LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION

Lumbar disc herniation – Herniated intervertebral disc is a disorder that occurs as a result of herniation of the intervertebral discs located between the vertebrae in the lower back. It manifests with low back pain and it is important to treat it to avoid further complications.

Intervertebral discs are placed between every two vertebrae of the spine, ensuring its flexibility, allowing a wide range of movements and cushioning the strain in daily life. This is due to their specific structure, the interaction of which leads to their characteristic degenerative formation and changes over time. Each disc consists of a centrally located nucleus pulposus, a peripheral annulus fibrosus and cartilaginous plates.

SYMPTOMS

In the presence of a disc herniation, a portion of the disc nucleus protrudes through the fibers of the annulus fibrosus and creates problems when it touches the nerve root. Irritation of the adjacent nerves leads to pain, stiffness or weakness of the arm or leg.

What are the symptoms of discopathy:

Long-term back / neck and low back pain; Spasm of the muscular system around the spine; Muscle weakness in the upper and / or lower extremities; Pain and numbness in the upper and / or lower legs; Weakening of reflexes in the upper and / or lower legs; Changes in pelvic reservoir functions; The pain causing lumbar disc herniation seems to appear suddenly, but it is usually the result of a gradual damage process. Less common causes of disc herniation are trauma (e.g. falls), car accidents, etc.

1. Stage Bulging disc. A slight convex image exceeding the edges of the adjacent vertebral disc. The annulus fibrosus and the Sharpey fibers located in the periphery are intact.
2. Stage Prolapsed disc. Posterior herniation of the disc from a partial defect in the annulus fibrosus. Only the outermost periphery or posterior annulus fibers are intact. The hernia or prolapsed disc is related to the non-herniated part.
3. Stage Extruded disc. Posterior herniation of the disc from the defect in the annulus fibrosus.
4. Stage Sequestrated disc (free fragment). Extrusion of the nucleus pulposus through the defect in the annulus fibrosus, and the absence of a relationship between this extruded fragment and the non-herniated disc. The fragment may be anterior or posterior to the posterior longitudinal ligament, superior or inferior to the disc space, or rarely intradural.

LOCALIZATION OF LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION

L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels are most commonly affected (98% of cases).
The remaining locations are L1-L2 (under 1%), L2-L3 (about 1% of cases), and L3-L4 (about 3%). Approximately 24% of patients with a disc herniation at L3-L4 levels usually have a history of disc herniation at L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels, showing a general predisposition to disc disease.

DIAGNOSIS OF LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION

At our Private EKOL Hospital in Edirne, we make every effort to provide you with the best and most equipped technology for your personal and quality treatments. The diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation is performed by careful examination by an experienced specialist. Prof. Dr. Erol Yalnız, orthopedic and traumatology professor in our clinic, provides you with this opportunity.

A skilled practitioner can easily guide themselves to the possible cause of the patient’s complaints. Physical examination alone is not sufficient for disc herniation. It is necessary to perform a figurative study – Computerized Tomography (CT), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MRI).

A normal X-ray image is not an indicator of a herniated disc. Degenerative changes (osteophytes) are quite often found in many patients without significant complaints. The importance of X-ray images is more prominent in diseases such as osteoporosis, inflammatory diseases, traumas, tumor diseases, but it has no practical significance in the diagnosis of disc herniation. Non-invasive techniques such as CT and MRI provide important information and details about the dissection of the hernia in 75-95% of cases.

TREATMENT OF LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION

Our clinic has a highly qualified healthcare team that cares about the quality and professional treatment of patients. Modernly prepared rooms providing comfortable treatment and accommodation are offered to patients.
The treatment of lumbar disc herniation is surgical. Indications for surgical treatment are urgent and planned.

Some complaints that require surgery:
Urinary reservoir disorders (urinary incontinence or inability to urinate)
Progressive neurological disorders (acute weakness leading to paresis or paralysis of lower extremity muscles)
Disqualification from conservative treatment
Onset of pelvic-vascular disorders (then surgical treatment indications become urgent).

At Edirne Private Ekol Hospital, the methods used to treat lumbar disc herniation comply with the most advanced standards in spine surgery with Professor Dr. Erol Yalnız in the Orthopedics and Traumatology department. We make every effort to provide your individual and quality treatment.

Treatment methods are Microscopic discectomy and Laminectomy.

Microdiscectomy surgery is a minimally invasive procedure to remove the herniation of the intervertebral disc, thereby preventing compression of the nerve root. This procedure takes 40 to 90 minutes under general anesthesia through a small incision. The basic principles of microsurgery are to preserve the maximum anatomical integrity of tissues. Patients can get up and walk one day after the surgery, and usually stay in our hospital for 2-3 days.

Laminectomy surgery in the lumbar region is primarily aimed at eliminating symptoms caused by compression of the nerve root during stenosis in the lumbar spine. This surgical treatment method usually comes to the fore in the presence of a herniated disc in a large intervertebral disc. In such cases, the purpose of the operation is to provide free access to the affected area. Laminectomy is performed under general anesthesia of the patient, and the operation time is 1-3 hours.