Herniated disc: causes, symptoms, and treatment methods

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc is the compression of nerve roots caused by the tearing of round cushions called discs between the vertebrae due to strain and wear. Herniated discs are considered one of the primary causes of neck, arm, back, or leg pain. This condition can affect nearby nerves where the herniated disc is located, leading to pain, numbness, loss of sensation, and weakness in the limbs.

Herniated discs, which can occur in any part of the spine, are usually seen in the lower back or neck region. However, it is rare for a herniated disc to occur in the middle region of the back.

This condition is most commonly seen in individuals between the ages of 30 and 50, and it is known to affect men more than women.

Symptoms of a herniated disc include pain in the lower back, legs, and hips; numbness in the calves, legs, or feet; weakness in the leg muscles; a decrease in knee and ankle reflexes; and restricted mobility. Pain intensifies with actions that put pressure on the disc, such as lifting heavy objects or sudden movements of the lower back, and may increase with coughing or sneezing.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

In a herniated disc, pain can spread from the lumbar spine to the hips, thighs, and even the calf region. The pain caused by a herniated disc intensifies during movement while easing during rest. Because it puts pressure on compressed nerves, body positions such as coughing, sneezing, and sitting lead to worsening pain. A tingling or numbness sensation may be felt in the limbs, and muscle weakness occurs in the affected area of the back. These symptoms are among the common signs of a herniated disc.

Symptoms of a herniated disc include:

Lower back, neck, and shoulder blade pain

Pain in the hips or legs if there is pressure on the sciatic nerve

A feeling of numbness or tingling in a specific area of the body

Pain in the back of the calf or the sole of the foot

Difficulty with back movements such as bending or standing up straight

Muscle weakness

Pain that can intensify while coughing, after standing or sitting, and at night

Debilitating pain during walking

Spasms in the back muscles

Changes in bladder or bowel function

Pain caused by a herniated disc can vary from person to person. Medical help should be sought without delay, especially if sciatic pain radiating to the leg increases to the point of hindering daily life activities, or in cases accompanied by findings such as urinary incontinence, inability to urinate, or progressive loss of sensation and muscle weakness in the inner thigh, the back of the legs, and the area around the anus.

How is a herniated disc treated?

When a herniated disc is diagnosed, relief can often be achieved through bed rest, medical treatments such as painkillers, and sometimes physical therapy at physical therapy and rehabilitation centers. In the vast majority of patients, complaints subside with these methods.

If there are complaints such as pain that does not go away despite these treatments, impairs quality of life, causes loss of work capacity, or involves loss of strength or urinary incontinence, surgical treatment becomes inevitable. Regardless of the method used, the goal of surgical treatment is to relieve the compressed nerve root.

Today, the most widely used and most beneficial method worldwide is surgery performed using microsurgical techniques. Other methods include shrinking the hernia with a laser or removing the hernia using an endoscopic method.

Source: Memorial Group

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