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Does disc desiccation require surgery?
Surgery may be necessary if these measures do not work. There are many different ways that surgery can help with a desiccated disc. Possible procedures may include: Fusion: The surgeon will join together the vertebrae surrounding the desiccated disc.
How serious is disc desiccation?
In rare cases, the desiccation is so severe that a fusion operation is recommended to help limit movement at the source of the disc height loss. Patients rarely need this level of medical intervention, especially when the condition is caught in its early stages.
Can you reverse disc desiccation?
While degenerative disc disease can be slowed down and potentially reversed, it’s not a quick fix or process. As the effects of disc degeneration are cumulative and occur gradually over time, chiropractic treatment would focus on lessening the stress on the joints to facilitate structural changes.
At what age does disc desiccation start?
The spine starts degenerating somewhere between the ages of 20 and 25, explains Dr. Anand. But there’s a reason you don’t see most 20-somethings wincing from back pain: it takes a long time for spinal discs to wear down on their own. Normal aging isn’t the only cause of disc degeneration.
Can a dehydrated disc heal?
However, medical professionals treat any serious back and spine issues that stem from dehydration. Although degenerated discs cannot rejuvenate themselves, the medical field has found other techniques to stimulate hydration.
How do you treat disc desiccation?
How is it treated?
- Medication. Pain relievers, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) can help reduce pain.
- Massage therapy. Relaxing the muscles near the affected vertebrae can help relieve painful pressure.
- Physical therapy.
- Spinal injections.
How long does it take to recover from L5 S1?
Recovery time following L5 S1 discectomy occurs gradually, and most patients return to sedentary work within two to four weeks or physical labor in about four to eight weeks, explains WebMD.
What causes pain in the L5 S1?
Common problems include: Disc problems. Lower back disc herniation typically occurs at the L5-S1 level. Facet joint pain. The lumbosacral joint may develop wear-and-tear arthritis (osteoarthritis) over time due to its high load-bearing function. Spondylolysis. Spondylolisthesis.
What is the recovery time for back surgery on L4 and L5?
The recovery time for surgery involving the L4 and L5 vertebrae varies depending on the procedure, states Mayo Clinic. For laminectomy procedures, recovery can take as little as a few weeks. In cases requiring spinal fusion, recovery can take as long as six months.
What causes pain in the L5 S1 joint?
The most common causes of pain that originate in the lumbosacral segment L5-S1 include: L5-S1 disc herniation: The disc becomes herniated when the inner portion leaks out and touches the nearby nerve root, causing pain to radiate in the lower back and/or down the leg.