Which are the treatment options for degenerative disc conditions in New Jersey?

Degenerative disc disorder refers to an age-related condition when one or more discs between vertebrae of the spinal column deteriorate, causing fatigue, numbness, and pain that radiates down the legs. While obesity, a traumatic injury, smoking, and strenuous physical work cause degenerative disc disorder, aging is the leading cause, and it’s inevitable. Most degenerative discs in Shrewsbury are treated surgically and non-surgically at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine in New Jersey to help you alleviate the pain and get back your mobility.

Treatment

When your spinal disc cushion dries out and wears away, it results in other problems such as spinal stenosis, herniated disc, adult scoliosis, and spondylolisthesis.  The tearing also causes neck pain, back pain, arm and leg numbness, and difficulties lifting and bending. Without treatment, the pain can be excruciating.

Dr. Steve and Marc perform diagnosis through physical exams, X-ray, CT, and MRI to determine pain level, muscle strength, and nerve function to administer the following treatments;

Non- surgical treatments

Physical therapy. Your doctor recommends specific movements and exercises to strengthen your core, which helps prevent further damage to the spine and relieve pain.

Weight loss. If you are obese, this can cause problems related to the spine because excess weight causes the spinal disc to pull out of the ligament; therefore, losing weight helps you alleviate the pain and prevent spinal nerve damage.

Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. They help alleviate swelling and pain caused by inflammations due to degenerated discs.

Epidural steroid injections. The shot contains cortisone which is anti-inflammatory which helps to reduce inflammation around nerve roots and numb pain.

 Electrothermal therapy (IDET). It Uses electric currents to burn sensory nerves preventing pain from reaching your brain.

Percutaneous disc nucleoplasty. It is a minimally invasive procedure that uses small needles and advanced radiofrequency to reduce and relieve pain in the injured disc.

Spinal cord stimulation. It helps to mask pain before reaching the brain.

Surgical treatments

Spinal decompression. The surgeon removes pieces of bone that presses the nerve to relieve pain and free space. These procedures include;

Laminectomy. It is the removal of the lamina to create space.

Foraminotomy. The procedure to make foramen larger.

Facetectomy. Removal of the facet joint to relieve pressure.

Endoscopic decompression. It is used to remove pressure on the spinal cord.

Discectomies. It is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the removal of a damaged portion or entire disc as follows;

Microdiscectomy. Removal of a portion of the disc to relieve pressure.

Artificial disc placement. It involves the removal of the whole disc and replacing it with an artificial one.

Decompressor discectomy. It is the removal of a portion of an irritating disc to relieve nerve pressure.

Spinal fusion. It is the procedure that fuses surrounding vertebrae to stabilize severely damaged discs. These include;

• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion to help relieve chronic neck pain.
• Anterior lumbar interbody fusion helps to alleviate lower back pain

Consult a degenerative disc specialist today

You can do plenty of activities to keep your back strong and healthy, but degenerative disc disease becomes as inevitable as death and paying taxes as time marches on. Get the best treatment by a team of experts in Shrewsbury to keep your mobility and enjoy daily activities.