If you have severe pain caused by a collapsed disc, surgery may be appropriate for you. But, your physician will likely encourage you to try one or more conservative treatments before advising you to consider a surgical procedure. Nonsurgical therapies can be very effective for relieving neck and back pain associated with a collapsed disc. However, conservative treatment is limited in that it can only improve symptoms. A surgical procedure can provide relief by directly addressing the collapsed disc that is actually causing the symptoms. Sometimes, the latter approach is necessary.

Of course, many people would prefer to delay or avoid surgery if at all possible. In many cases, conservative treatment eliminates the need for collapsed disc surgery. For this reason, you are encouraged to explore all of your treatment options, including physical therapy and medication, prior to committing to any surgical procedure.

When should you consider surgical treatment for a collapsed disc?

You might begin to think about surgery if conservative treatment does not provide you with meaningful relief after several weeks or months. Spine surgery can be an effective next step, but it’s still best not to rush into it. Like any other surgical procedure, collapsed disc surgery has some risks. Therefore, as a general rule of thumb, you should move forward only if you have severe discomfort that is interfering with your daily life.

Also, remember that not every patient is a candidate for surgery. In addition to the nature of your symptoms, your physician will consider a number of other individual factors, such as your age and overall health, to determine whether surgery is appropriate for you.

What does collapsed disc surgery entail?

To address a collapsed disc, a surgeon will usually remove part of a damaged disc that is pressing on a spinal nerve. Because nerve compression is usually the underlying cause of collapsed disc symptoms, reducing the pressure on a compressed nerve will usually provide relief. Sometimes, a surgeon may recommend the complete removal of a severely damaged disc, followed by a fusion procedure to provide additional support.

USA Spine Care’s approach

Although the end goal is the same, there are two vastly different approaches to collapsed disc surgery: minimally invasive outpatient surgery and traditional open spine surgery. The surgeons at USA Spine Care take the former approach, which is a safer and effective alternative to open neck or back surgery.^ As compared to open spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery offers several advantages, including a smaller incision and less muscle disruption.

To learn more, contact USA Spine Care. We can provide you with a no-cost MRI review* to help determine if you are a candidate for our minimally invasive collapsed disc surgery.

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