The lifestyle of a modern person has become a significant cause of many diseases. According to statistics, more than 75% of the adult population of Ukraine suffer from spinal diseases, the most common of which are herniated discs, protrusions, and compression of nerve roots. Physical inactivity, sedentary work, and excessive stress on the spine are conditions for the occurrence of a herniated disc, a disease of the musculoskeletal system characterized by displacement of the inner part of the disc with a rupture of the fibrous ring. Spinal herniation most often occurs in the lumbosacral region, less often in the cervical and thoracic regions. The danger of the disease is that the displaced disc puts pressure on nearby nerve structures, causing their irritation or complete loss of function. Depending on the location of the herniated disc, these can be nerve roots, the spinal cord or its membranes. In case of untimely treatment of a spinal hernia, it can progress, leading to undesirable consequences.
In the normal state, the intervertebral disc is a flattened pad between the vertebrae, which plays the role of a shock absorber during movement, reduces the load and adds strength and flexibility to the spine. Under the influence of certain factors, the disc tissue begins to thin, the ligaments weaken, and its inner part begins to move behind the vertebra and deform. Such provoking factors include:
- Previous diseases, injuries, and spinal surgeries;
- congenital or acquired weakness of the muscular system
- heavy physical activity;
- curvature of the spine;
- age over 50 years;
- overweight;
- sedentary lifestyle, physical inactivity;
- bad habits;
- hereditary predisposition.
The clinical picture of a herniated disc may differ depending on its localization in the spine. Common symptoms for herniated discs are shooting or aching pain in the back, muscle tension, restriction of spinal mobility, decreased sensitivity in the affected area, paresthesia, numbness.
These symptoms may be accompanied by neurological disorders such as headache, dizziness, weakness, fibromyalgia, etc. Sometimes there are functional disorders of the reproductive system, impaired sensitivity in the limbs.
If you find yourself experiencing similar symptoms, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible, as the complications of an incurable spinal hernia can be very unfavorable. The main danger is paralysis of the patient. Other complications include pelvic organ dysfunction, weakness in the legs, and loss of sensation in some parts of the body.
Only a specialist can diagnose a herniated disc after a comprehensive examination. At a preliminary consultation, the doctor takes anamnesis and conducts a full examination. Next, general clinical tests and instrumental examination methods, such as CT, MRI or radiography, are prescribed. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe additional tests.
Treatment of intervertebral hernia in Kyiv is carried out by a team of highly qualified specialists in the Dobrobut medical clinics network. Treatment tactics include the use of various techniques and depend on the stage of the disease. If the patient visits at an early stage of the disease, the course of treatment almost completely guarantees a cure for this disease. For this purpose, drug therapy, physical therapy, physiotherapy procedures, therapeutic massage, etc. are prescribed. In severe cases, surgical intervention is used.
There are 2 main methods of surgical correction: traditional (open anterior approach) and endoscopic removal of a spinal hernia (endoscopic microdiscectomy). Today, endoscopic surgery is more popular in Ukraine because it is minimally invasive, provides a good aesthetic result and quick recovery. It is performed under local or general anesthesia. At the preparatory stage, the surgeon accurately determines the location of the herniated disc and makes a 7-8 mm incision in the skin. The specialist inserts an endoscopic cannula into it. When the endoscope penetrates, the tissues are not dissected, but are pushed apart with the help of special manipulators, which allows them to remain practically intact. A minicamera built into the endoscope provides good visual control over the operation. The surgeon removes the herniated bulge, as well as damaged fragments of the intervertebral disc, while releasing the compressed spinal cord roots. At the end of the operation, a suture is applied in the incision area. The total duration of the surgery takes about 1.5 hours.
Within a couple of hours after the operation, the patient can walk. The entire rehabilitation period lasts up to a month. During this time, the patient will be advised to avoid heavy physical activity.
In certain cases, a patient with an intervertebral hernia is indicated for endoprosthetics - an operation that involves the installation of a prosthesis instead of an intervertebral disc. This intervention is indicated when disc damage leads to irreversible spinal dysfunction, and endoscopic microdiscectomy cannot guarantee a stable effect.
In order to decide on the treatment of intervertebral hernia, make an appointment for a consultation at the Dobrobut medical clinics in Kyiv. We use only the latest diagnostic and medical equipment, provide an individual approach to each patient, have a high-quality European-level service, and all this at affordable prices.
You can get more detailed information about the operation: conditions, cost, timing, etc., or make an appointment with a doctor by calling our call center.
- Daniel K. Park - Herniated Disk in the Lower Back - OrthoInfo - AAOS. Published online, June, 2018.
- Herniated disk - Symptoms and causes. Published online, September 26, 2019.
- Clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. Published online, 2012
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