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Treating spinal problems and back pain from spinal disc herniation.
General information
Treating spinal problems and back pain from spinal disc herniation.
Human intervertebral discs are short, cylindrical structures, approximately one-quarter the height of a vertebra (about 6-8 mm). They are divided into three sets:
The part in the center is soft, similar to jelly.
The surrounding area is fibrous, which has some flexibility.
The portion attached to the vertebrae is similar to cartilage. These three structural components are largely composed of water. The intervertebral discs function to absorb forces and facilitate the movement of the spine.
Back pain from intervertebral disc disease is common in both men and women, most frequently occurring in the lower lumbar spine. This is because this part of the spine experiences the most movement and bears the most weight, making it more prone to degeneration or rupture than other levels of the spine.
How does back pain from a herniated disc occur?
As we age, changes occur. Continue the structure. Intervertebral disc All three parts Specifically, the area where the water volume has decreased. Biochemical changes occur, resulting in a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, reduced shock-absorbing capacity, and tissue tearing. The surrounding fibrous tissue, both circumferentially and radially, causes the central portion to rupture and herniate through tears in the fibrous tissue. This herniated intervertebral disc... It will interfere with or compress the nerves. This causes the patient to experience back pain. Hip pain radiating down the leg
What are the risk factors for back pain from a herniated disc?
Several factors can be risk factors for spinal disc degeneration, including:
Higher age
heredity
Malnutrition
Smoking
Diabetes
Forces acting on the intervertebral discs.
What are the symptoms of back pain from a herniated disc?
Typically, most patients experience back pain as a precursor. They may have a history of falls or lifting heavy objects. The most common symptom is hip pain radiating down the back of the thigh, calf, and to the top or bottom of the foot, especially when standing or bending over. The pain worsens when coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects. Prolonged sitting or standing is also difficult due to the pain.
Abnormal gait, numbness in the legs and/or feet, and/or weakness in the leg muscles and/or feet. In severe cases, difficulty controlling urination and defecation may occur.
When experiencing back pain, what are some basic first aid methods?
The main initial spinal treatments for back pain caused by intervertebral disc herniation include:
Avoid activities that cause pain, such as sitting or standing for extended periods.
Avoid activities or sports that put excessive stress on the back, such as bending over or lifting heavy objects.
Take painkillers such as paracetamol.
When experiencing back pain, what are some basic first aid methods?
The main initial spinal treatments for back pain caused by intervertebral disc herniation include:
Avoid activities that cause pain, such as sitting or standing for extended periods.
Avoid activities or sports that put excessive stress on the back, such as bending over or lifting heavy objects.
Take painkillers such as paracetamol.
When should you see a doctor?
You should see a doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
If you are unable to control your urination and defecation, you must see a doctor immediately, as soon as possible.
Symptoms include numbness in the top or sole of the foot, and inability to fully dorsiflex the ankle, big toe, or flex the big toe as much as with the other foot.
Severe back pain that did not improve after 4 weeks of initial treatment.
How do doctors diagnose back pain caused by a herniated disc?
Doctors diagnose back pain caused by a herniated disc based on the following:
Basic patient information, including age, gender, physical appearance, and medical history, is usually sufficient for diagnosis.
Physical examination revealed that the patient presented with hip pain radiating down the leg, beyond the knee to the calf, top of the foot, or sole of the foot. The patient was unable to fully dorsiflex or extend the ankle, big toe, or big toe as fully as with the other foot.
An X-ray of the spine is used to check for fractures or dislocations in the vertebrae.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine is currently the most popular diagnostic method. It can clearly visualize herniated discs and nerve tissue.
Blood tests and other examinations are unnecessary and do not aid in diagnosis.
How do doctors treat back pain from herniated discs? Is the treatment expensive?
1. Non-pharmacological treatment.
It consists of:
During the acute phase (the first 2 weeks after the onset of pain), avoid activities that worsen back pain. Avoid prolonged periods of bed rest. If back pain is severe, bed rest should not exceed 48 hours. Maintain normal daily activities as much as possible.
In the subacute and chronic phases (lasting more than 2 weeks), treatments proven effective by research include exercise and various branches of spinal rehabilitation medicine (physical therapy). Treatments that may have little or no effect include heat and cold compresses, massage, ultrasound, acupuncture, laser therapy, spinal traction, and lumbar support braces.
2. Medication treatment.
In the acute phase, paracetamol is the first-line analgesic because its effectiveness is similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but it is safer and cheaper. NSAIDs are used only when paracetamol is ineffective. Contraindications for NSAIDs include high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, and kidney disease. Muscle relaxants are also contraindicated.
In subacute and chronic phases, treatment involves pain relievers such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Antidepressants may also help improve radiating leg pain.
3. Injecting pain-relieving medication into the epidural space.
Helps reduce radiating leg pain. Indications: When there is no response to the first two treatments for at least 4-6 weeks, under the supervision of a physician.
4. Percutaneous partial removal of the intervertebral disc.
This is a method of removing spinal discs using chemicals, heat, radiofrequency, laser, spinal disc centrifugation and suction devices, or even partial removal of the disc through the skin using an endoscope. Indications include: non-response to the first two spinal treatments for at least 6 weeks, small to medium-sized herniated discs without fragments, fibrosis adjacent to nerve roots, spinal stenosis, or vertebral displacement. The success rate of this treatment is approximately 90-95%.
5. Surgical removal of the intervertebral disc.
There are two main methods:
The procedure involves making a small incision, approximately 5 centimeters in size.
And by using the standard surgical method, the incision will be approximately 5-7 centimeters in size.
This treatment can treat all types of herniated discs and is the most effective compared to other methods. It is indicated for cases that have not responded to the first two treatments for at least 6 weeks. The average success rate of this treatment is over 90 percent.
6. Spinal treatment without surgery.
Radio wave laser
This method is very popular abroad because it is non-surgical, has lower risks than other methods, and involves a tiny incision the size of a needle (1 millimeter). The laser heats the jelly-like structure of the intervertebral disc's core. When heated, the disc compressing the nerve can contract (think of plastic, which contracts when heated). The procedure only requires one night in the hospital.
*Indications - Used to treat patients with herniated discs or discs compressing the nerves.
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