Disc Replacement Surgery

If you have a degenerative disc in your lower spine, suffer from disabling, chronic lower back pain, then, disc replacement surgery may be for you. While most patients with this condition can be treated non-surgically with anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and injections, there are a few people who continue to suffer with pain. If you have tried all of these options, the pain that you suffer is so debilitating that you can't work, then, surgical treatment may be necessary.

Back Pain Warning Signs

• Pain is gets increasingly worse

• Pain affects your everyday activities

• Groin or leg weakness or numbness

• Arm or hand weakness, tingling, or numbness

• Loss of bowel or bladder control

If you've tried non-surgical treatments for months without experiencing any relief from your symptoms, than you should consider surgery. Before you have disc replacement surgery ask your doctor what your options are, can you have a different type of back surgery? Several surgical procedures use minimally invasive techniques, which means, smaller incision, less time in the hospital, less pain, and a more rapid recovery.

Types of Spinal Surgeries

• Anterior cervical disectomy and fusion

• Cervical corpectomy

• Facetectomy

• Foraminotomy

• Laminoplasty

• Laminotomy

• Laminectomy

If you need disc replacement surgery, don't be afraid to ask why, ask what the purpose of the operation is as well as what you can expect and don't forget to find out about possible complications. You can also request a second opinion if you just aren't sure. Your doctor will be happy to refer you to a specialist to re-evaluate your condition.

Disc Replacement Surgery

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