Op. Dr. Fatih Kırar

How Do the Symptoms of a Herniated Disc Appear?

A sudden movement in the lumbar region can cause a herniated disc. In folk parlance, situations such as making a wrong movement, incorrect posture and getting up in the wrong way at one time, straightening can trigger a hernia.

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Lifting weights that exceed the body’s lifting capacity can lead to the risk of a herniated disc, even the risk of disc rupture. Even a sudden accident or impact can lead to the occurrence of a herniated disc. Therefore, it cannot be definitively stated that a herniated disc has occurred for a specific reason. Especially, disc ruptures in the case of a herniated disc can also occur due to careless and inattentive use of the back for a long time. It can also occur due to a sudden traffic accident. Sometimes, it can occur when a person strains their back excessively while exercising. Therefore, the symptoms of a herniated disc and the factors that cause it are not attributed to a single cause, and the treatment methods are also not limited to a single one.

What Are the Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?

One of the common initial complaints of individuals with a herniated disc is severe back pain accompanied by leg pain. Numbness in the feet and difficulty walking are often the first answers to the question of the symptoms of a herniated disc. In some patients, general complaints may not be observed. Some patients may visit the doctor without any pain, and a diagnosis of a herniated disc may still be made.

Another misconception is that a herniated disc only causes back pain. A herniated disc does not only cause pain in the back area; it can also manifest itself with symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the legs and feet, which vary from person to person. If a person has a herniated disc, sudden reflexes such as coughing or sneezing will intensify the pain. This is due to the pressure on the spinal cord. As the hernia puts pressure on the leg nerves, the patient’s complaint of numbness, burning, and tingling in the legs will increase.

In cases where the herniated disc condition becomes severe, increased nerve compression can lead to difficulties in walking, inability to hold urine, and sexual problems. These complaints significantly affect daily life and should not be postponed by thinking they will go away when rested. The symptoms of a herniated disc occur as mentioned above. However, in some cases, different symptoms may also appear. Therefore, it is important to regularly check the body, and a seemingly insignificant pain may later become a trigger for some diseases.

When Does a Herniated Disc Occur?

There should be a stressful situation in the lower back. It occurs as a result of the tearing of the cartilage tissue surrounding the back part of the spine and the disc.

Mild pain and backache are felt at the moment of the initial tear. This pain is felt instantly due to the pressure on nerve endings. Subsequently, incorrect posture, movements that strain the back, wrong sports activities, any pressure on this tissue, such as sudden movements, lead to an increase in the severity of the pain. As a result, it progresses to the stage of a ruptured herniated disc, even in advanced stages.

What Are the Complaints of a Herniated Disc?

The presence of severe back pain during an examination, and the recurrence of this pain during the examination, can be considered a complaint of a herniated disc.

Describing tingling, numbness, and loss of sensation in the lower back area extending towards the coccyx may suggest the risk of a herniated disc.

The worsening of the patient’s condition when performing stressful movements with the back may suggest a risk. Especially sudden, involuntary movements such as sneezing and coughing cause severe pain in the patient’s back. Such findings are indicative and direct towards the need for appropriate examinations, suggesting the possibility of a herniated disc.

Why Doesn't a Herniated Disc Only Cause Back Pain?

The reason is its relationship with putting pressure on the nervous systems. In other words, a herniated disc does not directly affect the back. The nervous system extends to every part of the human body. It is possible to say that a herniated disc affects various areas of the body by affecting the nerves.

It is essential to emphasize that the treatment of a herniated disc is crucial because any untreated issue leads to the next stage of progression. Starting with back pain, this condition leads to severe pain, leg pain, and even nerve compression, resulting in difficulty walking. Complaints that significantly affect daily life should not be postponed by assuming they will pass when rested. The symptoms of a herniated disc are as mentioned above. However, in some cases, different symptoms may also appear. Therefore, it is important to regularly check the body, and seemingly insignificant pain may later become a trigger for some diseases.

Is It Possible to Get Rid of a Herniated Disc?

Patients with a herniated disc may wonder if it is possible to get rid of a herniated disc. The answer to this question is yes, it is possible. A herniated disc is a recurring condition. Therefore, eliminating the existing problem should be the primary option. After that, by continuing with exercises, strengthening the lower back, preventing weight gain, and avoiding the recurrence of a herniated disc, it is possible to prevent it from happening again.

Getting rid of a herniated disc is possible. However, not every herniated disc is treated with surgery. The most important thing here is to make it easy to eliminate this condition by developing alternative treatment methods for herniated discs, even in advanced stages.

