A collapsed disc is a condition that develops in the spine when degeneration occurs and the discs begin to lose their height. After the disc collapses, it is no longer able to act as a stabilizer for the spine, resulting in symptoms such as back pain, tingling, numbness and weakness that radiates into the extremities.

If you have been diagnosed with this condition, and conservative treatments like pain medication, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, chiropractic care and epidural steroid injections failed to relieve your symptoms, you may require surgery. Before undergoing surgical intervention, it is important to learn more about your options by asking your doctor the questions described below.

What you should know before your collapsed disc surgery

1. What type of surgery will I need to relieve my collapsed disc? Your doctor will either recommend you undergo a traditional open spine surgery or a minimally invasive spine surgery. Traditional open spine surgery is a highly invasive procedure that uses a large incision to remove the damaged disc or vertebrae and potentially fuse the spine. USA Spine Care’s minimally invasive spine surgery is a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery^ that uses a small incision to remove part or all of the collapsed disc and possibly stabilize the spine.
2. How should I prepare for this surgical procedure? Prior to your surgery, make sure that your procedure has been fully explained to you and all of your questions have been addressed. Make any accommodations for transportation after surgery and have a support system in place to aid you in your recovery. Be sure to also make any lifestyle adjustments before your procedure, like changing your diet, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption. It is important to take it easy leading up to your procedure to avoid exacerbating your condition in any way.
3. What are the risks associated with this type of surgery? In the case of traditional open spine surgery, the rate of infection can be up to 16 percent and the complication rate is 16.4 percent. With USA Spine Care, on the other hand, our procedures do not disrupt the muscles or ligaments surrounding the spine, and our surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, allowing us to have a lower risk of infection and complication as well as less surgical blood loss compared to traditional open spine surgery.^
4. When can I return to work and my daily activities? The recovery time for traditional open spine surgery can take anywhere from six months to a year. However, USA Spine Care’s minimally invasive spine surgery allows for no lengthy recovery.^ 81 percent of our patients have reported returning to work within three months after surgery and 88 percent of our patients reported returning to daily activities within three months after surgery.^ To learn how our procedures can have you up and walking within a few hours after surgery,^ contact our team today.

Find out if our collapsed disc surgery would be effective for you

At USA Spine Care, we have helped thousands of patients find lasting relief from their chronic pain and discomfort, setting us apart as the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery. To learn more about our collapsed disc procedures and find out if you are a potential candidate, reach out to our dedicated team today and ask for a free MRI review.* We are here to help guide you on your road to recovery.

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