Patients who have not found pain relief through conservative (nonsurgical) care and have suffered a diminution in their quality of life and ability to function because of a symptomatic degenerated disc should educate themselves and discuss the benefits and risks of each type of surgery with their physician.
Benefits of Degenerative Disc Disease Surgery
In addition to possibly improving one’s quality of life, there are some benefits to surgery:
- Once the disc has been identified as the source of pain, surgery directly treats that source by removing the degenerated disc. Non-surgical interventions focus on managing the pain and improving back functionality but do not reverse the pathologic process of disc degeneration.
- Surgical techniques and devices continue to evolve so that the outcomes of procedures improve. Less invasive fusion techniques, artificial discs, newer bone harvesting techniques, and bone graft substitutes constitute real breakthroughs that expand surgical options for patients.
Lumbar Fusion Surgery
Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery
Artificial Cervical disc replacement (ACDR), sometimes called total disc replacement (TDR), is a newer and somewhat more complex procedure than fusion.
Artificial disc replacement surgery involves the following steps:
- Accessing the affected vertebral segment by making an incision in the lower abdominal wall;
- Dissecting behind the “six-pack” muscles;
- Working behind the bag of abdominal contents without disturbing them;
- Removing the degenerated disc;
- Restoring the height of the collapsed disc;
- Remobilizing the segment by releasing the contracted ligaments around the disc;
- And inserting an artificial disc in the correct position.
This type of surgery has been available in some countries for a number of years, and in the US one technology was made generally available in 2004.
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Neck & Spine Specialities
Dr. Nourian has an enviable record of successfully treating the full spectrum of neck and spine problems.
Arthritis
Bulging/Herniated Discs
Disease & Disorders
Degeneration
Fractures
Infections
Injuries
Sciatica
Scoliosis
Spinal Stenosis
Stiff Neck
Tumors
General Orthopedics
Specialist in treating a wide variety of injuries and conditions that impact bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.
Arthritis
Bursitis
Chronic Pain
Deformities
Disorders
Fractures
Injuries
Sprains
Strains
Tendonitis
