Prior to beginning degenerative joint disease treatment to address your symptoms it’s easy to become overwhelmed while considering options and your chances of finding relief. The good news is there are steps you can take to ease your mind and be as prepared as possible to begin your treatment journey.

Preparing for degenerative joint disease treatment

It is easy to overlook the importance of taking an active role in your own treatment. Having an engaged but collaborative attitude can help you work more closely with your doctor as you begin developing a degenerative joint disease treatment plan. Here are four specific suggestions to consider:

1. Research your condition. Doing some preliminary self-education to learn about your condition and understand what is happening in your spine can be a helpful step prior to your appointment. This can make you feel more comfortable with the information that your doctor provides and may help you have a better frame of reference about how degenerative joint disease treatment should work.
2. Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor. As you do your research, it can be helpful to write down questions that you know you’ll want to ask your doctor. In the middle of your appointment something may slip your mind, which can be frustrating if you remember it later.
3. Consider the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine. Don’t be afraid to look beyond mainstream medicine and explore various complementary and alternative treatments. Many people report strong results from techniques like chiropractic care, acupuncture and massage, but it’s important to keep your doctor informed.
4. Ask around. Feel free to ask friends, family and people in your network to see if anyone you know has experience with degenerative joint disease. This is a relatively common condition and you might be surprised to find that someone you know may be able to provide you with some insight. Just remember that everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another.

When to consider surgery for degenerative joint disease

While you might be doubtful of beginning degenerative joint disease treatment, with the right perspective and a little preparation you can give yourself the best chance of success. While this condition is not reversible, it is possible to find lasting relief and a return to normal, healthy activity by engaging in conservative treatments such as physical therapy and medication.

You may be presented with spine surgery as an option if weeks and months of conservative treatments do not bring the relief you require to engage in the normal activities of daily living. If you are recommended for surgery you should explore the full range of treatments available to you, including the minimally invasive spine surgery performed at USA Spine Care. Our procedures are a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery, offering our patients less risk of complication and a shorter recovery time.

To learn more, reach out to our dedicated team of Spine Care Consultants today for a no-cost MRI review* to determine if you are a potential candidate for one of our procedures.