Everything You Need To Know About Degenerative Disc Disease

Treatment Options

Treatment for degenerative disc disease includes pain maintenance, usually in the form of ice or heat on the affected area. Painkillers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications may also be used to control pain. Physical therapy may be necessary if a patient develops osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, or a herniated disc as a result of degenerative disc disease. Surgery treatments may include fusing the bones together to protect the spinal cord or replacing the affected disc with an artificial one.

Surgical Intervention

Individuals who have particularly debilitating and severe cases of degenerative disc disease that do not respond well to other treatment methods, surgical intervention may be necessary. The most common surgical procedure used to treat degenerative disc disease is called spinal fusion surgery. During this procedure, the affected disc in the spine is extracted from its space, and implants, rods, screws, or plates are implanted in both vertebrae to help stabilize the spine. The actual spinal fusion happens over the months following the procedure. A solid, immobile structure replaces the degenerative disc when the two fused vertebrae grow together.

The alternative surgical procedure to spinal fusion is an artificial disc replacement surgery. During this procedure, the spinal disc is removed from its space, and the space between the vertebrae where the disc belongs is stretched back to its natural height. Once the desired height is achieved, an artificial disc device made from metal endplates and polyethylene core is implanted. This procedure prevents a common complication that occurs with spinal fusion where the spinal discs adjacent to the fusion are put under excessive pressure.