What is lumbar disc herniation?

Written by Lv Yao

Orthopedics

Updated on September 28, 2024

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Lumbar disc herniation is a condition caused by the rupture of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc, protrusion of the central nucleus pulposus, which compresses the nerve roots or the spinal cord, resulting in a series of symptoms. For example, it can cause pain in the lower limbs and instability in the lumbar spine, leading to pain in the waist, as well as pain in the waist when walking or standing, and even sensations of numbness and tingling in the lower limbs. In severe cases, it can cause symptoms affecting urination and defecation.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua

Orthopedic Surgery

1min 29sec

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How many days to administer fluids after minimally invasive surgery for lumbar disc herniation?

With the development of medical technology, currently for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, such as when conservative treatment is ineffective—including lying on a hard bed, pre-heating the waist, taking blood-activating and pain-relieving medication, or drugs that nourish the nerves—some interventional surgeries are chosen if these do not provide relief. The main ones commonly used include ozone ablation, collagenase nucleolysis, percutaneous disc removal, and foraminoscopic technology, etc., all of which carry very low risk. The most commonly used is ozone ablation, which involves instant oxidation of the degenerated protruded nucleus pulposus. This destroys the proteoglycans, thereby making the proteoglycans lose their function. The cells produce proteoglycans, reducing the osmotic pressure of the nucleus tissue, which cannot maintain normal moisture, leading to shrinkage and loss of tissue. This increases the space, thereby reducing the symptoms of nerve compression caused by disc herniation. Usually, antibiotics are used post-surgery to prevent infection, generally for about three days. After the medication is completed, considering discharge and returning home for recovery is possible, followed by oral medication. (Please use medications under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

55sec

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Symptoms of lumbar disc herniation

The symptoms of a herniated lumbar disc are 1. back pain 2. leg pain 3. both back and leg pain. The essence of a herniated lumbar disc is that, after the disc protrudes, it compresses the surrounding nerve roots or the spine, leading to a series of clinical symptoms. Depending on the area of compression, different symptoms may occur; some people experience back pain, others leg pain, and in more severe cases, both back and leg pain. Therefore, pain is the primary symptom of a herniated lumbar disc. However, following the pain, there often occurs a restriction of movement. If a certain posture is not correct, it triggers pain. In severe cases, it may cause numbness or weakness in both legs, or result in urinary or bowel dysfunction.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 24sec

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How to exercise with lumbar disc herniation

For patients with lumbar disc herniation, self-exercise is a very important and effective treatment method. First, it is important to maintain the correct sitting posture, sit up straight without leaning sideways, and avoid sitting for extended periods. It is also necessary to keep the waist warm to prevent catching cold. Second, it is necessary to strengthen the exercise of the back muscles, especially the erector spinae and multifidus, with exercises such as single-leg bridges, double-leg bridges, and the "little swallow" exercise. Third, maintain the correct posture in daily life, such as when lifting or holding objects, to avoid increasing tension in the waist and causing unnecessary damage. Fourth, regarding rest, it is crucial to lie on a firm bed and possibly add a thin pad under the waist to keep the hips and knees in a certain alignment, ensuring the waist muscles can fully relax. Fifth, always wear a waist belt during exercise. The waist belt is one of the most important orthopedic supports, serving to immobilize and protect the waist, limiting movement during activity to solidify the effects of earlier treatments. Therefore, patients with lumbar disc herniation must develop a complete and reasonable treatment plan at a regular medical institution and normal physiotherapy institution.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 32sec

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Is a herniated lumbar disc serious?

Lumbar disc herniation is primarily due to degeneration of the lumbar disc or secondary pathological changes caused by this degeneration, which then stimulate blood vessels, nerve roots, and the spinal cord, leading to a series of clinical symptoms. Lumbar disc herniation is categorized into four types. The mildest type is the bulging type, followed by the protruding type, the more severe extrusion type, and finally the most severe, the sequestration type. Generally, lumbar disc bulging is relatively mild and conservative treatment is usually effective. Depending on the site and degree of compression, lumbar disc herniation may be treated conservatively, but some cases require surgical intervention. Most cases of disc extrusion require surgery because the extrusion leads to spinal stenosis, compressing all or part of the blood vessels, and it can also compress the spine and nerve roots, causing irreversible damage, and medications or massages can't reverse the condition. The fourth point concerns lumbar disc prolapse, meaning the nucleus pulposus falls into the spinal canal through the tear. This is one of the few emergencies seen in spinal surgery. If this occurs, immediate surgical treatment is necessary. Therefore, the severity of lumbar disc herniation mainly depends on the type and degree of the herniation, as well as the location and direction of the herniation, and which treatment method needs to be used.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 53sec

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What are the methods for diagnosing lumbar disc herniation?

The diagnostic methods for lumbar disc herniation are essentially three-dimensional; that is, clinical symptoms plus physical examination combined with auxiliary examinations. First, let's talk about clinical manifestations, which include pain, functional impairment, and local sensory abnormalities in cases of lumbar disc herniation. Second, in the physical examination of lumbar disc herniation, the intervertebral disc often shows some deformation, and the most common is a reduction or disappearance of the lumbar spine's forward physiological curvature, referred to colloquially as "flatback," where the back appears flat like a board. Other findings may include spinal scoliosis and specific tender points, usually located next to the protruding vertebrae. Percussing these tender points may induce radiating pain to the buttocks or lower limbs. Additional examinations might reveal abnormalities in the strength or sensation of lower limb muscles at different stages, as various muscles and sensory areas are affected differently. Special tests such as the straight leg raise test, femoral nerve stretch test, and neck flexion test are generally positive. The most routine auxiliary examination involves taking x-ray images, followed by CT scans, which can directly visualize the location and extent of the disc herniation. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also used, which has significant advantages. MRI provides three-dimensional images, showing the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes, which helps in better assessing the condition of herniated discs. Therefore, these are the areas covered in diagnosing lumbar disc herniation.