Degenerative Disc Disease: Evidence-Based Treatment Pathways and Follow-Up

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a prevalent condition within the field of spinal pathology, driven by an aging global population and increased life expectancy. This trend has fueled a parallel surge in DDD-related morbidity and a subsequent rise in socioeconomic burdens, including decreased workforce productivity and escalating healthcare costs. Despite an expanding body of research on DDD management, there remains a lack of consensus regarding optimal treatment pathways and standardized follow-up protocols. Present debates in the literature revolve around the comparative effectiveness of conservative versus surgical interventions, selection criteria for each approach, and the timing and nature of post-treatment monitoring. Recent studies have offered promising insights into individualized therapies, minimally invasive surgical advances, and rehabilitation strategies, but the absence of large-scale, unified guidelines persists as a critical gap. Furthermore, variations in clinical outcomes and a fragmented evidence base hinder the development of universally accepted clinical algorithms for both acute and long-term management of DDD.This Research Topic aims to gather and synthesize high-quality evidence to inform best practices in the treatment and ongoing management of degenerative disc disease. The primary objectives include clarifying indications for various therapeutic modalities, identifying reliable criteria for patient selection, and evaluating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of different follow-up strategies. By examining both established and emerging interventions, this collection seeks to resolve current controversies and guide clinicians toward patient-centered, evidence-based decision-making in DDD management.To gather further insights in the multifaceted landscape of DDD, this Research Topic welcomes research that addresses both the diversity of treatment pathways and the complexity of follow-up care. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:-Comparative effectiveness of conservative and surgical treatment strategies-Innovations in surgical interventions and minimally invasive techniques-Rehabilitation and pain management frameworks post-intervention-Development and validation of clinical algorithms for follow-up and long-term monitoring-Socioeconomic impacts and cost-effectiveness analyses of DDD management approaches-Patient-reported outcomes and quality-of-life studies-Gender, age, and comorbidity factors influencing treatment outcomes Topic editors: Mehmet Yigit Akgun, Ali Fahir Ozer, Tunc Oktenoglu, Ozkan Ates Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78731/degenerative-disc-disease-evidence-based-treatment-pathways-and-follow-up