PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND TREATMENT OF LUMBAR HERNIATED DISCS

28/12/2021

The lumbar spine is composed of five vertebrae, separated by cartilage discs. Degenerative changes or lumbar disc injury can damage the fibrous ring - a band of tough and firm cartilage tissue that surrounds the cartilage disc. The disc nucleus can be herniated, enter into the spinal canals or nerve root canals and cause pain, numbness, weakness, discomfort to the patient.

According to statistics in Vietnam, about 30% of the population is suffering from back pain, especially due to disc damage. The disease increasingly prones to the younger generation and is common in the ages of 30 and 60 years. Understanding the disease in order to timely change daily living habits is a way for us to ensure the quality of life.

► Causes:

Structural changes of the intervertebral discs
Aging and internal disc disruption
Severe injuries can cause herniated discs. Injuries can also worsen disc condition which has been herniated already.

► Common symptoms:

Intermittent or persistent back pain. This condition can get worse when moving, coughing, sneezing, or standing for a long time
Back muscle spasm
Sciatica – the pain begins near the back or buttocks and radiates down the legs to the calves or feet
Lower limb muscle weakness
Legs or feet numbness
Knee or malleolar hyporeflexia
Changes in bladder or bowel functions

► Diagnostic methods:

Besides medical history investigation and health check-up, you could have some subclinical tests such as X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), myelography with contrast agent, computed tomography (CT), electromyogram (EMG).

► Treatment:

Bedrest
Proper muscle stretching exercises help to reduce the risk of aggravating pain or intervertebral disc lesion
Physiotherapy includes sound wave treatment, massage, hot compresses and exercise
Weight control
Use a back support belt
Medications for pain control and muscle relaxation

► Precautions:

Exercise regularly
The diet ensures enough calcium and vitamin D needed for bone health
Weight control
Quit smoking
Standing, sitting, carrying heavy objects posture should be noticed carefully
Using a mattress that can keep the spine straight, simultaneously supporting the weight of the shoulders and buttocks, use comfortable pillows
Limited wearing high heels

At traumatology & orthopedics, American International Hospital (AIH), during consultation and treatment, doctors will apply the latest methods, techniques and treatment regimens according to American standards. Most importantly, orthopedists will collaborate with physiotherapy - rehabilitation doctors to plan treatment and design individual exercises for each patient basing on the patient assessment through many factors: severity of disease, occupation, sport habits, other patient’s diseases, appropriate training time for patients.

Patients are also assisted in pain relief by various methods, modern equipment and ideal treatment space at the American International Hospital (AIH) for patients to participate in training, shorten the recovery time, back to normal mobility soon.

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For checkup and consultation at AIH:

☎️ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999

🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn

📍 Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh