What surgery is best for degenerative disc disease?

What surgery is best for degenerative disc disease?

Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery The standard surgical treatment for lumbar degenerative disc disease is a fusion surgery, in which two vertebrae are grafted together. The goal of fusion surgery is to reduce pain by eliminating motion at the spinal segment.

Are there any new treatments for degenerative disc disease?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for IDCT (DiscGenics, Inc.), an investigational cell therapy for the reduction in pain and disability associated with degenerative disc disease (DDD).

Can degenerative disc disease be repaired?

Once a disc is injured, it cannot repair itself, and a spiral of degeneration can set in with three stages that appear to occur over 20 to 30 years: Acute pain makes normal movement of the back difficult. The bone where the injury occurred becomes relatively unstable.

Can degenerative disc disease cripple you?

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.

Is DDD surgery safe?

As with any operation, there are risks involved with spine surgery for degenerative disc disease. Your doctor will discuss potential risks with you before asking you to sign a surgical consent form. Possible complications include, but are not limited to: injury to your spinal cord or nerves.

Is a spinal fusion worth it?

Spinal fusion is typically an effective treatment for fractures, deformities or instability in the spine. But study results are more mixed when the cause of the back or neck pain is unclear. In many cases, spinal fusion is no more effective than nonsurgical treatments for nonspecific back pain.

How do you live with DDD?

First, quickly reduce the pain to a tolerable level. Engage in a controlled, progressive exercise and active rehabilitation. Identify and act on any behavioral and activity modifications needed to minimize aggravation to the disc. Improve hydration and nutrition to foster improved spinal disc health.

Does gabapentin help with degenerative disc disease?

Anti-seizure medications, such as gabapentin (Neurontin), are sometimes prescribed to help control chronic low back pain. They may be especially useful for nerve pain, such as sciatica or peripheral neuropathy, caused by the degenerated disc.

How long does it take to recover from degenerative disc surgery?

It may take four to six weeks to return to all of your usual activities, but surgery often provides almost immediate relief from pain that radiates to the arms or legs.

What foods should you avoid with degenerative disc disease?

Foods To Avoid While Experiencing Back Pain

• Sugary Foods. Sugary foods are among the worst foods that you can eat.
• Vegetable Oil. Most vegetables are high in omega 6 fatty acids.
• Refined Grains. It is best to eat whole grains instead of refined grains.
• Dairy Products.
• Processed Corn.
• Red Meat.
• Foods With Chemicals.

Is there a lumbar spine fusion for degenerative disc disease?

Lumbar Spine Fusion for Degenerative Disc Disease. Degenerative disc disease is for the most part a non-crippling, non-progressive type of back condition, although in a minority of cases it can cause severe back pain and can significantly impact on an individual’s ability to function.

How long does it take for lumbar disc disease to fuse?

Lumbar Disc Disease Video. The spine is not actually fused at the time of the surgery. Instead, the surgery creates the conditions for the spine to be able to fuse and the fusion is a process that will set up over a 3 to 6 month (and up to 18 month) period of time following the spinal fusion surgery (see figure 1).

How long does it take for lumbar spine fusion to set up?

Lumbar Spine Fusion for Degenerative Disc Disease. The spine is not actually fused at the time of the surgery. Instead, the surgery creates the conditions for the spine to be able to fuse and the fusion is a process that will set up over a 3 to 6 month (and up to 18 month) period of time following the spinal fusion surgery…

When to get a second opinion for spinal fusion?

It is often a good idea for patients to get a second (or third) opinion from other surgeons and/or other types of spine specialists prior to deciding whether or not to have spinal fusion. The decision to have a spine fusion procedure to treat low back pain from degenerative disc disease is a very personal one.