Degenerative disc disease can cause pain in the neck and back as well as numbness, tingling or muscle weakness. Although conservative treatment options are effective for most patients, for some, surgical options might offer better symptom relief. If conservative treatment options have failed to treat your symptoms you should consult with your physician on whether degenerative disc disease surgery can help you with symptom control.

What to expect while recovering from degenerative disc disease surgery

Recovery time from surgery will depend on your condition, the specific surgery performed and your overall health. You won’t immediately feel better as it takes time for your body to heal and recover. Recovery time will also vary depending on how the surgery is performed.

Degenerative disc disease surgery can be performed as open spine surgery or minimally invasive spine surgery. Recovery from open spine surgery is much longer and painful, as surgery requires a large incision, severing muscle and tendons during surgery. Open spine surgery also requires a few days in the hospital. Recovery from our minimally invasive spine surgery is faster than open back surgery recovery.^ USA Spine Care’s minimally invasive spine surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure. Patients are up and walking hours after their procedures.^

Eighty-three percent of our minimally invasive decompression patients return to daily activities within three months. That means our patients are driving, shopping and spending time with family.

Your surgeon will give you very specific instructions on what you can and can’t do after surgery. Make sure you follow your surgeon’s instructions and take any medication that has been prescribed. Participate in any physical therapy that has been prescribed as well.

What activities can you do after degenerative disc disease surgery?

After degenerative disc disease surgery, with clearance from your surgeon, there are activities and lifestyle factors that you can participate in to make sure you maintain good health and don’t injure your spine:

• Participate in low-impact exercise and stretching
• Practice good posture
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a healthy diet
• Avoid excess alcohol consumption
• Completely avoid smoking
• Avoid heavy lifting and repetitive movements
• Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time

If conservative treatment options have failed to treat your symptoms, contact USA Spine Care today to find out if degenerative disc disease surgery can help control the symptoms you are experiencing due to degenerative disc disease. At USA Spine Care we perform minimally invasive spine surgery that is a safer and effective alternative to traditional open back procedures^ and offers many advantages to our patients.

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