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Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge
Bone & Joint Staff • June 18, 2022
Spinal Fusion for Degenerative Disc Disease: Is it Right for You?

As we age, wear-and-tear on our spinal discs can lead to lower back and neck pain. This condition – commonly referred to as degenerative disc disease – typically consists of chronic pain along with smaller, less frequent episodes of severe pain. Spinal fusion is one route of treatment for degenerative disc disease, but there are other options to consider in consultation with your doctor.


Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

In addition to wear-and-tear, risk factors like obesity, smoking, work involving lots of heavy lifting and injury to the back can increase the likelihood of developing degenerative disc disease. General symptoms of the condition include:

  • Pain that gets worse when sitting. This relates to the fact that discs in the lower back have three times more load on them when sitting than when standing.
  • Pain that worsens when you lift, bend or twist.
  • Severe pain that comes and goes. Depending on where the affected disc is located, this can include shooting pain in your arms or legs as well as weakness and numbness.
  • Feeling better when you are walking, running or lying down rather than while standing or sitting.


Spinal Fusion and Other Treatments

Spinal fusion is a type of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) used to correct spine pain, weakness and instability that can accompany conditions like degenerative disc disease. The procedure uses bone or similar material to promote fusion between two or more vertebrae, ultimately eliminating motion between them and restoring spine strength and stability.


The procedure only requires a hospital stay of about two to three days. Those who get a spinal fusion may experience some pain and discomfort, but it usually can be controlled well with medications.


Before getting a spinal fusion, your doctor may recommend other non-surgical treatments like:


Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Baton Rouge

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) may be used to treat various forms of spinal injury or disease that do not respond to non-surgical treatment methods. MISS utilizes small incisions and special surgical tools such as endoscopes and lasers to allow spine surgery to be performed with minimal disruption to the body and reduced complications. If you are suffering from the signs and symptoms of degenerative disc disease, contact Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge to learn how our team of orthopedic specialists can help.

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The Signs and Symptoms of a Torn Meniscus

The Signs and Symptoms of a Torn Meniscus

By The Bone & Joint Clinic Staff • February 11, 2025
Damage to the meniscus, which serves as a cushion between the thigh and shin bones, can cause severe pain and impair movement.
Understanding the Most Common Types of Arthritis and Managing It at Different Life Stages

Understanding the Most Common Types of Arthritis and Managing It at Different Life Stages

By The Bone & Joint Clinic Staff • January 31, 2025
While it is often associated with aging, arthritis can affect individuals at any stage of life. Understanding the different types of arthritis and how to manage them at various life stages is key to maintaining a high quality of life.

Bone & Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge Physician Practice Transition – Effective April 1, 2025

By Bone and Joint Clinic Staff • January 30, 2025
BATON ROUGE, LA, January 30, 2025 – Effective April 1, 2025, four distinguished orthopedic surgeons from The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will transition to Baton Rouge Orthopedic Clinic (BROC), continuing their commitment to providing high-quality orthopedic care. The physicians joining BROC are: 1. Joseph "Jeb" Broyles, MD – Specializes in joint replacement surgery, knee arthroscopy, and cartilage regeneration. 2. Arthur "Art" Hess, MD – Specializes in trauma, hip, knee, and shoulder reconstruction, and total joint replacement surgery. 3. Mat hew "Matt" Mazoch, M D – Specializes in shoulder and knee surgery. 4. Alan Schroeder, MD – Specializes in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. Beginning April 1, 2025, these physicians will operate under BROC's umbrella while continuing to see patients at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge's current location, 7301 Hennessy Blvd. Eventually, the doctors plan to transition to BROC's campus on Bluebonnet Blvd. The estimated timeline for that move is Summer/Fall 2025. In addition, Dr. Patrick Hall will be transitioning to his own practice, Hall Podiatry, that will continue to provide quality podiatric care to patients. Dr. Hall will continue to practice at 7301 Hennessy Blvd. until May/June 2025. After that date, patients may see him at a new nearby location. Dr. Zachary Rohr and Christopher Belleau will also transition their practice to a new location effective March 31, 2025. We will update our patients once those details are finalized. Dr. Gerard Murtagh of The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will be retiring effective March 2025. Dr. Murtagh has been a vital part of the clinic since 1988 and has significantly contributed to its success. We thank Dr. Murtagh for his many years of service to the patients of Bone & Joint Clinic. Patients are encouraged to continue scheduling appointments at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge using the current process for the foreseeable future. To ensure a seamless transition, The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will provide detailed information to patients in the coming weeks, including the secure transfer of medical records and continuity of care. The health and well-being of patients remain the top priority, and The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge, BROC, and Hall Podiatry are working together to make this transition as smooth as possible while maintaining uninterrupted care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, patients can contact The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge at 225-766-0050 or by visiting bjcbr.com . Patients can also reach BROC at 225-924-2424 or by visiting brortho.com .
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