Orthopedics-Online

Herniated disc - what to do?

General

At a disc prolapse the core of the vertebra pushes itself through the fibrous ring and can annoywhich run near the vertebra. This can lead to the so-called Nerve root compression to lead. The most common are Herniated discs, which occur in the lumbar spine (lumbar spine) occur. Typical symptoms that can indicate the presence of a herniated disc are Pain both in the area of the back and radiating towards the legs, feet or arms and hands. Sensory disturbances, a tingling sensation or symptoms of paralysis are also typical symptoms of a herniated disc.

What to do?

If there is a suspicion of a herniated disc, a doctor should be consulted who can confirm or refute the suspicion if necessary. After a diagnosis has been made, suitable therapy can be started. The assessment of the severity is also important for the further procedure and can be done by a doctor.

In general, a few things should be considered in the event of an acute herniated disc. It is important to precisely analyze the symptoms that occur. If you have symptoms such as paralysis or sudden problems urinating or defecating, along with significant pain in your back and legs, go to an emergency room. In this case, there is a risk of considerable impairment of the nerves running on the back.

When diagnosing a herniated disc, the recommendations of the doctor and the treating physiotherapist should be observed. They can assess the individual severity and the associated consequences.

With most herniated discs, slight movements and exercises can and should be started again after initial relief of the affected structures. Performing the exercises can help speed up the healing of the incident. It also improves the prognosis. The treating physiotherapist can assess and show which exercises are suitable.

There are several ways to treat the symptoms of a herniated disc. Conservatively, taking pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs and performing special exercises are in the foreground, whereby it is sometimes necessary to perform an operation on the herniated disc in order to achieve the best possible therapeutic success.
In summary, one can say that there is no standard procedure for a herniated disc, but that what is best to be done must be agreed in each individual case.

Read more about the topic here: When should a herniated disc be operated on?

Appointment with a specialist for a herniated disc?

I would be happy to advise you!

Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
But now enough is indicated ;-)

A herniated disc is difficult to treat. On the one hand it is exposed to high mechanical loads, on the other hand it has great mobility.

Therefore, treating a herniated disc requires a lot of experience.
The aim of any treatment is treatment without surgery.

Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

You can find me in:

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Kaiserstrasse 14
60311 Frankfurt am Main

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Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert

What to do about pain

Many people cite pain as one of the more common symptoms of a herniated disc. Treatment of pain can be done in different ways. As a rule, a herniated disc is initially treated conservatively.

Read more about the Disc herniation pain.

In addition to performing certain physical therapy exercises, taking medication can help treat the pain. Medicines are used here, which have both pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. The group of NSAIDs is used in particular. In addition, drugs from the group of opiates and muscle relaxants are used.

More detailed information can be found at: Medication for a herniated disc

A slow build-up of the back muscles can also help to minimize the pain during the healing process.

During the healing process as well as immediately after an acute herniated disc, pain typically increases in certain positions. This can be explained by the different loads on the individual vertebrae. The load on the spine when sitting is many times higher than when standing or lying down. Hitting the back, such as jogging or hopping, also puts a lot of strain on the intervertebral discs. In order to minimize the pain that occurs in the event of a herniated disc, it is advisable to avoid situations that are stressful for the spine.

What can you do without surgery?

A disc prolapse can be treated in different ways. The majority of incidents can without surgery be successfully treated. The consistent implementation of conservative therapy is essential for the optimal healing of the disease. The recommendations of the treating physicians and physiotherapists should therefore be taken very seriously so that complications can be prevented and healing can occur quickly.

Taking certain medications can as well as consistent physical therapy and rehabilitation help to optimize the healing process. In particular, pain reliever and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in conservative therapy for herniated discs. These relieve the pain that is usually associated with the herniated disc and thus enable the correct implementation of a Physiotherapy for a herniated disc. Physiotherapy exercises, Back school as well as light muscle building in the back can also help to support the conservative healing of the herniated disc. It is especially important that light exercises take place shortly after the incident and that the spine is moved, as it has been found that the movement promotes healing of the incident.

Treatment of the herniated disc by syringe / injection

A conservative treatment of the herniated disc with syringes is used as part of the injection treatment.

