Advanced degenerative disc disease (DDD) can cause severe symptoms and physical limitations. Symptoms include radiating pain, increased spine stiffness, and changes in posture. Finding the right treatment for advanced degenerative disc disease is crucial for relief and regaining your quality of life.
While non-surgical treatments offer some relief, for many individuals, spinal fusion surgery often provides the best long-term results. Let’s talk about surgery vs. non-surgical treatment for advanced degenerative disc disease.
What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease is one of the most unfortunate results of aging. The spinal discs are rubbery cushions between your vertebrae. Degenerative disc disease is characterized by a wearing down of the spinal discs. The result is the bones rubbing together, causing pain and lack of flexibility in the spine.
Advanced degenerative disc disease refers to a significant deterioration of the spinal discs. While non-surgical treatments may be effective in earlier stages, patients with advanced degenerative disc disease may need surgery.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Degenerative Disc Disease
- Physical Therapy: Strengthens spine muscles, boosts flexibility, and eases pain with exercises.
- Medications: Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and prescriptions manage severe pain.
- Injections: Corticosteroid and nerve block injections reduce inflammation and manage severe pain.
- Lifestyle Changes: Weight loss, quitting smoking, and regular exercise ease spine stress.
These methods offer relief but may not suffice for advanced degenerative disc disease. That’s where spinal fusion surgery becomes crucial.
What is Spinal Fusion Surgery?
Johns Hopkins Medicine defines spinal fusion surgery as a procedure that joints two or more vertebrae together. As a result, the spine is stabilized, and pain is relieved for the patient. An orthopedic spine surgeon chooses the best approach depending on your case.
The Benefits of Spinal Fusion Surgery
Spinal fusion surgery offers a more permanent treatment for advanced degenerative disc disease. If successful, it effectively addresses pain and instability caused by the condition.
Consider the following benefits of the procedure:
- Pain Relief: Spinal fusion can be highly effective in alleviating chronic back or neck pain.
- Stability: The procedure stabilizes the spine by preventing abnormal movement between vertebrae, reducing the risk of further damage.
- Improved Function: Fusion restores spinal alignment, enhancing overall spine function and mobility, which may have been compromised due to disc degeneration.
- Prevention of Nerve Compression: The procedure helps alleviate pressure on spinal nerves, reducing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the limbs.
- Reduced Need for Medication: Successful fusion can reduce reliance on pain medications over time.
- A Long-Term Solution: Unlike non-surgical treatments that may offer temporary relief, spinal fusion provides a lasting solution to symptoms.
Spinal fusion surgery for advanced degenerative disc disease offers a quicker path to recovery. It can provide significant relief from symptoms and dramatically improve your quality of life.
Spinal Fusion Approaches
Spinal fusion can be done using different approaches. An orthopedic spine specialist will choose the best method for you.
Spinal fusion for advanced degenerative disc disease can be performed using either an anterior or posterior approach, each with its own considerations:
Anterior Approach
Accessed through the front of the body (abdomen or neck), allowing direct access to the spine and affected discs.
Benefits:
- The surgeon has direct access to the disc space for the removal.
- Preserves back muscles and spinal nerves, reducing the risk of damage.
- Typically results in quicker recovery and less postoperative pain compared to posterior approaches.
Posterior Approach
Accessed through the back, involving removal of lamina (laminectomy) and placement of bone grafts or hardware to stabilize the spine.
Benefits:
- Allows for decompression of spinal nerves if there is associated nerve compression.
- The surgeon has excellent access to the back of the spine, which enhances stabilization.
After the age of 40, it is typical for most people to develop some level of disk degeneration. This is possible even without showing any outward signs. According to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 5 percent of individuals with degenerative disc disease develop back pain.
If you are experiencing symptoms of degenerative disc disease, consult an orthopedic spine surgeon to find out your options.
Treatment for Advanced Degenerative Disc Disease in Naples, FL
If you are looking for a highly skilled orthopedic surgeon for your care, look no further than the Joint Replacement Institute. Our orthopedic surgeons have specialties in arthroscopy, joint replacement, hand and shoulder surgery, podiatry, sports medicine, and interventional pain management.
We provide highly convenient orthopedic care and offer a range of on-site services, from diagnostics (full-body MRIs) to pain management (on-site injection clinic) and physical therapy.
For any questions or to schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedic surgeons, call our office today at (239) 261-2663 or use our convenient appointment request form.
