Degenerative disc disease describes that gradual deterioration of the spinal discs as you age, causing discs to narrow or shrink and lose their shock absorption qualities. This condition can often be treated through conservative means, as surgery is typically used as a last resort. However, if several weeks or months of nonsurgical therapy like weight management, low-impact exercises and pain medication have not provided you with the relief you desire, then surgery may become necessary. To learn about your options for degenerative disc disease surgery, read the following article.

Types of degenerative disc disease surgery

If your pain is so significant that you are unable to go about your daily routine, your doctor will typically require surgery to treat your condition. There are two types of degenerative disc disease surgery to choose from — traditional open spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery. Educating yourself on your surgical options can help you make a confident decision on your spine care needs.

Traditional degenerative disc disease surgery

Traditional open spine surgery is a procedure that fuses vertebrae using a 6- to 8-inch incision that tears the surrounding muscles to remove the degenerated disc in the spine. This highly invasive procedure carries a significant risk of infection and involves a hospital stay of two to five days, followed by a lengthy recovery period.

Minimally invasive degenerative disc disease surgery

On the other hand, the minimally invasive degenerative disc disease surgery performed at USA Spine Care offer patients a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery as well as a shorter recovery time and a lower risk of infection.^ Contact us today with any questions or concerns you may have about our procedures.

At USA Spine Care, our procedures are performed on an outpatient basis using a small incision that spares surrounding muscle and ligaments. Depending on the type and severity of your degenerative disc disease, our board-certified surgeons+ will use a variety of procedures to remove the degenerative disc and relieve the pressure placed on the spine.

As the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, we have helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain. To learn if our degenerative disc disease surgery would be effective in relieving your condition, request a no-cost MRI review* today. If our team determines that you are a candidate for our procedures, we can help you move to the next step on your journey to wellness.

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