Finding Treatment Solutions for Degenerative Disc Disease
Preserving Motion Through Advanced Surgical Techniques from Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic
As you get older, it’s normal for your body to lose its resiliency. The natural wear and tear on your joints is not only common in areas like the knees and hips but it can also affect the discs in your spine as time goes on. When this happens, it can cause feelings of pain and discomfort, particularly in the neck and lower back. These areas of the spine are often utilized the most and therefore, undergo more stress, typically resulting in low-level chronic pain with sporadic episodes of severe pain. In addition to pain, degenerative disc disease can also cause numbness, weakness and radicular, or shooting pains, through the arms and legs. Despite its name, this condition is not a disease, rather it is simply a natural occurrence that typically accompanies aging.
Motion Preservation via Artificial Disc Replacement
Normally, the rubbery discs located between your vertebrae act as shock absorbers and give your spine the full range of motion it needs to flex, bend and twist. However, when your discs degenerate due to age or injury, they will no longer provide as much protection, causing pain and in serious cases, affect nerve function. Fortunately, in most cases where there is only mild degeneration of the spinal discs, the affected person is usually not aware that this condition has developed. Even so, more severe conditions can often be successfully treated with doctor prescribed medications, physiotherapy and minimally invasive surgical procedures including motion preservation surgery via artificial disc replacement.
Let’s take a closer look at what this type of procedure involves and how it can benefit you:
- Artificial Discs: In the past, spinal fusions were the go-to for addressing painful conditions of the spine. Today, the goal of surgical treatment is to preserve motion instead of eliminating it at the joint. One of the ways in which this can be achieved is through artificial disc replacement. The affected disc or discs are removed and motion is maintained with the help of a prosthetic device that mimics your real discs and is implanted into the cavity.
- Benefits of Artificial Disc Replacement: This type of procedure offers patients relief from the symptoms of degenerative disc disease without compromising the integrity of their natural spinal structure. Artificial disc replacement is less invasive, offers a faster recovery, helps to decrease stress on adjacent spinal discs and maintains motion preservation.
At Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic, we understand that spinal surgery may not be your initial treatment option of choice. However, depending on your case, it may be the best and only way to overcome your spinal disorder. Fortunately, Dr. Lewis specializes in using minimally invasive surgical techniques including artificial disc replacements, to help you feel better faster. He can determine if you are a suitable candidate for motion preservation surgery, or if an alternative course of treatment is better for you based on your age, lifestyle, medical history and symptoms. Keeping our commitment to high-quality patient care and satisfaction in focus, Dr. Lewis will ensure every patient is supported and understands what to expect before, during and after all procedures.
If you are seeking minimally-invasive surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease, we are here to help. Contact us today at (601) 366-1011 to make an appointment for a consultation. You can also request an appointment online. We’ll find a solution that works for you!