If you’ve been told by a physician that you have a collapsed disc, surgery is a possible treatment option. But, most likely, it is not your only option. Many people find that they are able to manage their discomfort by taking a short break from symptom-triggering activities, engaging in a regular fitness program and using over-the-counter medications as needed.

Why do you need treatment?

The term “collapsed disc” means that a spinal disc has become misshapen because it has lost some of its water content or is being pressured by nearby tissue, such as a bone spur or inflamed ligament. As a disc changes shape and flattens, the vertebrae on either side of it may move closer together, sometimes compressing a spinal nerve in between them.

Nerve compression can produce a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including neck or back pain, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling sensations. If these symptoms are minor, conservative therapy may be all that is necessary for relief. However, if the symptoms are severe or debilitating or do not response well to nonsurgical measures, surgery may be necessary. As a general rule of thumb, surgery is considered only after several weeks or months of conservative therapies do not produce the desired results.

Collapsed disc surgery

There are a number of surgical treatment options for a collapsed disc. Depending on a patient’s specific needs, these may include:

• Discectomy — All or part of a damaged disc is removed
• Laminectomy — The lamina of one or more vertebrae is removed
• Spinal fusion — A bone graft or implant is placed to help stabilize the spine

When performed with a traditional (open) surgical technique, these procedures present a number of risks and require a lengthy recovery. Alternatively, minimally invasive spine collapsed disc surgery is performed through small incisions. This can result in less muscle disruption and, in turn, a shorter recovery time and a lower complication rate.^

The skilled surgeons at USA Spine Care perform minimally invasive outpatient procedures to address collapsed discs and other degenerative spine conditions. Our minimally invasive procedures are a safer and effective alternative to traditional open back procedures.^

To find out if you’re a candidate for minimally invasive collapsed disc surgery at USA Spine Care, contact us today.

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