Inactivity, obesity and smoking cause herniated discs.
Lumbar disc herniation is one of the leading diseases that lead to loss of labor force in the society. Obesity, inactivity, smoking, not acting in accordance with the physiology of the spine in daily life and occupational factors are considered risk factors for herniated discs. Pointing out that lumbar disc herniation is a very common condition, experts state that only about 2 - 2.5 percent of patients are operated on and if physical therapy does not yield results, surgical operation is performed according to MRI results.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Brain, Nerve and Spinal Cord Surgeon Specialist. Dr. Salih Aydın made important evaluations about the causes and treatment processes that cause herniated discs, which are common in the society.
First choice of physical therapy in herniated disc
Brain, Nerve and Spinal Cord Surgeon Specialist. Prof. Dr. Salih Aydın stated that 80 percent of adults complain of pain in the lumbar region at least once in their lifetime and said the following:
"Lumbar disc herniation is one of the leading diseases that cause loss of labor force in the society. Risk factors for lumbar disc herniation include obesity, inactivity, smoking, not moving in accordance with the physiology of the spine in daily life and occupational conditions. Lumbar disc herniation is a very common disease, but we do not operate on all patients, the proportion of patients we perform surgical operations is around 2 - 2.5 percent. In lumbar disc herniation, the physician's examination and neuroradiological examinations, i.e. MRI examinations, are of great importance. After making the diagnosis, we try to relieve the patient with bed rest, painkillers, muscle relaxants and physiotherapy at the beginning. However, if the pain in the legs does not go away against these measures, numbness and muscle weakness persist, then we evaluate the patient with the film and decide on surgery."
Canal stenosis causes hernia discomfort
Pointing out that many hernia disorders occur due to canal stenosis, Aydın said, "Not only in the form of hernia rupture and rupture, but also in all patients, whether interlaminar and other transforaminal surgeries, we perform surgery to remove the hernia and widen the canal using micro drill. Thus, the patient is saved from having to use screws and the deterioration of his/her back. The endoscope system developed for narrow canal surgery is available in very few health institutions in the world. We perform successful surgeries using this system in case of canal narrowing accompanying herniated disc."
Endoscopic disc surgery is very important in treatment
Stating that surgical operations are performed in two ways today, Aydın said, "One is the open system and the other is what we call closed system surgeries. Before microscopic microsurgery, herniated disc surgeries were performed completely with the open system. After the invention of the microscope in the late 1970s, microscopic surgery became the gold standard of these operations. However, with the discovery of endoscopy today, the gold standard of this work has become full endoscopic disc surgery, which we call minimally invasive. Because it is very important to perform the operation without disturbing the stability of the spine's mobility, which we call stabilization. The microscopic microsurgical system is currently an invasive method when compared to the endoscopic method. Endoscopic disc surgery should be accepted as the new gold standard."
No surgical disadvantages
Stating that full endoscopic disc surgery has no surgical disadvantages and has many advantages over microscopic surgery, Aydın said, "The important thing at this point is that there is an experienced surgeon and sufficient equipment, that is, the operating room offers the necessary technological infrastructure to perform this operation. We can actually apply endoscopic surgery, known as closed herniated disc surgery, to all patients who need surgery for herniated disc. However, it is not correct for physicians who do not use this surgical system to make some distinctions such as 'this patient is suitable for endoscopy, this is microscopic'."
Facilitates the operation in obese patients
Brain, Nerve and Spinal Cord Surgeon Specialist Dr. Salih Aydın concluded his words by sharing the advantages of endoscopic surgery: "First of all, there is a small wound, so there is less tissue and blood loss. Other advantages are that there is no or very little adhesions, which we call fibrous tissue that may occur after the operation, the ease of surgical approach, especially in overweight obese patients, the need for postoperative painkiller treatment is reduced or even absent, a shorter recovery period and also a very short hospitalization period. Many of our patients have diabetes. We also have patients who use blood thinners. We can perform the surgery even if the patient takes blood thinners."
