Herniated Disc: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Methods

What is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc, known as lumbar disc herniation or herniated back in common language, is a back disorder. It occurs due to excessive strain on the lumbar region of the lower back, resulting in wear, rupture, displacement of the discs located between the vertebrae in this area, or compression of the nerve root in that region.

Subsequently, the pressure created on the nerve root can cause lower back pain, leg pain, numbness in the legs, and weakness in the person's muscles.

Generally encountered by people as a result of causes such as lifting excessive weight, a herniated disc causes individuals to experience unbearable pain and discomfort, while also reducing the quality of daily life.

What Are the Causes of a Herniated Disc?

The discs located between the vertebrae in the human body lose the fluid they contain after a certain period of time. The cause of this loss is known to be time and aging. The reduction in fluids significantly affects the resistance of these discs against external factors.

• Suddenly lifting loads that are heavy for the person's back,
• Unconsciously performed back movements and/or exercises,
• Overstraining the back beyond what the person can handle,
• The lack of daily routine body exercises that everyone should perform,
• The person standing for longer than a certain period during the day or sitting for extended periods,
• Sudden traumas such as falls or impacts can cause discs with reduced fluid and durability below acceptable levels to slip or tear.

Herniated discs are generally more common in middle and advanced age. However, in recent times, this age range has decreased considerably, and it has begun to appear in children as well. In some women, this condition has been observed to occur during pregnancy due to excessive and sudden weight gain.

If you do not want to develop a herniated disc at a young age and be forced to cope with pain, you should pay attention to a few of the points mentioned above. In particular, you should move frequently and exercise regularly. Remembering that excessive weight is also a contributing factor, paying attention to your nutrition should be at the top of your list of things to do.

What Are the Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?

Although generally more common between the ages of 30-60, it can also occur at an earlier age due to lack of self-care. If any of the following abnormal conditions we have listed below apply to you, you should consult a specialist as soon as possible.

• Unbearable lower back pain,
• A series of pain extending from the back to the buttocks, and from the buttocks to the legs,
• A tingling sensation and numbness in the person's legs or leg,
• Difficulty standing, weakness felt in the person's feet,
• Serious difficulty in sitting and walking,
• Weakness felt in the person's muscles,
• Difficulty in movements that the person normally performs daily,
• Decreased sexual function,
• Quick and short-term fatigue in routine daily activities,
• Loss of bladder control,
• Loss of balance in daily life—if you have these symptoms, you must consult a specialist, and if this condition has developed, you should begin the treatment process.

How is a Herniated Disc Diagnosed?

The diagnostic process begins when a person complains of the symptoms listed above and visits a doctor who is a specialist in this field. Initially, during the physical examination, the patient's daily life history and medical history are taken. Following the physical examination, it is inevitable that the doctor will request a neurological examination for more detailed investigation to be certain.

For examinations and tests requiring imaging; X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography are high-tech devices used in diagnosing this condition.

Precautions must be taken when performing some of these tests with these devices, knowing that the person will be exposed to high radiation. Special situations requiring special care, such as pregnancy, must be shared with the doctor. If not shared, irreversible consequences can occur.

How is a Herniated Disc Treated?

As with everything else, the diagnosis and treatment method for this condition varies from person to person. First, it should be known that the treatment of this condition is also personalized, and a treatment plan should be created accordingly.

For example, if the person's severe pain persists and the herniated disc diagnosis indicates an advanced stage—that is, in cases where a herniated disc rupture occurs due to damage and tearing of the final ligament tissue—this is a surgical condition requiring operation.

However, if the pain is not severe and the herniated disc diagnosis is not determined to be advanced, the goal is to eliminate this condition using physical therapy and medication methods suitable for the person.

During the treatment process, the person should avoid sudden movements that strain the back and is advised not to lift heavy objects. The patient, who should rest as much as possible, should not neglect to attend physical therapy appointments.

Can a Herniated Disc Be Treated Without Surgery?

In cases of herniated disc problems, the doctor's primary goal is to find ways to improve the patient without surgery. If the condition has reached an advanced stage where it prevents the person from their daily life, the surgical option is reconsidered.

In cases where the doctor diagnoses non-advanced herniated disc, initial treatments include ultrasonic heat therapy, electrical stimulation applied to the person, and cold application. These enable the patient to recover and progress to physical therapy application, making exercises easier to perform.

The primary goal in treating a herniated disc without surgery is to minimize the nerve irritation caused by the herniated region while protecting the spine and allowing it to return to its previous healthy state.

Physical therapy is an integral part of this condition, and it must be started early in the course of treatment, and exercises must be performed without fail. Communication between the doctor and patient should be strong, and important information should be provided regarding what will be done and how to live during the treatment process.

How is Herniated Disc Surgery Performed?

In addition to important treatments applied in herniated discs, advanced hernias require surgical operation. This surgery is performed under general anesthesia, local anesthesia, or spinal anesthesia.

After listening to the patient's general history, the presence of any contraindications to surgery should be observed. High-risk conditions such as anesthesia complications must be discussed with the patient before the surgical process begins.

First, the location of the herniation between the discs is determined, and the operation begins. Then, a small incision is made in the area of the herniation, and the operation is initiated. During the surgery, the person lies face down.

After surgery, with the anesthesia wearing off, the patient can stand up comfortably, necessary checks are performed, and the patient can be discharged within a day. The patient must be informed about what they need to do during the recovery period following surgery.

After Herniated Disc Surgery

Before discharging a person who has undergone herniated disc surgery, final checks must be performed, and the patient should be informed of the rules they must follow.

• First, the patient should never lift heavy objects.
• Sudden bending movements forward, sideways, or backward should not be performed. When needing to bend toward the ground, squatting should be done instead of bending.
• When sitting, the back should be positioned to maintain the lumbar curve, and if necessary, a supportive pillow should be placed behind the back. Prolonged sitting should be avoided.
• People who must sit due to their occupation should stand up and move every hour.
• When items need to be taken from heights, they should not reach up; instead, a step stool should be used.
• Exposure to cold is strongly advised against.
• The person must rest frequently. These recommendations apply not only to returning to life after surgery but are also rules that non-ill people should follow to avoid developing this condition.

What Are the Exercises for Herniated Disc?

Exercises performed for herniated disc conditions are extremely important. They strengthen the weakened muscles in the back and spinal region.

They increase people's range of motion and relieve pain by correcting postural abnormalities.

These movements must be performed every day. They must be performed daily without fail. If not done daily, positive results cannot be achieved. Unless your doctor gives you specific time instructions, it is recommended to perform them 15 minutes each in the morning and evening.

According to their performance methods:

• Relaxation
• Lying down and getting out of bed movements
• Stretching the neck and back region
• Stretching the lateral regions
• Shoulder and back movement
• Crawling movement
• Face-down stretching
• Partial extension movement
• Semi-bending movement
• Back-to-ground contact movement
• Knee-to-chest movement
• Face-down stretching movement
• Side-turning movement while lying

Among other main movements that can be performed.