Can I take calcium tablets for lumbar disc herniation?

Written by Wang Fei

Orthopedics

Updated on February 22, 2025

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Lumbar disc herniation is a very common clinical disease, often affecting the lower back and causing discomfort. It frequently presents with numbness, swelling, pain, and even muscle atrophy in one leg. In the elderly, lumbar disc herniation may be associated with osteoporosis, as bone changes following osteoporosis can lead to poor vertebral stability, ultimately causing disc herniation. Elderly patients with both lumbar disc herniation and osteoporosis should take calcium supplements. However, for young and middle-aged adults who do not have accompanying osteoporosis, taking calcium supplements is not particularly beneficial.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 35sec

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How to treat a lumbar disc herniation?

Clinically, the treatment of lumbar disc herniation usually involves the following three aspects. The first is conservative treatment, which is mainly for those patients whose lumbar disc herniation is not very severe and does not cause substantial compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord. The first step includes general treatment, that is, after developing a lumbar disc herniation, one needs to lie flat in bed, rest on a hard bed, and then rest. The second is treatment with Chinese herbal medicine, the third with Western medicine, and the fourth is traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation treatment, which includes traction, massage, acupuncture, and others. There is also physical therapy, which includes treatments like shockwave thermotherapy and microwave therapy. Often, some patients experience symptom relief after conservative treatment. There are also some patients whose symptoms do not improve during treatment, and even worsen, at which point surgical treatment is needed. Surgical treatment has its strict indications. However, once within the range of these indications, surgical treatment should be considered. Surgical treatment now is divided into minimally invasive therapy and conventional surgical treatment. The third is other treatments, which are also numerous, including ozone therapy, sacral canal treatment, intradiscal injections, and so on. Therefore, the treatment of lumbar disc herniation mainly depends on the degree of protrusion and clinical symptoms, which are analyzed comprehensively to select a suitable treatment method.

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Written by Guan Jing Tao

Orthopedics

47sec

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Can people with lumbar disc herniation have sexual intercourse?

Appropriate and occasional sexual activity is permissible. During the acute phase of lumbar disc herniation, it is strictly prohibited to engage in excessive physical activities, including sexual activity, as it may trigger or exacerbate symptoms such as increased herniation, nerve compression, and resultant numbness or painful sensations in the lower limbs. However, during the chronic phase of disc herniation, after systematic treatment and significant symptom improvement, sexual activity can be resumed appropriately and occasionally, such as once every two to three weeks, or adjusted according to different age groups to a normal frequency. Additionally, it is important to avoid excessive bending and heavy lifting to prevent worsening the pain and discomfort associated with lumbar disc herniation.

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Written by Lv Yao

Orthopedics

39sec

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What is lumbar disc herniation?

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 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.

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Written by Guan Jing Tao

Orthopedics

41sec

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Can lumbar disc herniation sleep on a latex mattress?

Generally speaking, for lumbar disc herniation, it is recommended to use a firm bed and avoid exposure to cold conditions, which helps alleviate symptoms and prevents further aggravation. Latex mattresses, as advertised and if of good quality, can also be used. Firstly, a quality latex mattress can conform well to the natural physiological curvature of the entire spine. This means that the latex mattress can accommodate the normal curvature of the waist without exacerbating issues, unlike overly soft mattresses which can lead to increased back pain and other symptoms. However, it is still necessary to use qualified products and assess them carefully.