Disc Distance and Importance
The disk carries the loads exposed to the waist, keeps the upper part of the body upright and moves the waist in all directions. As a result of tearing the disc material out of the content affects daily life. The disc material that comes out immediately compresses the spinal cord and nerve roots at close range, causing back pain and leg pain.
How the Disc Tears (Lumbar Disc Herniation)
The material of the disc is composed of nucleus pulposus, which is more watery on the inside, and anulus fibrosis, which is more rigid on the outside. With age, nukleus pulposus in the inner part begins to lose water structure and the height of the disk distance should be flexible decreases. The disk distance cannot carry the loads that it is exposed to, and begins to come out with the tear that appears on the outside of the disk. This process usually takes a long time.
Lifting heavy loads or uncontrolled movement can often cause a rupture of the disc. Disc material can be ruptured in the face of abruptly exposed forces such as traffic accidents or falling from heights.
What are the Risk Factors?
It is more common in men than in women. Usually seen in middle ages, but can be seen in all age groups. Obesity, working in heavy jobs and smoking increases the likelihood of lumbar disc herniation. The incidence is more frequent in those with herniated disc in their family.
What Are The Symptoms Of Herniated Disc?
The first findings associated with the compression of the nerve root near the disc material as a result of the ejection of the disc material, or the inflammation that occurred here, are low back pain and leg pain. Pain in the lower back and leg can be seen together, as well as one of these two complaints can be seen only one.
- Low Back Pain
Depending on the nerve root affected, there may be pain spreading to different levels of the leg. The pain is usually described by the patient as sharp and electric shock.
- Numbness-Weakness in the Leg
In some patients, numbness and tingling are seen. Depending on the compression of the nerve root, weakness or loss of function can be seen in the leg.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Problems with the bladder may occur due to the compression of the last part of the spinal cord and should be treated urgently.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Please contact your doctor.