In this form of therapy, anti-inflammatory and pain reliever drugs are injected directly onto the affected nerve root. These injections usually take place under CT or MRI control, so that the syringe can be placed on the nerve root without damaging the tissue. A local anesthetic is usually injected to relieve pain and a cortisone preparation to reduce inflammation. In technical terms, this treatment is called periradicular therapy, or PRT for short.

What to do after an operation

Not all Herniated discs can use conservative therapy methods be successfully treated. So it is sometimes necessary surgical intervention (operation of a herniated disc) at the Spine perform. After surgery Certain instructions should be observed in order to avoid complications and to achieve an ideal course of treatment. The attending physician will contact the surgery indicate which movements are allowed and which should be avoided. Usually ask Movements after the operation of the intervertebral disc are not a problem represent.
However, stressful movements such as jumping or twisting the spine should be avoided. In most cases, one closes Rehabilitation after a herniated disc or a follow-up treatment in a special clinic after the operation. Care by doctors and physiotherapists is guaranteed there. Special questions often depend on the individually performed operation as well as the healing progress and can therefore best be answered by the treating therapist on site.

You can also read more on this topic at: Operation of a herniated disc

What should I do if it is acute?

An acute one disc prolapse usually goes through sudden onset of pain noticeable. Especially when pain radiates into the legs or arms or sensitivity disorders occur, it can be assumed that an acutely occurred disc prolapse is the cause of the discomfort. Should there be any suspicion that a disc prolapse a doctor should be consulted who can confirm the diagnosis. It is also possible to have a Go to the emergency room. This is especially advisable when sudden acute onset of paralysis or a reduction in strength, as well Urination disorders occur. In the case of very severe pain that should also start acute medical help as soon as possible to be visited.

What to do if there is a herniated disc in the lumbar spine?

Over 90% of all Herniated discs occur in the field of Lumbar spine on. This is due to the greater burden of the Spine in this area. Depending on how severe the incident is and where the Lumbar spine If this occurs, the nature and severity of the symptoms can vary. An acute one Herniated disc of the lumbar spine should be examined by a doctor. This can assess the further course and a Therapy recommendation pronounce.

Figure herniated disc

Figure slipped disc (A), (B) and healthy disc (C)

Disc prolapse -
Nucleus pulposus prolapse

A - herniated disc from the left
B - herniated disc from above
C - Healthy disc
a - neck and chest area
b - lumbar region

Fiber ring - Annulus fibrosus
Gelatinous core - Nucleus pulposus
1st + 2nd intervertebral disc
(Intervertebral disc) -
Discus inter vertebralis
Spinal nerve - N. spinalis
Spinal cord - Medula spinalis
Vertebral bodies - Corpus vertebrae
Spinous process - Spinous process

You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations

What to do if there is a herniated disc in the cervical spine?

Herniated discs of the Cervical spine are compared to incidents that occurred on the Lumbar spine occur very rarely. Nevertheless, these can arise, especially in combination with other illnesses and during physically demanding work. As a general rule, Herniated discs of the Cervical spine should also be examined by a doctor. Which Therapy options The doctor can best assess the individual cases. Often conservative methods can be sufficient to treat the incident, whereas in other cases one surgery must be carried out.

Summary

In summary is a disc prolapse a disease that is often caused by special complaints makes noticeable and should be treated.
In most cases, the therapy is very successful and only rarely requires surgical intervention, since the available medication in particular can bring the pain to a tolerable level. If there is any suspicion that a disc prolapse For this reason, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible so that he can diagnose the disease and recommend individual therapy.
In addition to taking certain ones, they are particularly helpful Drugs for the herniated disc a consistently carried out Physiotherapy and the back school. It should also be noted that immobilization of the spine is not optimal for the healing process, but special exercises that can be recommended by a physiotherapist Accelerate healing of the disease can.
If a Operation of the herniated disc Should be necessary exercises can be recommended in the rehabilitation clinic by one individually Physiotherapists or help a doctor to ensure the optimal success of the treatment. Overall, it's one disc prolapse around a well treatable disease, which in the healing process of the treatment, however, the Requires initiative of the person concerned.