Degenerative Disc Disease

This condition is a weakening of one or more vertebral discs, which normally act as a cushion between the vertebrae. This condition can develop as a natural part of the aging process, but it may also result from injury to the back.

Disc Wall Tears

Degenerative disc disease typically begins when small tears appear in the disc wall, called the annulus. These tears can cause pain.

Disc Wall Heals

When the tears heal, creating scar tissue that is not as strong as the original disc wall. If the back is repeatedly injured, the process of tearing and scarring may continue, weakening the disc wall.

Disc Center Weakens

Over time, the nucleus (or center) of the disc becomes damaged and loses some of its water content. This center is called the pulposus, and its water content is needed to keep the disc functioning as a shock absorber for the spine.

Nucleus Collapses

Unable to act as a cushion, the nucleus collapses. The vertebrae above and below this damaged disc slide closer together. This improper alignment causes the facet joints – the areas where the vertebral bones touch – to twist into an unnatural position.

Bone Spurs Form

In time, this awkward positioning of the vertebrae may create bone spurs. If these spurs grow into the spinal canal, they may pinch the spinal cord and nerves (a condition called spinal stenosis). The site of the injury may be painful.

Symptoms

Some people experience pain, numbness or tingling in the legs. Strong pain tends to come and go. Bending, twisting and sitting may make the pain worse. Lying down relieves pressure on the spine.

No it does not because aging plays a big factor.

It affects 3 million people in the United States every year

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What type of conditions do our Board Certified Spine Surgeons Treat?

A tear in the ligament that connects your vertebrae to your disc

Loss of disc cushioning due to the aging process

The jelly like substance in between your vertebrae pushes through the annulus and touches the spinal cord.

A tear in the ligament that connects your vertebrae to your disc

Loss of disc cushioning due to the aging process

The jelly like substance in between your vertebrae pushes through the annulus and touches the spinal cord.

The narrowing of the spinal canal, can pinch your spinal cord and the nerves around it

Inflammation of the facet joints in the spine

 Degeneration or Inflammation of the Facet Joints

A disc that has lost most of its height which can cause disc pain

often called osteophytes, they are bony growths that can form where the bones meet one another.

Normal wear and tear due to the aging process, can also be called Degenerative Disc Disease

What Surgical Procedures do our Board Certified Spine Surgeons Perform?

Removes a herniated disc in the neck to relieve neck pain

Titanium implant to keep spine stabilized after a decompression surgery (removal of a disc herniation)

Device that gets implanted to replicate the function of a normal disc which replaces a damaged disc.

Removal of the lamina to relieve compression on the spinal cord.

Inject bone cement into the vertebrae to fix a compression fracture.

Surgeon goes in through the waist to relieve nerves that are pinched by removing damaged disc material.

Stabilizes the spinal vertebrae by going in through the back of the patient by creating a fusion with two or more vertebrae.

Removal of a herniated disc or parts of the disc to relieve spinal cord pressure

Removes damaged disc material and fuses the vertebrae together

Reduces a disc herniation with laser technology

Fuses Sacrum and Ilium to create one immobile joint which helps with back pain

Our Neurosurgical Spine Surgery Team

Currently on staff, we have three Neurosurgeons that specialize in spine surgery. Our Spine Surgeons see patients in all five of our office locations in Florida. To find out more on why patients should choose a neurosurgeon for spine surgery rather than an orthopedic spine surgeon click here. If you want to see their credentials click their profiles. 

Neurosurgeons close to me

Dr. Jonathan Hall, MD

Board Certified Neurosurgeon - Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Florida Surgery Consultants New Neurosurgeon Dr. Donna Saatman

Dr. Donna Saatman, MD

Board Certified Neurosurgeon - Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery