Degenerative disc disease is a common condition that typically affects individuals age 50 and older. This condition describes the deterioration of the spine due to age or injury. As we get older, the discs in our spine become narrow, arthritic or shrink, limiting how far the ligaments can stretch. These discs normally act as shock absorbers and cushion the spine, but the deterioration causes the disc to lose these capabilities.

Water content also decreases due to this debilitating condition, which stiffens the disc and allows for less mobility. Once the disc begins to degenerate, this condition cannot fully heal. However, through the treatments described in the following article, you can learn to live, and even thrive, with degenerative disc disease.

Relieving degenerative disc disease

Although this condition can never completely heal, there are a variety of methods available that can help you prevent your condition from worsening and allow you to recapture your quality of life from this condition. For instance, your doctor may suggest the following treatment methods to help you find relief:

• Core strengthening
• Weight management
• Reduced heavy lifting
• Reduced impacts to the spine
• Low-impact exercises
• Pain medications
• Physical therapy

If your degenerative disc disease does not respond to several weeks or months of these treatments, there are also surgical alternatives available, such as the minimally invasive spine surgery offered at USA Spine Care.

Degenerative disc disease surgery at USA Spine Care

At USA Spine Care we offer a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery, with our lower risk of complication and shorter recovery period.^ To address your condition, our board-certified+ surgeons use a minimally invasive discectomy procedure to remove part of the damaged disc and relieve the symptoms caused by this disease.

A stabilization surgery may also become necessary. This procedure requires the removal of the entire disc and the insertion of an artificial disc to stabilize the spine. This is done through the use of a less than 1-inch incision, which does not unnecessarily disrupt the muscles or ligaments surrounding the spine. To learn more about the advantages of our outpatient procedures, contact USA Spine Care today.

At USA Spine Care, our minimally invasive procedures help thousands of patients find relief from chronic neck and back pain each year, setting us apart as the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery. To find out if you are a candidate for our degenerative disc disease procedures, reach out to our team and ask for a free MRI review.* We can help you take your life back from chronic pain and discomfort.

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