HERNIATED DISC
Lumbar hernia is the state of displacement (shift) of the torn cartilage tissue (annulus fibrosus) between the two adjacent vertebral bones to the spinal canal. Thus, compression of the spinal cord and nerves occurs and as a result, the patient complains about lower back pain, leg pain, numbness, tingling, and paralysis. It is mostly seen in the middle age group.
What is the mechanism? How lumbar herniation expose?
It is usually due to abuse of the spine. What does this mean? The back and abdominal muscles are well supporters of the spine and these muscles groups play an important role in the stability of the spine. That’s why sports activities and exercising should be in our daily lives. Excess weight increases the burden of the spine, which causes to degeneration of the spinal column and leads to disc herniations. In addition, uncontrolled leaning forward, heavy load lifting, oblique waist movements are behaviors that disrupt vertebral discs. Familial predisposition, though weak, may also be a cause.
How should be treated?
Lumbar disc hernia can take in many different forms. Treatment is decided according to the type of the hernia, medical examination, and clinical status of the patient. Which patients need surgery? Losing the muscular strength of the leg or foot (progressive neurological deficit), the loss of bladder and bowel control (incontinence); these symptoms are generally forming the indications for surgical intervention. Also, pain can be an indication for surgery. However, the physician and the patient must decide together. If the pain has been present for a long time (3 months or more) then the pain can acquire neuropathic character. In this case, the surgery may not be very gratifying. The patient should be followed up after the operation and after the sixth week starting the exercises to strengthening the abdominal and back muscles and also physical therapy is recommended.