There are 5 pieces of vertebrae in waist part of the spine, and between these bones, there are cartilages with a special connective tissue, called disc. This is the place which carries the body weight the most. The disk, consisting of a core in the middle and a capsule protecting it, is torn under any strain. Herniated disc is formed as a result of overflowing of these disks outward and compressing the nerves.
Herniated disc can occur at any age and is frequently seen in adults of 30 to 60 years of age.
Main factors that play a role in the formation of herniated disc are unconscious movements made during everyday activities, excess weight , physical inactivity and smoking, which increases disk degeneration. Lifting a load by leaning or reaching out or making an awkward movement are among the most effective factors. Degeneration, which increases especially with age, also increases the risk of herniated disc.
The most common symptoms are as follows:
Waist and leg pain
Limitation of movement
Numbness, tingling combined with pain in legs.
Loss of strength
At initial phase of a hernia, surgery is not recommended. The person is often recommended to take muscle relaxant medications, avoid certain movements (bending, lifting a load, etc.), lie in an orthopedic bed and rest.
If hernia progresses, it'll be right to perform physical therapy in the company of an expert. If the pain persists and no improvement is achieved despite physical therapy, a surgical treatment should be carried out. The purpose of herniated disc surgery is to empty the section that has herniated along with core of the disc, and remove the pressure on the nerve.
In the case of conventional surgical treatment, which is less frequently used nowadays, under general anesthesia, the hernia is reached through an incision of 4-5 cm made in the waist and the disk is removed.
In the case of microsurgery, which is frequently used today, applications are performed with a microscope. It has advantages, including that the incision is as small as 2-3 cm and a muscle tissue with less volume is dealt with. The patient stays in the hospital for one day. Rate of recurrence or complication is very low.
In the case of endoscopic surgery, surgery is performed through a tube inserted into a small incision in the waist.
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