Degenerative Disc Disease and nerves
 

Could degenerative disc disease affect your nerves?
I have DDD in L1 and L2 (suspect it is in the thorasic spine as well) and I am having trouble with the nerves in my outer thigh. L1 and L2 control those nerves. Just wondering if the two could be related. The trouble I am having is numbness, burning and tingling.

Thanks in advance for replies :)

Definitely.

It's possible.

It happened with me, though the DDD was combined with other factors causing stenosis

Hi Skully, ddd can effect nerves if the degeneration results in the nerve being impinged, trapped or squashed.
numbness tingling and a hot burning sensation all could be due to nerves being impinged. an MRI should show any impinged nerves. I have ddd throughout two thirds of my spine and three impinged nerves in my lower spine, GPs do not seem to consider them as a problem though???

Sometimes with DDD, we end up with peripheral neuropathy - that's what the burning & tingling is. Also, you sometimes get the feeling of water running down your legs - now that's weird!! LOL

Usually the doc will put you on an anti-epilepsy drug such as Neurontin or Topamax or the like. These drugs help quiet the nerves. Talk to your doc about it. Best of luck. Hugs, Lee