We usually talk about a hernia when an organ comes out of the cavity or the position in which it usually is. This usually happens in the intestine (abdominal hernia) but also in the neck and back. For these two parts of the body, it is a herniated disc.
What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc occurs when the intervertebral disc (cartilage located between two consecutive vertebrae) comes out of its cavity. This problem can be very painful for the affected person and may require surgery to calm the pain. This usually occurs in the neck and we speak of a herniated cervical disc, or in the lower back and we speak of a lumbar disc herniation.
Lumbar disc herniation
Lumbar disc herniation or ruptured lumbar disc affects the lumbar region, which is the last vertebrae in the human spine. It causes severe back pain (low back pain),but can also cause sciatica pain. The pain can go away after a few weeks with simple medical treatment.
Cervical disc herniation
A herniated cervical disc affects the cervical vertebrae, which are the first of the spine. This pathology is often combined with cervicobrachial neuralgia. The pain caused by these two diseases appears in the neck and back of the neck and extends to the arm.
Symptoms of herniated discs
The symptoms of a herniated disc are not the same for everyone who has it. This is because if two people have a hernia in the same place, one of them may experience severe pain while the other does not feel anything. In addition, they can also differ depending on the affected area; The symptoms of a herniated cervical disc are not the same as those of a herniated lumbar disc.
However, some symptoms can be common, such as pain that gets worse after sneezing or coughing, or after spending too much time sitting. A herniated lumbar disc is characterized by lower back pain that extends along one leg or down the sciatic nerve. For the rupture of the cervical disc, it is illustrated with the inability to move the neck, pain that extends from the neck to the arm, or numbness and tingling in the arm.
Causes and diagnosis of the intervertebral cartilage rupture
Contrary to what many people may say and think, stress and anxiety can never be the cause of a herniated disc. The causes of this disease are many and some of them come together; among them :
- Drying of the disc or intervertebral cartilage.
- Wear of the intervertebral cartilage.
- Morphology and family history.
The doctor can usually diagnose a herniated disc simply from the symptoms and a few clinical examinations based on movement. If he is facing a more serious case where the pain does not go away even after 6 weeks, the doctor will use imaging tests to make the diagnosis, such as an MRI, a CT scan or an x-ray.
Treatment of herniated discs in Istanbul
The treatment of herniated discs in Istanbul depends mainly on the severity of the latter and the cases. This is because a ruptured disc, whether lumbar or cervical, can heal naturally after a few weeks, just as it may require surgery.
For the first few days after the pain starts, you can put ice to soothe the pain, but this will not decrease the inflammation because the inflammation is too deep. For the herniated disc of the lower back, certain positions are recommended to calm the pain:
- Lie on your side with a pillow under your head and another between your knees which are bent.
- Lying on your back with no pillows under the head, but one or more under the knees and a cushion under the back.
In order to calm the pain and keep it under control for a short time that does not exceed 3 weeks, your doctor will prescribe pain relievers, anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants. If the pain is severe and persists despite this treatment, your doctor will prescribe pain relievers such as narcotics or higher doses of anti-inflammatory drugs.
An injection treatment can be used especially for persistent pain. Your doctor may give you injections of corticosteroids or pain relievers. Injections of enzymes directly into the disc may also be prescribed.
The doctor resorts to surgery on the vertebrae when the pain persists and causes a real handicap to the person. Surgical treatment and especially used when a limb such as the arm or leg is affected by muscle weakness that does not go away over time. The goal of surgery is to relieve the pressure that the intervertebral cartilage puts on the nerves and the nerve root.
This treatment consists in carrying out a total or partial ablation of the disc. Two techniques are used for this ablation:
Reviews & Prices of Herniated Disc Treatment in Turkey
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