Treatment methods for a herniated disc include medication therapy, exercise therapy, acupuncture treatment methods, ozone therapy, and exercise therapies. When combined with alternative medicine, non-surgical herniated disc treatment can yield different results. There are injection therapies and related methods developed. Treatment methods can be improved, and results may vary from person to person, depending on different methods used for herniated disc treatment. Therefore, it can be said that herniated disc treatment is a manageable condition.

Development of Herniated Disc After a Herniated Disc
  • Continuous numbness, pain, and a feeling of numbness with pain in a specific region of the body

  • Numbness spreading to the lower back region

  • Numbness descending towards the legs

  • Severe pain that wakes up from sleep at night

  • Pain while walking

  • Numbness and walking obstacles even in short walks

  • Muscle loss, muscle weakness

  • Severe pain, burning sensation, numbness, and tingling sensation leading to constant stabbing sensation

    With such symptoms, the patient consults a doctor with relevant complaints. With the diagnosis of a herniated disc resulting from the examination, it is ideal to start the treatment methods. Because in the treatment methods applied without experiencing nerve loss, relief in the patient and the process of controlling the herniated disc will accelerate. It is appropriate for the doctor to decide whether surgical intervention is necessary. There is no rule that every herniated disc requires surgery. At the same time, non-surgical methods should be applied to every hernia. Therefore, the most appropriate decision should be made by the doctor, and a suitable roadmap should be followed accordingly.

Ways to Prevent a Herniated Disc

Taking precautions beforehand can prevent the occurrence of this disease. To prevent a herniated disc, firstly, avoid gaining weight. Excess weight puts pessure on the lower back. Weight applying pressure to the lumbar vertebrae ultimately triggers the herniated disc disease.

Individuals leading a sedentary lifestyle are also prone to herniated disc issues. Engaging in regular and well-balanced sports and exercise is considered a way to prevent herniated discs. Additionally, daily activities at home or the workplace are crucial. Lifting loads or objects in an unconscious and sudden manner can lead to herniated disc problems. Although this problem may not be immediately noticeable, consistently incorrect movements over time can result in herniation.

Herniated Disc Treatment Methods

Treatment for herniated disc varies for each individual. Therefore, individuals experiencing herniated disc issues should not recommend treatment methods to each other. Expert physicians will share the correct treatment method with their patients. Treatment methods are entirely personal and specific. In non-urgent cases not requiring surgical intervention, it is recommended for the patient to avoid sudden movements and take short breaks for rest. Additionally, if the patient has a physically demanding job, taking a break from that work for a while may be advised. In cases of mild symptoms of herniated discs, physicians often prescribe painkillers and muscle relaxants. Alternatives such as steroids and corsets are also evaluated by the doctor based on the patient’s condition.

Various herniated disc treatment methods can be applied. The most commonly practiced and well-known treatment methods are as follows:

Surgical Treatments: One of the most well-known methods for herniated discs. Surgical treatment is resorted to in the case of a delayed herniated disc. Generally, doctors use surgical intervention as a last resort. If there are no neurological symptoms, surgical intervention is not performed. However, in cases of delayed or postponed herniated discs, experts turn to surgical treatment.

Microdiscectomy: In this method, the lower part of the back is anesthetized, and the operation is performed. It is known as a surgical intervention along with general or epidural anesthesia. The method, performed with a microscope, ensures postoperative painlessness and comfort.

Open Discectomy: Another surgical treatment method. It is applied with general anesthesia. The operation is carried out with the patient lying face down. A 3-5 cm incision is made where the light is located, and the disc causing the herniation is successfully removed through surgery.

Endoscopic: This method involves less cutting in the body compared to other methods. With a 1 cm incision, the disc with the herniation is taken through surgical intervention. Epidural or local anesthesia is applied in this method.

Other Methods: Treatment methods for herniated discs include ultrasonic heating therapy, electrical stimuli, hot and cold applications, and manual massages. These applications can prevent herniated discs and alleviate pain in the affected area. Afterward, the treatment can be completed with plenty of physical therapy and exercise.

Medications can be prescribed for herniated discs. Unfortunately, drugs alone do not constitute a treatment method.

Progress in herniated disc treatment is achieved through medication and exercises.

Additionally, benefiting from physical therapy methods is also possible.

Here, the purpose of medications is to alleviate the severe pain caused by herniated discs. With physical therapy and lumbar exercise supplements, the aim is to strengthen the lumbar spine. Correction of the individual’s posture is ensured. As a result, support is provided for the herniation to retract. The proper alignment of the spine is maintained. If the lumbar region is strengthened and empowered, the aim is to eliminate the risk of herniated discs forming or recurring in the future. For these reasons, herniated disc treatment methods do not function alone, as revealed in the context.

Consult Now

If you think you have symptoms of a hernia, consult a specialist immediately.