Herniated Disc:
Symptoms, Causes, and Current Treatment Methods
Back pain, which nearly every adult experiences at some point in their life, is not always just a simple muscle strain. Sometimes this pain is a sign of a herniated disc, which can seriously reduce quality of life and limit mobility. However, contrary to popular belief, not every herniated disc requires surgery, and with the right treatment methods, our patients can fully regain their health.
What is a Herniated Disc (Lumbar Disc Herniation)?
Our spine consists of vertebrae and the cartilage structures called “disks” that act as cushions between these vertebrae. These disks provide flexibility to the spine and act as shock absorbers that absorb impacts.
Herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of these discs tears, causing the gel-like fluid inside to leak out. When this protruding structure presses on the nerves in the spinal canal, our patients begin to feel severe pain. This mechanical pressure on the nerve roots can cause various complaints ranging from the hip to the heel, depending on the level of the herniation.
What Are the Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?
Although many patients come in complaining only of back pain, a herniated disc manifests itself with much more specific symptoms. The most common symptoms we encounter are:
Pain Radiating Down the Leg (Sciatica): The pain does not remain only in the lower back; it can start in the hip and radiate down the back of the leg to the heel. This is the most typical sign of nerve root compression.
Numbness and Tingling: Loss of sensation, burning, or tingling sensation in the legs or feet.
Muscle Weakness: In advanced cases of herniation, patients may have difficulty lifting their feet or walking on their toes (drop foot).
Limited Mobility: Stiffness in the lower back when bending, straightening, or sitting down and standing up.
Diagnosis and Diagnostic Methods
The right treatment starts with the right diagnosis. After conducting a detailed neurological examination of our patients, we use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which we consider the “gold standard,” to confirm the diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation. MRI allows us to clearly see the exact location of the herniation, its size, and the degree of pressure it exerts on the nerve.
Herniated Disc Treatment: When Should Surgery Be Performed?
The thing our patients worry about most is surgery. However, as a spine surgeon, I can say this with certainty: the vast majority of patients diagnosed with a herniated disc can recover without surgery.
1. Non-Surgical Treatments
In patients with pain complaints but no risk of nerve damage, conservative treatments are always the first choice:
Rest and medication.
Physical therapy applications.
Algology (Pain) treatments and injections.
2. Surgical Treatment (Microsurgery)
If the patient experiences weakness in their legs (risk of paralysis), if problems such as urinary incontinence have begun, or if the pain cannot be relieved despite all treatments, surgery becomes inevitable.
Today, with the microsurgery (microdiscectomy) method we use, herniated disc surgeries have become extremely comfortable. Performed under a microscope through a very small incision, this procedure involves removing only the herniated portion that is pressing on the nerve. Thanks to this method, our patients:
Experiences less tissue damage,
You can walk a few hours after surgery.
They can return to their daily lives and work very quickly.
Herniated disc is a health problem that cannot be postponed but can be resolved. If you have persistent pain or weakness in your leg, it is vital that you consult a specialist without delay to prevent permanent nerve damage.
