｜Hidoc and Gwanggyo Samsung H Orthopedics together explore the “golden time to protect bones and joints from bone diseases”. We present diseases that threaten the musculoskeletal system and tips for taking care of your body.
Herniated disc is a well-known disease that everyone has heard of at least once, but misunderstandings still exist. A representative example is “treatment”. When a lumbar disc herniation is diagnosed, there are cases where people hesitate to seek treatment due to a vague fear of needing surgery. Some people think they shouldn’t exercise and minimize their movements. In this regard, Orthopedic Specialist Director Park Hee-seol (Gwanggyo Samsung H Orthopaedics) said: “Surgical treatment is not necessarily necessary, and most cases can be improved with drug treatment or injection treatment.” He then advised that when it comes to exercise, it is important to choose the right time and method. With the help of director Park Hee-seol, we examined the misconceptions about lumbar disc problems.
Lumbar disc is one of the representative diseases that cause back pain, and if left untreated, it can cause various problems | Source: Getty Image Bank
Back pain = herniated disc?… Pay attention to associated symptoms
The official name of the lumbar disc is “intervertebral disc herniation”. The intervertebral disc is composed of a fibrous ring that surrounds the nucleus pulposus. Herniated intervertebral disc (disc) refers to a condition in which the annulus fibrosus is torn due to repeated twisting and deformation, resulting in the nucleus pulposus leaking out. It tends to occur in people who bend their back excessively or lift a lot of heavy objects.
When pain appears in the lower back, many people first suspect a “lumbar disc”. In fact, lumbar disc herniation is a common disease with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 10%. However, since the causes of back pain are different, you need to carefully examine whether your back pain is accompanied by abnormal symptoms. There are many cases where lumbar discs are also accompanied by characteristic abnormal symptoms. Director Park Hee-seol explained, “A herniated disc may cause only simple back pain, but is usually accompanied by radiating pain (numbness) or neurological symptoms such as decreased sensation and decreased muscle strength.”
MRI is necessary for accurate diagnosis and differentiation from other diseases, but in the case of lumbar disc herniation, indirect diagnosis is possible by checking the deterioration of the space between the discs through physical examination and x-ray.
Is surgery necessary? 90% relieved with conservative treatment
Some people believe that surgery is essential for lumbar disc herniation, but more than 80 to 90 percent of cases show improvement with conservative treatments such as medications and injection therapy. Of course, there are cases where surgery is necessary. Surgical treatment should be considered in cases where symptoms are not relieved despite sufficient conservative treatment, making daily life uncomfortable, cauda equina syndrome accompanied by urinary and bowel dysfunction, and muscle weakness becoming increasingly severe.
Director Park Hee-seol said: “Not all disc patients require surgical treatment and this should only be considered in cases where it is necessary,” adding: “With the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques, c ‘There is a trend towards more disc removal surgeries being performed using endoscopes.’
Is physical activity prohibited? The correct management method in daily life is…
Equally important as treatment is patient management. The basics of lumbar disc care are avoiding bad habits that put pressure on the lower back. Director Park Hee-seol explained the lifestyle habits that lumbar disc patients should avoid as follows:
“The relaxed, sitting posture causes constant stress and fatigue on the intervertebral discs. Therefore it is important to maintain correct posture when sitting. However, even if you try to maintain good posture, it’s easy for your back to bend if you sit for a long time. Therefore, it is recommended to get up and stretch your lower back at least every 30-60 minutes and take a break at least every 1-2 hours when driving long distances.
Furthermore, it is advisable to refrain from lifting heavy objects as much as possible. Another thing to pay attention to is the posture in which you bend. Occasionally, a herniated disc may occur when picking up tissue that has fallen to the floor. “Please be careful of this kind of attitude.”
So, how about exercising? In general, if you experience pain due to lumbar disc herniation, it is best to refrain from physical activity. However, if there is no pain, stretching and core strength exercises are helpful in managing the disease. Director Park Hee-seol said that △Cow-Cat Movement △Dog-Bird Exercise △Plank △Lateral Plank △Felvik Bridge are helpful. If you feel pain during physical activity, it is advisable to stop the activity, check if your posture is correct and seek advice from an expert.
Help = Director Park Hee-seol, Hidoc consultant doctor (orthopedic surgery specialist Gwanggyo Samsung H)
Hidoc Medical Reporter Park Hee-seol, DirectorㅣSource: Gwanggyo Samsung H Orthopedics
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