Zeitschrift für Wirbelsäulen- und Neurochirurgie

Current Alternatives for Treatment of Degenerative Spinal Disc Disease

Bilgehan Solmaz, Ahmet Levent Aydin, Cengiz Gomleksiz, Yaprak Ataker, Tunc Oktenoglu, Mehdi Sasani and Ali Fahir Ozer

Current Alternatives for Treatment of Degenerative Spinal Disc Disease

The improvements in non fusion techniques for the treatment of degenerative spinal discs disease and the other related conditions commenced a new era of spine surgery. This new techniques are different from conventional fusion methods. Fusion methods for treating degenerative segmental disc disease which knowingly impair normal motion by disrupting articular surfaces and locking two or more spinal vertebrae segments as a single unit. Non fusion methods aim to provide stabilization while maintaining the mobility and function of the spine. Many instruments were developed to provide stabilization without fusion. Among them, the application of pedicle screw-based systems is more familiar to spine surgeons.