A man in his 30s who usually enjoys working out slightly strained his back while doing a squat. Starting the next day, he felt a tingling and throbbing pain in his sacrum. He initially thought it was muscle soreness, but as the pain persisted, he visited a hospital. Mr. A was diagnosed with a herniated disc and had to undergo rehabilitation for a while. What symptoms should raise suspicion of a herniated disc in the back?

 

The official medical term for a herniated disc is lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. It refers to a condition where the intervertebral disc (disc) between the lumbar (lower back) vertebrae is damaged, causing the nucleus pulposus inside to protrude or herniate. It can be triggered by strong external forces such as exercise. In addition to physical activity, factors such as poor posture, excessive weight, and repetitive strain on the lower back from work also contribute.

When the internal nucleus pulposus compresses the nerves, it leads to lower back pain and radiating pain. Lower back pain refers to pain in the lumbar area, which worsens when lifting heavy objects or sitting for long periods. Radiating pain is a sensation that spreads to the hips, legs, and feet, primarily affecting one leg. Pain can also occur when coughing, sneezing, or laughing. If the nerve roots are compressed due to a lumbar disc herniation, symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the legs may appear. It may be difficult to lift the ankles or toes. Without proper treatment, additional strain on the lower back can worsen the condition, and if the spinal cord nerves are severely compressed by the disc, it can even cause bladder and bowel dysfunction. Therefore, if a lumbar disc herniation is suspected, it is advisable to undergo prompt diagnosis.

 

In most cases, without surgery as well

▲Exercise therapy

Traction therapy

▲Can recover through injection therapy.

 

Professor Hongbeom Park of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Korea University Ansan Hospital said, "Only 5% of patients with herniated discs in the lower back require surgery," and "if they receive non-surgical treatment suitable for them, they can sufficiently overcome a herniated disc." Exercise therapy is a treatment method that improves the flexibility and strength of superficial and deep muscles. It enhances lower back stability, corrects spinal structure, and strengthens overall body strength. Traction therapy is a treatment that stretches the muscles around the spine to increase the space between vertebrae, alleviating pain and improving spinal function. Injections involve administering medication into the space between nerves in the lumbar vertebrae or above the tailbone to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

If bowel and bladder dysfunction appear or if non-surgical treatment has been ongoing for more than three months without improvement, surgery may be considered. If not treated promptly, it can lead to paralysis of the legs.

 

There are several types of lumbar disc surgery, including ▲microscopic surgery ▲endoscopic surgery ▲fixation and fusion surgery. Microscopic surgery involves making a skin incision of about 1.5 to 2 cm, then using a microscope to magnify the area by 10 to 15 times or more, allowing the surgeon to see the three-dimensional structure and remove the herniated disc compressing the nerve. Endoscopic surgery involves inserting an endoscope with a camera lens near the disc, allowing the surgeon to perform the procedure while viewing a monitor. It results in less bleeding and a lower risk of infection compared to microscopic surgery. However, since the surgeon operates based on a two-dimensional view, the skill and experience of the surgeon are crucial.

 

Fixed and fusion surgery involves removing not only the herniated disc but also the entire degenerated disc if the lumbar disc recurs after surgery, and then fixing the artificial bone with screws and nails. While pain is alleviated, the range of motion is permanently restricted.

 

After lumbar disc surgery, you can resume activities such as exercise after six months.

 

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Our staff member suffered from muscle pain for a long time.

Finally, the disc has ruptured.

These days, I am diligently receiving rehabilitation therapy after work.

You need to pay close attention to muscle pain.