Common spine & neck concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related wear of the spinal discs
Degenerative disc disease describes the natural drying out and flattening of spinal discs over time, sometimes producing chronic low back or neck pain. Same-day or next-day evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
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What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Degenerative disc disease is one of many spine & neck conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Most patients improve with conservative care: physical therapy, staying active, anti-inflammatory medication, and injections when a nerve is irritated.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is degenerative disc disease?
Degenerative disc disease describes the natural drying out and flattening of spinal discs over time, sometimes producing chronic low back or neck pain. Symptoms can develop gradually or after a specific injury, so early evaluation matters when function starts to decline.
Most patients with degenerative disc disease improve with conservative care: physical therapy to build core strength, staying active, anti-inflammatory medication, and epidural injections when a worn disc irritates a nerve. Disc wear on an MRI is very common with age and does not by itself mean you need surgery. When pain stays disabling after a thorough course of non-surgical care, our specialists offer the procedures discussed below.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose degenerative disc disease, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Degenerative Disc Disease
This condition is a weakening of one or more vertebral discs, which normally act as a cushion between the vertebrae. This condition can develop as a natural part of the aging process, but it may also result from injury to the back.
Inside the spine & neck.
The spine has 33 vertebrae stacked in five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. Between each vertebra sits a disc that cushions and allows motion. The spinal cord and nerve roots run through the canal, so when a disc bulges, a joint enlarges, or a vertebra slips, pain can radiate into the arms or legs.
Symptoms and causes of degenerative disc disease
Common symptoms
- Chronic low back or neck pain
- Pain that worsens with sitting or bending
- Episodes of severe pain followed by relief
- Stiffness, especially in the morning
Common causes
- Age-related disc dehydration
- Repetitive heavy loading or vibration exposure
- Prior disc injury
- Smoking accelerates disc wear
How we diagnose degenerative disc disease
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for degenerative disc disease typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the spine & neck: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, MRI when we need to see the discs and nerves in detail
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat degenerative disc disease at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Physical therapy focused on core strength, flexibility, and posture
- Staying active with low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming, or cycling
- Anti-inflammatory medication, with heat or ice for flare-ups
- Weight management and quitting smoking to slow disc wear
- Epidural steroid injections when a worn disc irritates a nerve
- Activity and ergonomic changes for sitting, lifting, and bending
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Spinal fusion (such as ACDF in the neck, or ALIF or TLIF in the low back) to stop painful motion at a worn disc
- Artificial disc replacement for selected patients
- Decompression (microdiscectomy or laminectomy) when a worn disc leads to a herniation or stenosis that presses on nerves
- Spinal cord stimulation for selected patients with persistent nerve pain
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Spine & neck care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our spine & neck specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a spine & neck specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a spine & neck specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the spine & neck that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantGo to the emergency room or call 911 for loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or weakness in the arms or legs that is getting worse quickly. Seek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, new numbness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your spine & neck recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the spine & neck, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice or heat and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the spine & neck.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Spine and neck considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the spine & neck. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our spine & neck doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our spine & neck specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From image-guided injections and minimally invasive spine procedures to spine surgery when it is needed, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Meet your spine & neck specialists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
Jose Antonio Acosta, MD
Pain Management & Rehabilitation
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Glendale
- Encino
- Valencia
- +1 more
Care for degenerative disc disease starts here
Don't let degenerative disc disease be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a spine & neck specialist in Los Angeles.
Common degenerative disc disease questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI is ordered when we need to see the discs and nerves in detail. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a spine & neck specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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