Dear patients, herniated disc is a very common health problem today. Surgery should be considered as a last resort in cases of herniated disc disease, where a treatment plan specific to the progression of the person's disease and the person's complaints should be made.
What is a herniated disc?
Before giving information about the things to consider after herniated disc surgery, "What is a herniated disc?" I want to explain briefly. There are five vertebrae in our waist area. Between the vertebrae, called "disc"; There are structures that prevent the vertebrae from touching each other and nerve compression.
The structures and therefore the functions of the discs between the lumbar vertebrae are damaged due to reasons such as advancing age, excessive load on the waist area due to excess weight, exposure to trauma, reverse movements or posture disorders. The discs herniate, and as a result of the herniation of the discs, a health problem that we define as "lumbar herniation" occurs.
-Herniated Disc Symptoms
The most common herniated disc symptoms are low back pain, leg pain, numbness in the legs, loss of strength in the legs. Symptoms include lameness, difficulty performing daily tasks, and, rarely, urinary incontinence.
Important: One of the most distinctive symptoms of a herniated disc is low back pain, which also affects the leg and foot area. The possibility of a herniated disc is very low in those who only complain of lower back pain. When the discs between the vertebrae in the waist area herniate, they put pressure on the nerves. Therefore, pain does not only cause low back pain to a large extent.
Dear readers, a herniated disc is a health condition that affects daily life and reduces a person's ability to move. As the disease progresses, the person may not be able to move due to the pain caused by the herniated disc. For this reason, those who experience the symptoms of a herniated disc that I have just mentioned should consult a specialist doctor without delay.
When diagnosing a herniated disc and determining treatment options, the patient's history must be listened to and a physical examination must be performed. Additionally, confirming the diagnosis It is an important step to use imaging methods to know. Once the diagnosis is certain, treatment methods can be chosen. The main purpose of herniated disc treatments is to reduce the pain complaints experienced by the patient and reduce the limitation of movement. All treatment methods aim to help patients return to their daily lives.
There are different methods that can be preferred within the scope of treatment of herniated disc. I can list these methods as follows: medication, rest, physical therapy, injection therapy and herniated disc surgery. Disc herniation surgery is the last resort. In order for herniated disc surgery to be recommended, patients must not respond to other treatment methods. In addition, conditions such as severe loss of strength in the legs, inability to control the excretory system and loss of sexual functions are sought.
Things to Consider After Herniated Disc Surgery
Yes, my dear patients, instead of non-surgical herniated disc treatment for your herniated disc problem, If you have been directed to have surgery or have chosen this treatment method, you should pay attention to many issues in the post-operative period. Now I would like to tell you a few things about life after herniated disc surgery.
After your herniated disc surgery is completed, you will be taken to your room. In the post-operative period, you may experience complaints such as pain and/or burning in your waist area. It is quite normal to experience these complaints, I would like to remind you not to panic. The necessary medications to relieve your pain will be given to you with the approval of the doctors.
After the herniated disc surgery, you will be prohibited from eating or drinking anything for the first 6 hours.
The morning after the surgery, you can stand up and go to the toilet yourself. This will offer you great comfort.
After the operation, you will be asked to sit while eating and you will also need to go for short walks. As long as you do not have any pain problems, you can return home if the doctors approve.
There are many things you should pay attention to after returning home. It will happen. In general terms, I can list the things to consider after herniated disc surgery as follows:
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You should make sure that your bed is comfortable. If possible, try to get a spring mattress. Likewise, you should pay attention to your pillow choice.
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You should avoid sudden movements when going to bed or getting up, you should first sit down with support from your arms and then stand up.
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After the week you are discharged, you will be advised to take a walk. You should walk every day and increase your walking time as your condition increases.
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You should not smoke or consume alcohol after the herniated disc surgery. Remember, smoking and alcohol, which affect the wound healing process, can prolong the time it takes for you to fully heal.
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After herniated disc surgery, you should try to eat healthier than ever. Excess weight is one of the most important risk factors for herniated disc formation. Therefore, you should always pay attention to your weight after the surgery.
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