When that sucker degenerates to the point of requiring surgery, disc replacement, not fusion. Never ever fusion if it's avoidable.
Only a disc replacement allows 100% recovery of full function. A fusion is irreversible and most often done because the surgeon simply isn't qualified to do the procedure, so they don't offer it.
Ironically, it's a much simpler, quickly, cheaper operation with a much faster recovery.
I had two discs replaced during a surgery that lasted less than an hour, through a 1" slit. Went into the hospital at 7Am, walked out for pizza at 3pm.
However, if it's put off too long, and the vertebrae end up getting damaged, it may no longer be an option. So don't rely on pain shots too long.
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