Have you recently been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease? Has the pain kept you from doing the things you love? If you suffer from neck or lower back pain, then you know how difficult it can be to function normally. Show
Treatment options are available. In fact, some people achieve relief from degenerative disc disease by using nonsurgical treatments. Others find surgery can ultimately ease their pain and restore function. Use this guide to understand degenerative disc disease treatments and how surgery can help when other treatment options fail. What is Degenerative Disc Disease?To understand degenerative disc disease, let’s first take a look at the spine. As you probably know, the spine plays a major role in protecting your body and supporting its movements. In between each vertebra of your spine lies an intervertebral disc. These discs allow the spine to generate movement and have flexibility. In addition, these discs serve as shock absorbers, protecting your vertebrae during everyday activities. Spinal discs consist of a strong fibrous cartilage (the annulus fibrosus) which encloses a gel-like inner layer (the nucleus pulposus). As we age, these discs can weaken and become injured because of our personal habits, activities, diseases, and genetics. Degenerative disc disease is an umbrella term for neck and back pain associated with disc damage. There are two common injuries associated with degenerative disc disease. A bulging disc occurs when an intervertebral disc loses its shape and “bulges” outside its normal perimeter in the spine. A slipped disc, on the other hand, occurs when a crack in the outer layer causes the inner layer to rupture outside of the disc. While both conditions can cause symptoms, a slipped disc tends to be more painful. The most common symptom of degenerative disc disease is continuous pain in the affected area. In addition, nearby muscles can become stiff, weak, or even spasm. Some patients even experience radicular pain–pain that starts at one area and shoots to other areas of the body such as the arms and legs. Since certain parts of the spine are more mobile than others, degenerative disc disease usually affects two main areas of the spine. Common types of this disorder include:
Treatments for Degenerative Disc DiseaseAs mentioned earlier, some cases of degenerative disc disease respond well to nonsurgical treatments. Consulting with a doctor or orthopedic surgeon can give you valuable insights into the best way to treat your pain. The main goals of treatment involve reducing pain and preventing any painful flare-ups due to inflammation or added injury. Other holistic disciplines can also help to ease your symptoms. A physical therapist can suggest stretches and exercises to keep the target area strong and flexible. And, chiropractors can adjust the spinal structures to relieve pressure and tension on the joints. Some people also find relief in the manual manipulations performed by a massage therapist. When to Consider SurgeryWhile the thought of spine surgery may seem a little overwhelming, it can allow you to finally get your life back from chronic pain. Surgery is rarely suggested unless other treatment options aren’t helping. You may want to consider surgical treatment if:
Surgical Treatment OptionsIf you feel surgery is the best option for your degenerative disc disease, then your doctor or orthopedic surgeon will conduct a thorough examination and order diagnostic tests. After reviewing the results, you and your doctor will discuss the best surgical treatments for you. Sometimes, an orthopedist can repair discs with surgery. Other times, they are removed and replaced with pieces of bone and/or other hardware. Here are some common surgical treatment options for disc degeneration: Spinal DecompressionWhen a disc suffers damage, it loses its shape and can press on the spinal cord or other nerve roots. In addition, it may create structural changes in the spinal column resulting in nerve pressure. A surgeon can remove tissue or pieces of bone that press on the nerves to relieve pain and free up space for these structures. These procedures referred to as spinal decompression. Common types of decompression surgeries include:
DiscectomiesSometimes a disc is so damaged due to disease or injury that it needs to be removed. Discectomies are usually minimally invasive surgical procedures that remove the entire disc or a damaged portion. Common discectomies include:
Spinal Fusion SurgeryWhen the disc or other structures are removed, sometimes a surgeon needs to graft two vertebrae together to keep the spine stable. Over time, these grafts allow two vertebrae to grow together as one (fusion). Common spinal fusion surgeries include:
Deciding Which Surgical Treatments are Right for You…If degenerative disc disease is limiting your quality of life, then you probably have many questions about which surgical treatments are best for you. Deciding to undergo surgery on the spine is not an easy decision. Our back pain specialists at the Advanced Spine Center are ready to help you. By getting to know you, your condition, and goals for treatments, our experts at the Advanced Spine Center can help you make informed decisions about your recovery options. Our orthopedic doctors take the time to explain the different procedures, risks, and recovery times, empowering you to make the best choice between treatments. If you need surgery, our specialists use the latest technology to help you achieve relief faster. Minimally invasive techniques exact less damage to the body and leave smaller scars. Schedule a consultation today to find out how the Advanced Spine Center can help you return to life–pain-free! What is the best surgery for degenerative disc disease?Discectomy is the most common surgical treatment for a herniated disc, which often occurs as a result of degenerative disc disease. It involves removing the injured part of the disc, relieving pressure on the affected nerve.
How risky is surgery for degenerative disc disease?Surgical Risks
Possible complications include, but are not limited to: injury to your spinal cord or nerves. non-healing of the bony fusion (pseudoarthrosis) failure to improve.
Is surgery the only option for degenerative disc disease?Surgical treatment is an option in cases of severe, debilitating lumbar degenerative disc disease, and is usually only recommended after at least 6 months of nonsurgical treatment. Most cases of degenerative disc disease can be managed using nonsurgical methods, and do not require surgery for effective pain relief.
Are there any new treatments for degenerative disc disease?The Intracept Procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the basivertebral nerve to provide relief from chronic how back pain that originates in a vertebral endplate. This outpatient procedure is implant-free and preserves the structure of the spine.
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