Most cases of back pain are in no way associated with the presence of osteochondrosis (age-related changes in the vertebrae) or intervertebral hernia in a person. Acute back pain usually goes away on its own within a few weeks, while chronic back pain requires lifestyle changes and dosed physical activity chosen by a specialist. According to studies, the incidence of back pain caused by herniated disc is is From 2% to 4%. Fortunately, its side symptoms are difficult to confuse with anything, and therefore it is almost impossible to overlook the presence of an intervertebral hernia.
“Hernias manifest with pain not only in the spine, but also in the arms or legs, depending on their location. The key is the appearance of pain only in the limbs, the feeling of “goosebumps”, “lumbago” along the entire length of the limb, numbness that is permanent in one part or the other. These signs indicate that with high probability the cause of concern is precisely in the hernia, neurosurgeon Andrey Vavryn told socialbites.ca.
However, not every hernia requires removal. As Vavryn explains, if an intervertebral hernia is found on MRI, it is “forgiven” for the first time, usually limited to conservative treatment or minimally invasive interventions: radiofrequency ablation or nerve blockade that blocks the transmission of pain signals by nerves using anesthetic injection.
“The exception is the sudden onset and development of the disease (within a few hours or days), muscle weakness in the limbs, impaired urination and defecation. In this case, surgery will almost certainly be necessary for urgent indications to prevent the development of irreversible consequences. Neurosurgeons are involved in surgical treatment because nervous tissue is involved in the process: the spinal cord and its roots,” Vavryn explained.
Patients who still have surgery often fear a difficult recovery. However, in most cases, the patient can go home on his own feet on the day of the operation.
“If we are talking about minimally invasive hernia surgeries, microsurgical discectomy, then they are on the air. In any case, doctors in Moscow have vast experience.
In most clinics, the patient is discharged on the day of surgery. You can move and start rehabilitation the next day.
After three to six months, you can return to full-fledged training in the gym, but everything is individual. Rehabilitation specialist Vyacheslav Ushakov told socialbites.ca that it depends on the person’s activity before the operation and the condition of his muscles and vertebrae after the operation, but any surgery requires rehabilitation measures. Therefore, I encourage patients to refer to professional rehabilitation specialists who specialize in recovery after such operations. It’s worth at least going on a first date and getting some advice.
Doctors agree that there is no need to be afraid of spinal surgery, and you should definitely see a surgeon if a neurologist recommends it.
“For example, I can’t remember situations where an operation would hurt or cripple a person. However, there are many situations in which the patient’s life improves. The operation can quickly relieve a person of pain and restore the ability to work. “Conservative treatment can take several weeks, which is unacceptable for people who support families or have other obligations.”
“Many people are afraid of ‘going under the knife’, some trying to strictly avoid surgery even when refusing surgery would have serious consequences, up to serious disability.
Absolutely any surgical intervention is associated with risks, but still, the probability of negative consequences when removing a herniated disc is minimal.
Generally, on the next day of the surgery, the patient is verticalized, allowed to walk with or without a walker, and on the fifth or sixth day, the patient feels satisfied with minimal pain in the operating area. aforementioned.
Another common mistake patients make is having high hopes for surgery. Do not view surgery as a guaranteed relief from back pain. Formerly socialbites.ca said About the causes of back pain and how to treat it. Usually this condition has several causes and is difficult to treat, but moderate physical activity remains the best method of pain relief. Therefore, do not rely on the operation.
“Surgery does not guarantee pain relief: According to various estimates, pain returns in 60-80% of cases. In addition, the presence of a hernia does not mean anything in itself: for someone, a large hernia does not manifest itself in any way, for someone a small hernia is so painful that the patient cannot sleep. This is because the spine is such a complex structure, there are so many individual factors. Such a difference in symptoms can be partially explained, for example, by differences in the degree of osteochondrosis, ”explained Ushakov.
Most of the time, hernias pass without the need for surgical intervention and resolve on their own. according to someone reviewsLooking at studies from 1990 to 2015, this happens about 67% of the time.
“The vast majority of my patients seeking help for a herniated disc have been successfully treated with conservative treatment or minimal intervention. There were several cases where the patient planned to undergo surgical treatment according to the quota due to obvious symptoms, but after two months of paperwork and a positive result with the implementation of the quota, there was nothing to operate on. Since her hernias were under control, they disappeared in the preoperative examination. “We had to let the patient go,” Vavryn said.
However, it is not worth waiting years for the hernia to heal because it can cause acute neurological disorders to become chronic. As Vavryn points out, delaying surgery is fraught with problems: the development of a sensitivity disorder in a particular area of the skin, and in more severe cases, even stool problems can occur.
“My colleagues and I have now been dealing with a patient with a herniated disc for about three years. During exacerbations, she even experienced disturbances in the functioning of the pelvic organs. The functions of the pelvic organs were restored, but the function of the foot was not restored, now the patient lives with a “slap” foot. Of course, we are working on its restoration, but in principle, we would not be faced with such a task with timely surgeries to remove the intervertebral hernia, ”said Ushakov.
It is possible to go to the doctor on time to avoid problems due to hernia. Neurologist Vavryn also advises not to self-medicate and panic after reading the result of the MRI study.
“If you have persistent back pain that continues for a few days at rest, pain when bending and turning, numbness, “lumbago” or weakness in the limbs, you should definitely consult a doctor. The sharp appearance of severe pain in the spine and limbs, the exacerbation of a previously treated condition, or the appearance of new symptoms that were not observed before – these are all “danger signs” for which you should go to the hospital. up Vavryn.
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.