Degenerative disc disease occurs when wear and tear on the spinal discs causes pain that makes movement difficult. If you have degenerative disc disease, you may experience the following symptoms:
However, some people with this condition have no symptoms. Let’s look at the most common causes and treatment options for this condition.
Your spinal discs form a cushion between two vertebrae. The discs have a tough outer wall (annulus fibrosis) that protects the soft inner core. When the condition of a disc changes due to age or other factors, degenerative disc disease can result from a combination of the following circumstances:
Prior to recommending surgical solutions, Dr. Lewis will do everything in his power to alleviate the pain and tenderness caused by degenerative disc disease.
Here are potential treatment options recommended to some patients:
If your degenerative disc disease doesn’t respond to nonsurgical treatment, you may be a good candidate for a surgical solution. This is particularly true if your leg, neck, or back pain limit your ability to complete day-to-day tasks, you have weakness and numbness in your legs, or the condition makes it difficult for you to walk.
Dr. Lewis may use artificial discs to replace your damaged, cracked, or ruptured lumbar or cervical disc. Fortunately, we use minimally invasive surgery that preserves motion. This is a huge improvement over traditional spinal fusion surgeries that eliminated the joint. Instead, a prosthetic device imitates the function of a real disc.
Due to the less invasive procedure, your body can heal more quickly, reducing recovery times and getting you up and moving faster.
At Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic, we aim to treat your spinal condition with nonsurgical solutions because that’s the least invasive way to obtain relief and regain functionality. However, we are fully equipped and prepared to perform minimally invasive surgical techniques to help you get back to pain-free living. Dr. Lewis has treated degenerative disc disease and other spinal conditions for over 30 years, and many of the surgical solutions we offer are outpatient procedures, so you can heal in the comfort of your own home.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation regarding degenerative disc disease and other spinal conditions. We’ll find the right solution that works for you. Call us at (601) 366-1011.