What are the risks of surgery for degenerative disc disease?

Q: What are risks of a surgery for degenerative disc disease . What are the chances of failure of the surgery?

A:The risks are that of any major operation in the elderly. If a fusion is done then the spine will be stiff locally. Other levels are likely to denerate. If simple decompression is done which is the best option for single level disease, then the risks are minimal.