Many degenerative disc disease patients respond well to non-surgical treatments. Medications, occupational and/or physical therapy, a supportive corset or brace, injections of steroids and local anesthetic, as well as emerging new therapies may manage symptoms and limit further damage. However, when conservative treatments do not provide relief, surgery may be recommended. Surgeries used for patients with degenerative disc disease can include such procedures as spinal fusion to provide stability, a decompression surgery to alleviate nerve impingement, or artificial disc replacement.