General Information About Lumbar Disc Herniation
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the tearing of the cartilage discs acting as cushions between the lumbar vertebrae, and the internal structure popping out to compress the nerves going to the legs.
Not only the lower back hurts. A severe pain in the form of an electric shock or pulling is felt along the route of the compressed nerve (sciatic nerve), starting from the hip and going down the back of the thigh to the calf and heel.
If the hernia crushes the nerves going to the bladder and intestines; if urinary or fecal incontinence occurs, sudden paralysis in the leg (drop foot), or numbness in the genital area develops, emergency surgery within hours is mandatory.
90% of cases are treated non-surgically. Bed rest, painkillers, muscle relaxants, and physical therapy applications provide healing in the majority of patients.
In cases where medication and physical therapy are insufficient, a targeted cortisone injection directly to the herniated nerve root in the operating room (Epidural Steroid Injection) quickly stops the pain.
In advanced hernias, a 1.5 cm small incision is made in the lower back region, and under a microscope, the hernia piece compressing the nerve is removed. The patient is discharged walking the next day.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
