A herniated disc occurs when the cartilage tissue between the vertebrae ruptures over time as a result of strain and compression of the nerve roots. Herniated disc usually occurs in the last two lumbar vertebrae. Herniated disc pain is a pain caused by compression of the nerves in the lumbar region. Herniation can occur at any level of the spine. The symptoms of a herniated disc are usually characterized by pain that radiates to the legs and feet. This discomfort limits the person's mobility.
A stroke occurs when a certain part of the body loses nerve impulses. This requires a significant amount of brain or nerve tissue to be damaged. A herniated disc, on the other hand, usually affects a single nerve root to the leg. Therefore, the term "paralysis" is too strong for this disease. In herniated disc surgery, on the contrary, the nerve root that has been crushed by the hernia is released from the pressure.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
Althoughherniated disc symptoms are popularly known as low back pain, it causes more pain in the hip or leg rather than low back pain. The accompaniment of low back pain may vary from person to person. In general, a herniated disc manifests itself with pain radiating to the buttocks, legs and feet. In addition, the symptoms of a herniated disc can be listed as follows;
- Pain in the hip and leg,
- Numbness and tingling,
- Low back pain
- Muscle weakness,
- Not being able to stand on tiptoe,
- Difficulty walking,
- Significant restrictions in movement,
- Difficulty sitting and getting up,
- Urinary incontinence
- Do not get tired quickly,
- In advanced stages, it may also cause loss of strength in the leg.
What are the Risk Factors Causing Herniated Disc?
Lumbar disc herniation is a condition that can be seen at almost any age. Early diagnosis and treatment greatly increases the possibility of recovery. Risk factors that cause herniated disc are as follows;
- Smoking because it causes fluid loss,
- Overweight and sedentary lifestyle,
- Working bent over for long periods of time,
- People with desk jobs,
- People who are drivers by profession,
- Pregnancy
- Not doing sports or doing sports incorrectly can also cause a herniated disc.
How is a herniated disc diagnosed?
Forthe diagnosis of herniated disc , the patient must first undergo a doctor's examination. Clinical examination is very important in the diagnostic process. MR imaging is the most important diagnostic tool to support clinical examination findings and for differential diagnosis. In cases of loss of strength in the leg and foot, EMG helps to evaluate the course of the disease. Treatment planning is made depending on the results.
How is a herniated disc treated?
In the treatment of herniated disc, it is important how much of the symptoms and complaints are observed in the patient. If the patient shows mild symptoms, the pain caused by the hernia can be reduced with the use of medication. These medications include painkillers and muscle relaxants. If the symptoms are severe, surgery may be necessary to treat the herniated disc. Physiotherapy is often used and aims to strengthen the muscles.
The discal structure, which acts as a support between the bone structures called vertebrae in the lumbar region, which form the basic skeletal structure of the body, and minimizes friction in movements, may degenerate over time or may be displaced due to reverse movement, heavy lifting and similar reasons. The nerves that exit between the two vertebrae and travel especially towards the legs may be under pressure due to the displacement of this discal structure. As a result, problems such as pain, numbness and weakness in the legs may occur. In advanced stages of the disease, even sudden urinary incontinence may occur.
80-85% of lumbar herniated discs can be improved with Physical Therapy and exercise applications. In Physical Therapy, superficial and deep heaters are used to increase blood flow and accelerate healing. Pain relief and muscle strengthening electrical currents are used to relieve pain and strengthen weakened muscles.
With electric lumbar traction systems called traction, the waist is pulled at body weight ratios, opening the spinal spaces, shrinking the hernia and reducing nerve compression. Exercises accompanied by a physiotherapist strengthen the muscles supporting the waist and increase the stability of the waist. Reducing the weight with the diet program to be applied will also reduce the load on the waist and provide regression of complaints.
What are the 5 Conditions that Require Surgery in Lumbar Hernia?
We do not recommend surgery unless there are conditions that require surgery. There are situations where surgery is necessary after non-surgical methods are used to treat herniated discs and treatment is not realized. We can list these situations as follows;
- Loss of strength in the patient's leg due to hernia,
- Impaired walking, especially due to reasons such as clubfoot,
- External hernias, a very painful condition,
- Affection of many nerve roots called "Cauda Equina",
- In the presence of progressive pain that does not respond to long-term medical treatment, surgery is necessary in these cases.
Is Lumbar Hernia Surgery Risky?
Today, herniated disc surgeries are performed using microscopes or endoscopes. Thanks to these advanced methods, surgeons can avoid surgical complications such as damaging the nerves during surgery or damaging the nerves to a great extent. Since nerve injuries are reduced thanks to these methods, surgery-related problems have decreased considerably in recent years.
