The condition can cause many dangerous health complications and affect the patient's quality of life if not detected and treated in time. According to statistics, herniated disc accounts for about 10% of all spinal conditions, and is most common between the ages of 22 and 55.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of a herniated disc include:
Sciatica: This is the most typical symptom of the condition, causing a sharp pain that radiates from the hip down the thigh and all the way to the toes, following the path of the sciatic nerve.
Arm or leg pain: If the condition occurs in the cervical or lumbar spine, the patient will feel pain in the arm or leg, depending on the affected location. The pain can worsen with coughing, sneezing, or spinal movement.
Numbness, tingling, prickling, or electric-shock sensations: These are abnormal sensations in various parts of the body caused by compressed nerves.
Muscle atrophy and weakness: If the condition persists, the muscles served by the affected nerves will weaken and shrink.
Dr. Tran Da Vuong, Deputy Head of the Department of General Surgery at HIU Hospital, recommends that anyone experiencing any of the above symptoms should see a doctor for accurate examination and diagnosis. The doctor will rely on medical history, clinical examination, and imaging tests such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or myelogram to determine the severity and location of the condition.
Causes
The causes of herniated disc may include:
Age: As the body ages, the discs lose elasticity, becoming more prone to damage and herniation.
Spinal injury: Injuries from accidents, falls, impacts, or overexertion can tear the fibrous ring and cause the disc's nucleus to herniate.
Lifestyle habits: Bad habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, obesity, sitting in one position for long periods, carrying heavy loads, or exercising improperly can also increase the risk of the condition.
Preventing Herniated Disc
To prevent herniated disc, you should:
Maintain a healthy body weight and avoid obesity.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
Avoid standing in one position for too long; change positions frequently and gently move the spine.
Carry objects properly, avoiding bending too deeply or twisting the body too much.
Exercise regularly, choosing exercises suitable for the spine and avoiding those that put pressure on the discs.
Have regular health check-ups, especially when experiencing unusual spinal symptoms.
Treating Herniated Disc
Dr. Tran Da Vuong states that the treatment plan for a herniated disc is developed based on factors such as the severity and location of the herniation, as well as the patient's overall health condition.
There are two main treatment approaches for herniated disc: conservative treatment and surgical treatment.
Conservative treatment is preferred when the herniated disc is at a mild or moderate stage. This approach includes:
Medication: Doctors may prescribe pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, etc., to reduce pain, numbness, and muscle spasms.
Physical therapy: Patients are guided through physical therapy exercises to reduce pain, improve spinal function, and restore health.
Epidural corticosteroid injections: This is a new method being applied at several major hospitals, including HIU Hospital. This method helps reduce inflammation and symptoms by injecting corticosteroids into the area around the spinal nerves.
Regarding surgical treatment, according to Dr. Tran Da Vuong, surgery is the last resort for patients with herniated disc when conservative treatment is ineffective after 6 weeks, or when the patient develops complications such as paralysis, muscle weakness, difficulty moving, or loss of bladder or bowel control. Depending on each patient's condition, the doctor may recommend an appropriate surgical method. Before surgery, patients will be required to undergo examinations and imaging diagnostics such as CT and MRI.
There are currently two forms of herniated disc surgery:
Open surgery or surgery through a tubular retractor, followed by removal of the herniated nucleus to relieve nerve compression for the patient. This process can be performed with the support of modern microscopes, helping to accurately identify the areas to be accessed and treated, improving surgical outcomes and reducing risks and post-operative complications.
Endoscopic spine surgery is a new technique in herniated disc surgery. Guided by endoscopic equipment, the surgeon only needs to make small incisions of 2-3cm, access the damaged disc, monitor the area through images transmitted from the camera at the tip of the endoscope, and easily remove the herniated nucleus.
Each surgical method has its own advantages and disadvantages. The treating physician will base the treatment plan and indications on the nature and severity of each patient's condition. To achieve the best treatment outcomes, patients with herniated disc should proactively seek examination early with orthopedic trauma specialists.
The Department of General Surgery at HIU Hospital, with a team of experienced experts and doctors, an operating room system equipped with modern machinery, and continuously updated advanced treatment protocols, personalizes treatment plans for each specific case. At the same time, it closely coordinates with the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation to effectively and sustainably treat herniated disc and many other musculoskeletal conditions, helping patients quickly return to their normal lives and activities.