Constant or recurring neck and back pain should be something you talk to your doctor about since it can be a sign of degenerative disc disease. This article will give you an overview of the disease and what course of action you can take to help with the discomfort.
What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disk disease is a condition where an individual experiences pain that is caused by a disc that has deteriorated in some way. Typically, a healthy spine has supple discs between the vertebrae. These discs allow for stable range of motion. Through aging, everyone’s discs begin to succumb to some wear and tear and begin to shrink.
Though everyone at some point will lose integrity in their discs, not everyone will be subjected to back pain. Besides aging, daily activity, injury, and playing sports, and medical conditions all can contribute to being susceptible to this condition.
Pain caused by degenerative disc disease is caused by the dry, shrinking discs no longer padding the vertebrae enough to stop them from rubbing against one another.
Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment Options
If you are experiencing the pain of degenerative disc disease, your doctor will likely implement a therapy regimen that includes medications to help eliminate inflammation and reduce the pain you feel or physical therapy to help strengthen areas of your body to minimize and manage your pain.
Steroid injections may be recommended as well. As a last resort, after other treatment options have been exhausted and found to be ineffective, your doctor will speak with you about surgical options and will refer you to a specialist located conveniently in the Plano, Texas area.
Cervical Fusion
Cervical fusion is a surgical procedure used as a last resort to eliminating degenerative disc disease pain in the neck. The goal of this surgery is to remove the diseased disc and then stabilize the area with a fusion to the neck. Rods, pins, plates and intervertebral cages may also be placed during surgery to provide additional stability as pressure to ensure the bones fuse.
Recovery
After the procedure, you will remain in the hospital for observation for about 1 to 2 days. Once you are given the green light, you can return home with limited activity. Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your progress and the progress of the fusion.
If you are experiencing pain related to degenerative disc disease, put your trust in an orthopedic surgeon who is board-certified and fellowship-trained. With cutting edge technology and 9 of his own spine-related product lines, Dr. Stephen Courtney in Plano, Texas has the experience and know-how to help rid you of chronic pain and get you back to enjoying your life fully.
Call 972-499-5457 to schedule a neck or back consultation with one of the best orthopedic spine surgeons, Dr Courtney.
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