When is surgery needed for degenerative disc disease?

Surgical treatment is an option in cases of severe, debilitating lumbar degenerative disc disease, and is usually only recommended after at least 6 months of nonsurgical treatment. Most cases of degenerative disc disease can be managed using nonsurgical methods, and do not require surgery for effective pain relief.

Is surgery good for degenerative disc disease?

If back or neck pain caused by degenerative disc disease doesn't respond to medication or therapeutic injections, NYU Langone doctors may recommend a surgical procedure. Surgeons may remove some or all of a damaged disc, take pressure off a pinched nerve, or eliminate movement between the bones of the spine.

What is the best treatment for severe degenerative disc disease?

Bed rest, or reduced activity, for the first 1 to 2 days after onset of severe pain, combined with anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, and ice and/or heat therapy. Prescription muscle relaxant medications, as needed, for up to 1 week. Gentle stretching and aerobic exercise, for at least 3 times a week.

Who is a good candidate for disc replacement surgery?

Generally, good candidates for disc replacement have: Back pain caused primarily by one or two intervertebral discs. No significant facet joint disease or bony compression on nerves. A healthy weight.

Can you become paralyzed from degenerative disc disease?

This can irritate the spinal cord or nearby nerves, causing weakness and numbness in the arms or legs. A severely herniated disc can cause paralysis. Disc herniation is most common in the lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine).

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What are the stages of degenerative disc disease?

The Four Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease

They can result in pain, degenerative scoliosis, and loss of mobility. These four stages are the Dysfunction Stage, the Dehydration Stage, the Stabilization Stage, and the Collapsing Stage.

What is the long term prognosis for degenerative disc disease?

Long-term Outcomes of Degenerative Disc Disease

The degenerative process of the spinal disc may start gradually or suddenly, but progresses over 2 to 3 decades from severe and at times even disabling bouts of pain to a state in which the spine is restabilized and the pain is diminished.

What is the success rate of disc replacement surgery 2020?

The authors reported a clinical success rate as defined by the FDA (≥ 15-point improvement in ODI, freedom from device failure or serious device-related adverse events, maintenance/improvement in neurological status) of 87.5% and a return to work rate of 75.9%.

When is disc replacement not an option?

An artificial disc replacement device should also not be used if you have significant osteoporosis or an active infection. In the case of arthritis, your doctor may suggest other treatment options but not artificial disc replacement surgery.

Why am I not a candidate for disc replacement?

Patients who have other spinal abnormalities such as spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and scoliosis are usually not candidates for this surgery. Patients with osteoporosis may not have strong enough bone to support a disc replacement.

What happens if degenerative disc disease is left untreated?

Without appropriate treatment, degenerative disc disease can cause lasting, debilitating back pain. The pain may become so severe that you find it difficult to carry out your normal daily activities. It can interfere with your mobility and your overall quality of life.

Is degenerative disc disease a serious condition?

Degenerative disc disease isn't actually a disease, but rather a condition in which a damaged disc causes pain. This pain can range from nagging to disabling. The condition can be caused by the drying out of the disc over time, daily activities, sports and injuries.

What happens when a disc completely degenerates?

Over time, a degenerating disc may break down completely and leave no space between vertebrae, which can result in impaired movement, pain, and nerve damage.

Can you live a normal life with degenerative disc disease?

Can you live a normal life with degenerative disc disease? The answer is yes, even it forces you to be out of work for an extended amount of time. Do not give up. There are many methods of pain relief that you can do at home that can help you live a normal life.

Can degenerative disc disease heal without surgery?

Degenerative disc disease is relatively common in aging adults, and, as a reassurance, it seldom requires surgery. When medical attention is needed, the majority of patients respond well to non-surgical forms of treatment, and recovery occurs in about six weeks.

How can I prevent degenerative disc disease from getting worse?

How long does a disc replacement last?

In more than 90% of patients, an artificial disc replacement will last at least 10 years and likely for the rest of your life. Simulated wear studies indicate artificial discs could last a minimum of 40 years and perhaps up to 100 years.

How long is disc replacement surgery?

Most artificial disk replacement surgeries take 2 to 3 hours. Your surgical team will approach your lower back from the front through an incision in your abdomen. With this approach, the organs and blood vessels must be moved to the side. This allows your surgeon to access your spine without moving the nerves.

What is the recovery time for lumbar disc replacement surgery?

Recovery from lumbar artificial disc replacement generally lasts 3 months while the spine adjusts to the implanted device and the body recovers from surgery. Recovery times can vary between patients.

What is the difference between spinal fusion and disc replacement?

Allows greater movement: Disc replacements are designed to function like your body's natural discs. This may enable greater spine mobility and allow you to move as you would normally. Cervical fusion, on the other hand, welds bones together and eliminates movement in the affected area of the spine.

Is disk replacement better than fusion?

Artificial disc replacement offers some advantages over spinal fusion. The biggest advantage is that disc replacement preserves motion and mobility in the spine while fusion does not. This is especially important for people who want to live active and not just pain-free lives.

Is disc replacement surgery risky?

The main risks with disc replacement surgery are:

tear of the dura (the protective sheath around the spinal nerves) which can cause a leak of spinal fluid (14%) infection (2% to 3%) post-operative bleeding. nerve injury leading to weakness or numbness.

What activities should you avoid with degenerative disc disease?

Skip movements that involve significant axial loading on the lower back, such as squats and leg presses. Avoid toe-touches, sit-ups, and yoga poses that worsen the pain and lead to significant bending of the back.

What is moderate to severe degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disk disease occurs when the cushioning in your spine begins to wear away. The condition is most common in older adults. After age 40, most people experience some spinal degeneration. The right treatment can lead to pain relief and increased mobility.

Why is disc degeneration so painful?

Because the disc itself has very little innervation, pain usually occurs when the degenerating disc affects other structures in the spine (such as muscles, joint, or nerve roots).