Degenerative Disc Disease

Types of Surgery to Treat Degenerative Disc Disease

The main surgical procedures to treat DDD include:

• Discectomy – the removal of a damaged intervertebral disc. This is usually done to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves that may be causing pain.
• Fusion – which involves joining two or more vertebrae together.
• Laminectomy – which involves removing the vertebral lamina to create more room for the spinal cord.

Recovery from DDD Spine Surgery

Recovery time following DDD spine surgery varies depending on the type of procedure performed and the patient’s overall health. Generally, it can take up to six weeks to experience full relief from certain symptoms but it can also take several months.  The doctors postoperative instructions need to be followed strictly to ensure the best chance of a successful recovery.

Risks of Surgery

As with any surgery, there are risks associated with DDD spine surgery; however, if the appropriate choice of surgery is performed correctly for the specific DDD occurrence, by an experienced spine surgeon, and with the necessary precautions, it can be a successful treatment.