Treatment for degenerative disk disease
Degenerative disk disease (DDD) is a condition that affects disks within your spine. These disks serve as cushions between the vertebrae and when they’re damaged or worn down, they may cause pain and other complications. Although there isn’t a cure for DDD however, there are solutions offered that can enhance your quality of life. In this blog we will look at the many options for treatment for DDD which include surgery and non-surgical methods. We will also look at ways you can treat your symptoms and live a healthy life despite this illness. So if you are suffering from DDD continue reading – we have some helpful details for you!
What exactly is degenerative disk disease and what are the signs
Degenerative disk disease is a condition that causes the degradation of the disks which cushion vertebrae of your spine. The disks created to dampen shock and safeguard your vertebrae against wear and tear. But, as time passes they may degrade and become less effective at helping cushion the back. This may cause stiffness, pain, and other symptoms. degenerative disk disease is often result of aging and repetitive movement. But, it could also be caused by injuries or infections. degenerative disk disease is usually treated with conservative treatments such as rest, ice, heat and physical therapy. In certain cases, chiropractic treatment or surgery could be required. degenerative disk disease can be an extremely painful and debilitating illness. But, with the right treatment, most sufferers are able to control their symptoms and lead a normal life.
How will it be treated? surgery or non-surgical techniques
Degenerative disk disease is one of the most prevalent degenerative conditions that affect the spine. It occurs when the disks which cushion the vertebrae of the spine begin to break down, causing stiffness and pain. degenerative disk disease can be addressed with surgery or non-surgical techniques.
Non-surgical options include
- Physical therapy for helping to improve range of motion and reduce pain.
- Chiropractic adjustments: to align the spine and reduce strain on disks.
- Massage Relax the muscles and ease tension.
- Acupuncture is used to stimulate healing and reduce the feeling of pain.
Surgical methods include:
- Disk Replacement replacement: replacing damaged disk with a new disk.
- Fusion means to join vertebrae together so they can heal as one whole.
- Laminectomy means to remove a small section of bone from the vertebrae and ease pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
Degenerative disk disease can be a painful condition, but there are options to help improve symptoms and your quality of life. Talk to your doctor about what treatment option is suitable for you.
What are the potential risks and benefits of each type of treatment?
Degenerative disk disease can be treated using medical procedures, for example, chiropractic care, physical therapy and surgery. Each procedure comes with its own risks and benefits. Chiropractic care is a non-surgical treatment that relies on manual adjustments to improve the spine’s alignment and relieve pain. Physical therapy can be described as a conservative treatment that utilizes exercises to strengthen the muscles and increase flexibility. Surgery is the last option that involves Fusion (or artificial replacement of the disc). Each procedure has its own risks and benefits, so it is essential to talk with your physician to decide the best option for you.
What can you do to prepare yourself for surgery should that be the treatment option you choose to use?
Degenerative disk disease surgery is an alternative in cases where other treatments, like physical therapy, pain medications, and injections of steroids, haven’t resulted in any improvement. Degenerative disk disease surgery involves removing from the injured disk and replacing it with an artificial disk or bone graft. You could also undergo degenerative disk disease surgery to eliminate the herniated disk or bone spur. Degenerative disk disease surgery is an extremely dangerous procedure, with risk and complications, which is why you must be sure to speak to your doctor about all of your options before you decide if degenerative disk disease surgery is the right choice for you.
What should you expect after surgery
The goal the purpose of degenerative disk disease surgery is to relieve pain and improve the function. There are numerous kinds of degenerative disk disease surgery, and the particular procedure you’ll need will be based upon your specific medical condition. However, in general, degenerative disk disease surgery involves removing damage to the disk in exchange for an artificial disk or a donor disk. The surgery is usually done through small cuts in your back. Following the surgery it is possible to stay in hospital for several days. You’ll likely require medication to relieve pain for the next couple of weeks. You may also need use a brace or crutches. Physical therapy will also be an essential component of your rehabilitation. The majority of patients are able to get back to normal activities within a couple of months. If you suffer from degenerative disk disease, talk with your doctor about how degenerative disk disease surgery is suitable for you.
Non-surgical treatments are available for degenerative disk disease – what are they and how effective are they?
There are several nonsurgical treatments in the treatment of degenerative disk disease, and the most effective option depends upon the extent of your issue. Chiropractic care is a non-surgical treatment that may be beneficial for moderate to mild degenerative disk disease. It involves manipulating the spine to align the vertebrae to relieve stress on disks. Physical therapy is another nonsurgical procedure that can strengthen the muscles around the spine and ease pain. In certain instances epidural injections of steroid or surgery could be required to cure degenerative disk disease.
If you’re suffering from any of the signs and symptoms that are typical of degenerative disk disease, it is vital to seek treatment. The two primary options for treatment are surgery as well as non-surgical techniques. Each option has its own risks and benefits that should be considered prior to making a decision about which option is best for you. Surgery is a significant procedure with inherent risks however, it could be the best option for people with severe pain or other debilitating symptoms. Non-surgical therapies are less invasive, however they might not be as effective in treating the various forms of this disease. Whatever treatment you decide to pursue, it is important to be realistic about the type of treatment you will receive and how it will take you to recover.