Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is a spinal disorder that may develop after spinal fusion (eg, instrumentation, bone graft). Although ASD is widely known to be a potential complication of spinal fusion, it can also be caused by natural degenerative changes that occur in the spine due to aging.
ASD may produce symptoms like those that led you to spine surgery in the first place.
Adjacent segment disease has two main causes.
Ageing: There is a natural degenerative process that takes place in the spine. As we age, the cushioning discs
in our spine dry out and the disc space gradually "collapses" and loses its normal height.
Fusion Surgery: Fusing / locking bones together is thought to potentially accelerate degeneration
by increasing the stress and motion above and below the fusion level. However,
not everyone with a spine fusion develops ASD and not all spine fusions are the same.
Milder forms of ASD that are not causing spinal instability, pain or nerve problems may be treated non-surgically. Physical therapy may help improve body mechanics, and medications and spinal injections can help ease inflammation and pain. Severe cases of ASD—those that compromise the stability of your spine and/or nerve health—may require a second surgery. In most cases this will be another fusion.
Dr. Sahil Batra can help relieve your pain and improve your quality of life.