Adjacent Segment Disease
Adjacent segment disease is a progressed form of adjacent segment degeneration, a condition that often occurs after a spinal fusion or other back surgery.
Spinal fusion is surgery that is typically performed when vertebrae become so unstable that movement affects the nerves or causes pain. Using hardware and bone grafts to permanently “lock” two or more vertebrae together, a spinal fusion makes the damaged section of spine immovable. This forced lack of movement puts increased stress at the remaining adjacent levels of the spine, causing degeneration at an accelerated rate.
Symptoms of Adjacent Segment Disease
- Pain
- Radiculopathy (nerve pain that radiates into the arms or legs)
- Myelopathy (spinal cord compression affecting strength or coordination)
Conditions That May Develop
- Bone spurs
- Degenerative spondylolisthesis
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
Adjacent Segment Disease Risk Factors
Adjacent segment disease is seen more in people who have other risk factors like arthritis or other condition that predispose them to disc degeneration or disease.
Treatment of Adjacent Segment Disease
While conservative treatments won’t be able to stop the progression of the disease, they can help ease the pain during its early stages. Treatments may include one or more of the following:
- Physical therapy and strengthening exercises
- Rest and a restriction of physical activity
- Injections (corticosteroids) to help reduce the pain and swelling
- Medications and analgesics to reduce pain and swelling
Minimally invasive surgery may be necessary if conservative treatments fail to relieve the pain. If you are experiencing symptoms, call 234.867.7965 to schedule an appointment with a Summa spine specialist.
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Meet Our Spine Team
Part of the Summa Health Orthopedics Institute, our spine team is led by board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons who specialize in treating disorders of the spine.
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