Maybe you can stand the pain, but what about the injury?
In advanced lumbar hernia, in case of persistent pain and neurological damage, the treatment method may be surgery. One of the last stages of minimally invasive surgery today is Endoscopic Microdiscectomy. With this method, it is possible to return to daily life in a shorter time compared to classical surgery and waist comfort can be provided. Herniated disc, which is very common in society, is considered one of the most feared diseases due to loss of workforce and long-term treatments. However, today, thanks to modern diagnosis and treatment methods, the recovery rate has reached a successful point.
What is herniated disc?
Lumbar hernia is the rupture of the outer part of the disc consisting of two different cartilages, which fills the gap between the bones that make up the human spine and distributes the body load in a balanced way, and overflows into the nerve canal and puts the nerves in its vicinity under pressure.
What are the symptoms of herniated disc?
The most common symptom is low back pain and especially pain in the legs. In addition, in the longer term, complaints such as numbness, weakness, and rarely burning and pins-and-needles can be seen, especially in the legs and feet.
Should every hernia patient be operated on?
The vast majority of herniated disc patients can be treated with medical treatment. There are various stages in the treatment of the disease, depending on the degree of hernia. Surgery is required in 5 to 10 percent of all hernia patients. The necessity of surgery should be determined by the specialist doctor of the subject.
What are the treatment methods other than surgery?
In patients who do not require surgery, rest, drug therapy and physical therapy can be applied, and a corset can be recommended. With the exercise program, the patient should be taught to use the waist ergonomically.
When is surgical treatment preferred?
In advanced lumbar hernia, if the pain does not respond to any medical treatment and/or there is neurological damage, the treatment method may be surgery.
What is the basis of hernia surgery?
The basis of hernia surgery; It is the removal and cleaning of the hernia part that keeps the nerve tissue under pressure by herniating between the spinal bones and displacing the spinal cord and nerve tissue, and relieving the nerve tissue. A surgical intervention is absolutely necessary to reach this herniated area.
What are the surgical treatment methods?
Surgical techniques applied today:
•Classical discectomy: It is the removal of the hernia piece by classical surgical method. It is known as open surgery.
•Microdiscectomy: It is performed under the microscope by opening a smaller surgical section.
•Endoscopic Microdiscectomy: It is performed under scopy with the help of video-endoscope in appropriate cases. It is one of the last stages of minimally invasive surgery today. It is of two types, translaminar and transforaminal. In lumbar hernia surgery, the appropriate surgical technique should be decided for the patient. Not every technique gives the same results for every patient. The type of surgery will change in other spinal problems such as narrow canal, segmental instability, and listesis accompanying the hernia.
When can the patient recover after surgery?
Since the Endoscopic Microdiscectomy method is a smaller surgical intervention compared to other methods, the patient’s recovery is also comfortable. The patient who was operated with the endoscopic microdiscectomy method can be discharged from the hospital the next day. Desk workers can return to work in 3-4 weeks, physical workers in 4-6 weeks.
Why is early diagnosis important?
Early diagnosis ensures that the appropriate treatment is decided as soon as possible. Progress can be prevented by teaching low back ergonomics to patients who do not require surgical treatment. The patient’s benefit rate is higher from surgery performed with an appropriate timing. Although the treatments performed after the disease has passed a certain period of time relieve the pain, numbness, weakness or other symptoms of the disease may not completely improve. Therefore, early diagnosis and, if necessary, early surgical treatment are very important in lumbar hernia.
