disease in the neck and lower back. Dr. Tyndall is a pioneer in fusion-less spine surgery and artificial disc replacement, offering motion-preserving alternatives that get you back to your active life.

Call (219) 250-5035
Medically reviewed by Dwight S. Tyndall, MD, FAAOS · Updated April 2026

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition in which the spinal discs — the soft, compressible cushions between the vertebrae — gradually break down due to age-related wear and tear. Despite its name, DDD is not actually a disease but rather a natural process of disc aging that can cause pain in some people.

Spinal discs act as shock absorbers and allow flexibility in the spine. Over time, they lose water content, become thinner, and develop small tears in the outer wall. These changes can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. DDD can occur anywhere in the spine but most commonly affects the lumbar spine (lower back) and the cervical spine (neck).

While virtually everyone experiences some disc degeneration as they age, not everyone develops symptoms. When DDD does cause pain, effective treatments are available — from conservative therapies to advanced surgical solutions like artificial disc replacement.

Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

  • Chronic, low-grade back or neck pain with occasional flare-ups of more severe pain
  • Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, lifting, or twisting
  • Pain that improves with walking, changing positions, or lying down
  • Stiffness in the back or neck, especially in the morning
  • Radiating pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs (if nerves are compressed)
  • Periods of severe pain lasting days to months, then subsiding
  • Reduced range of motion in the spine

Causes and Risk Factors

Treatment Options

Dr. Tyndall always explores nonsurgical treatments first. Many patients with DDD achieve excellent pain relief without surgery.

Conservative Treatment

  • Physical therapy — Core strengthening, flexibility exercises, and postural training to support the spine and reduce pain
  • Anti-inflammatory medications — NSAIDs and other medications to manage pain and inflammation
  • Epidural steroid injections — Targeted injections to reduce inflammation around compressed nerves
  • Lifestyle modifications — Weight management, smoking cessation, ergonomic adjustments, and regular low-impact exercise

Surgical Treatment

  • Artificial disc replacement — Dr. Tyndall's preferred approach when surgery is needed. The damaged disc is replaced with a prosthetic disc that preserves natural spinal motion. Dr. Tyndall is a pioneer in fusion-less spine surgery and has helped develop disc replacement technology through work with spinal implant companies. Both cervical and lumbar disc replacement are often performed as outpatient procedures.
  • Minimally invasive spinal fusion — When fusion is necessary, Dr. Tyndall uses the latest minimally invasive techniques to stabilize the spine with smaller incisions and faster recovery.

Why Choose Dr. Tyndall

Fusion-Less Surgery Pioneer
Pioneer in fusion-less spine surgery and disc replacement technology development
20+ Years of Experience
Board-certified spine surgeon with two decades of specialized DDD treatment
Elite Training
NYU medical degree, Stanford residency, HSS fellowship
Conservative-First
Nonsurgical solutions always explored before recommending surgery

Frequently Asked Questions About DDD

Despite its name, degenerative disc disease is not technically a disease. It is a natural, age-related process where the spinal discs gradually lose hydration, height, and flexibility. While virtually everyone experiences some degree of disc degeneration as they age, not everyone develops pain from it. The term "disease" is somewhat misleading — it is more accurately described as a condition of wear and tear.
DDD cannot be reversed, as the natural aging process of the discs cannot be undone. However, the symptoms can be very effectively managed and treated. Many patients achieve excellent pain relief through conservative treatments. When surgery is needed, Dr. Tyndall offers artificial disc replacement, which preserves spinal motion, and minimally invasive fusion for more advanced cases.
Artificial disc replacement is a procedure where the damaged disc is removed and replaced with a prosthetic disc that mimics natural spinal motion. Unlike fusion, it preserves movement at the treated level and may reduce the risk of adjacent-level degeneration. Dr. Tyndall is a pioneer in this field and has worked with implant companies to develop the technology. He performs both cervical and lumbar disc replacements, often as outpatient same-day procedures.
Pain can arise from several sources: the degenerated disc itself can generate pain through micro-motion and inflammation, collapsed disc height causes facet joints to bear more load leading to arthritis, bone spurs can compress nerves, and reduced disc height can narrow the openings where nerves exit the spine. Dr. Tyndall performs a thorough evaluation to identify the specific source and target treatment accordingly.
Disc replacement preserves natural spinal motion and may reduce the risk of adjacent-level disc degeneration that can occur after fusion. However, not all patients are candidates for disc replacement. Dr. Tyndall evaluates each patient individually and recommends the option that will provide the best long-term outcome. He prefers motion-preserving solutions when possible but performs minimally invasive fusion when it is the better choice for the patient's specific situation.

Get Treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease

Dr. Tyndall offers the latest in disc replacement technology and conservative treatments. Call today for your consultation.

(219) 250-5035

Monday – Friday · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Crown Point Office

500 E. 109th Avenue
Crown Point, IN 46307

Schererville Office

833 W. Lincoln Highway, Suite 110
Schererville, IN 46375