Many people in our country have experienced back pain at some point in their lives. In fact, eight out of ten people have experienced this. But most of the time, this pain subsides within a few days, a week or two. But if your back pain continues for weeks or months without subsiding, you may be wondering, "Oh, will I have to have surgery too?" Let's talk about this today.
How is this 'disk' related to back pain?
There are many causes of back pain. But the most common cause is problems with the rubbery 'discs' between our vertebrae. Think of these discs as the 'shock absorbers' in a car. They absorb the pressure on our back when we walk, run, or lift heavy objects, protecting our spine.
So, this disk can have several problems.
Simply put, this disc has a hard outer shell and a soft, jelly-like inner shell. Sometimes, if there is a small tear in this outer shell, the jelly-like part can come out and press on a nearby nerve. This is what we call a "slipped disc ." Doctors call this condition a herniated disc .
If the disc that protrudes in this way presses on your sciatic nerve, you may experience severe pain that starts in your back and travels down your buttock and down your leg. This is what many people call 'sciatica pain.'
In addition, with age, these discs can wear out. We call this ``degenerated''. Then they can no longer provide the same good support to the spine as before.
Does every back problem require surgery?
No, absolutely not! This is the most important thing you need to know. Even if a disc is herniated, it can often be treated without surgery.
Even neurosurgeons say that "between 80% and 85% of patients with a herniated disc will recover over time without surgery."
Your doctor will usually try non-surgical treatments first.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs: Medications given to reduce pain and swelling.
- Physical Therapy : Exercises that strengthen the muscles around the spine and teach you how to properly care for the spine.
- Steroid injections: An injection into the area where the nerve is pinched. This can greatly reduce pain and swelling.
- Rest and patience: It is very important to get some rest and give the treatment time to heal.
So when should you think about surgery?
If you have been taking other treatments (medication, physical therapy) for about 6 to 12 weeks and the pain has not subsided, then your doctor will consider surgery.
However, in some cases, surgery may be needed sooner. Be very aware of these symptoms:
- If the pain you are experiencing is too severe to bear .
- If your back muscles are so weak that you can't even walk properly .
- Most importantly: If you have a condition where you cannot control your urine or stool because a disc is pressing on a nerve, this is an emergency. If this happens , you should go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately .
Your doctor will order tests like an X-ray, MRI scan, or CT scan to see exactly what's going on inside your spine at this time.
What are the types of surgeries performed on spinal discs?
There is more than one way to fix a disc problem. The type of surgery you will undergo will depend on the extent of damage to your disc. Let's take a look at the main methods.
| The Problem | The Surgery and its Method |
|---|---|
| Herniated/Slipped Disk | The surgery for this is called a microdiscectomy . This involves removing only the piece of disc that is pressing on the nerve. Traditional method: A small incision is made, about an inch long, the muscles are pulled to one side, and the part of the disc that is pressing on the nerve is removed. Minimally Invasive: A very small incision is made, and special instruments (dilators) are inserted through the incision without cutting the muscles, and the disc fragment is removed. This method has a faster recovery time. |
| Degenerated Disk & Arthritis | As we age, discs wear down and arthritis develops in the joints of the spine, the pathways for the nerves in the spine narrow. Doctors call this stenosis . What is done: Surgery involves removing extra bone and widening the passage for the nerves. Sometimes, spacers are placed between the vertebrae to stabilize the spine, or several vertebrae are fused together. This is called spinal fusion . |
A word about disk replacement...
There is also a surgery that completely replaces a disc. However, this is not as popular as it used to be. The reason is that there are still questions about how effective it is, and some insurance companies do not even pay for it. This is often only suitable if the disc problem occurs at a young age (around 20-30 years old).
What to expect after surgery?
If you have a microdiscectomy, you can usually go home the same day. However, if you have a surgery like a spinal fusion, you will need to stay in the hospital for a day or two.
Every surgery has a small risk, but these are generally very safe surgeries. Sometimes, there can be a small tear in the membrane around the spine, causing fluid to leak out. This can cause a headache. But it's not serious and can be easily treated and cured.
These surgeries are very successful. Doctors say that "98% of patients who have had surgery never need to have another surgery on the same area again." That means the pain goes away.
Physical therapy is definitely necessary after surgery.
Recovery after a microdiscectomy is very quick. You can walk in a few days. However, you should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for the first 4-6 weeks to avoid re-injury.
Some doctors refer patients to a program called "back school." They teach you how to bend over, lift weights, and do exercises to strengthen the muscles around your back without hurting your back. Because if you do the same things you did before surgery, you're more likely to hurt your back again.
If you have a spinal fusion, you will need to do physical therapy for a little longer. You can usually return to your normal activities within 2-3 months.
Take-Home Message
- Back pain is very common. 80-85% of people can recover without surgery, with medications and physical therapy.
- First, you should try non-surgical treatments for at least 2-3 months.
- If you experience unbearable pain, weakness in your legs, or especially if you have difficulty controlling your urine/feces, see a doctor immediately.
- If surgery is necessary, surgeries such as microdiscectomy or spinal fusion are very successful.
- To fully recover after surgery, it is essential to follow the doctor's instructions and do physical therapy properly.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න