Course of a herniated disc
introduction
Our Spine is daily time of our life exposed to great stress. Especially in everyday life that is characterized by sedentary activities and little physical exercise, this leads to diseases in the spinal column for many people, such as the disc prolapse (Prolapse).
Read a lot more information on this topic on our main page: disc prolapse
Our spine consists of 24 free vertebrae (the remaining 8 to 10 are immobile Sacrum and coccyx merged), as well as 23 Band washers. The latter in turn consist of a gelatinous, highly water-containing core, which is of a Fiber ring is kept in shape. In interaction with the bony vertebrae, a high degree of mobility is achieved.
In the case of a herniated disc, the fiber ring tears so that parts of the gelatinous nucleus enter the Spinal canal reach and irritate the nerve roots or pressure on various Nerve structures, such as the Spinal nerves or that Spinal cordto exercise.
Even if this is not noticed by the patient in many cases and therefore has no consequences for them, a herniated disc can still cause various complaints, first and foremost Pain. There are two basic therapy options available to treat these:
- conservative therapy
- and
- the operation
Depending on the extent of the prolapse and the choice of therapy method, the disease can take different courses in the next few months to years.
Development of the symptoms and consequences of a herniated disc
Although Herniated discs can cause severe discomfort, more than half of all herniated discs remain without consequences for the person concerned and are only found incidentally, if at all.
However, the disease becomes noticeable when the gelatinous core of the intervertebral disc begins, Pressure on nerve fibers exercise. Depending on the nerve affected, this is expressed in pain in different parts of the body.
In many patients these are initially pure Back pain. The pain usually appears very suddenly, but it can also develop gradually. After this acute phase of intervertebral disc prolapse, the symptoms can worsen without adequate treatment. Young patients then often switch between symptom-free intervals and painful phases.
Older patients, on the other hand, are more prone to one Chronification of the complaintsso that they are permanently in pain, which can lead to further consequences.
In addition to the pure back pain, these can later radiate to other parts of the body if the herniated disc presses off the corresponding nerve fibers. These body regions are very specific to the height at which the herniated disc occurs.
At the height of the Lumbar spine complaints occur in the Legs, at the level of the Cervical spine however, especially in the Poor on. With these ailments are in the first place Sensory disturbances (tingling sensation on the skin) and numbness from the herniated disc, but also Signs of paralysis meant. This usually also has further consequences.
Appointment with a specialist for a herniated disc?
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My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
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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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60311 Frankfurt am Main
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Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert
Cervical / lumbar spine
In many ways, herniated discs in the cervical spine (Cervical spine) and lumbar spine (LWS) area are very similar. In both cases, the first symptoms often appear very suddenly in the form of pain. If they remain untreated, they can worsen in the further course and further symptoms such as abnormal sensations (tingling, "pins and needles") in the area of the respective extremities can also occur.
Slipped discs in the area of the cervical spine are comparatively rare overall. In contrast to them, the lumbar spine prolapse represents about 90% of all herniated discs. Severe forms of the disease rarely occur in both spinal segments.
Course after conservative treatment
When choosing the Therapy of a herniated disc The extent of the herniated disc, in particular the extent of the discomfort it causes, plays a role.
Between 80 to 90% of all herniated discs however, can be purely through a conservative, i.e. non-operative therapy to treat.
First of all, a sufficiently high one is set here Pain therapy important. It should be noted that bed rest is usually not recommended as long as the patient's mobility is not too restricted. Bring in the further course physiotherapy and Back training good results. With the help of this treatment strategy, most herniated discs resolve on their own.
How much time must ultimately pass for this is very individual, but above all on the extent of the prolapse and the Discipline and initiative of the patient dependent. However, it is usually stated that the acute phase of a herniated disc using the appropriate therapy after about four to six weeks is over.
However, pain in the back, arms or legs can persist for longer. In some cases it may go away until you are completely free of symptoms up to two years.
Course after an operation for a herniated disc
Even if the number of Operations for a herniated disc has risen rapidly in recent years and the success rate in the long term around 80% is, a surgical procedure for herniated discs should nevertheless be viewed critically and in advance well thought out become.
Since the rate of complications is high, just ask severe neurological symptoms of a herniated disc an indication for surgery. These include, among other things Bladder and rectal paralysis with urinary and fecal incontinence, as well as muscle failure and symptoms of paralysis.
Surgery should also be considered if in the course of conservative attempts at therapy insufficient success has been achieved, so that unbearable pain is still present.
The development of the complaints after a Operation of a herniated disc are difficult to assess and are heavily dependent on the experience of the treating surgeon. The list of possible complications after intervertebral disc surgery is the one that occurs frequently Scarringwhich for Entrapment of nerve roots or other structures.
Also severe infections or a incomplete closure of the spinal cord membranes with subsequently occurring severe headache are possible complications.
In addition, it often happens herniated discs again despite successful surgery.
forecast
The prognosis of a herniated disc is in most cases quite favorable, and the pain often improves noticeably after a few weeks with efficient treatment.
Overall, severe forms are rare. Nevertheless, the treatment is tedious.
On average, conservative therapy takes between 3 to 6 months. In the case of conservative as well as surgical treatment, follow-up treatments in the form of physiotherapy, training of the core muscles and back training are advisable in order to prevent recurrent disc herniations.
The recurrence of an intervertebral disc prolapse (both on the same and on a different intervertebral disc) cannot be completely ruled out, despite ideal therapy conditions.
A herniated disc that has already occurred should therefore be understood as a warning and taken as an opportunity to continue doing back exercises on your own initiative and to pay attention to your own posture.
Please also read our topic: Exercises after a herniated disc
