There are 24 vertebrae in our body, and they form the spinal canal from the neck to the tail. The lumbar region of the spine is called the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine has five vertebrae and they are surrounded by connective tissue and muscles. Between our spinal bones, there is a cartilage cushion filled with a special gel-like connective tissue core, which we call the intervertebral disc, which facilitates our movements and ensures the durability of the spine. So, intervertebral disc; The inner gel tissue consists of two main structures, the nucleus pulposus and the outer annulus fibrosus cartilage. These discs act as shock absorbers, facilitating intervertebral movement and providing flexibility in the lumbar region. As a result of the rupture of the disc (annulus fibrosus) due to reasons such as carrying heavy loads, falling, trauma and obesity, the inner gel jelly (anulus pulposus) overflows into the spinal canal and herniates. This (herniated) part presses on the nerves in the spinal canal and compresses the nerves. The disease that occurs in this way is called lumbar disc herniation in medical language, and herniated disc in folk terms. Low back pain and herniated disc should not be confused with each other. In our people, when there is low back pain in general, the opinion that there is a herniated disc develops immediately. However, the majority of low back pain is not caused by a herniated disc, but by muscle and joint strains, and they usually go away on their own in the short term. Sometimes drug therapy may be required, including rest and even physical therapy support. Low back and back pain are the most common diseases of our age; affects work life, strength and quality of life. The waist region is the part of our body that carries the heaviest load. Lifting heavy, sitting for a long time, bad posture, unconscious or careless exercise disrupt the anatomical structure of the waist and cause low back diseases. The most common diseases in the lumbar spine are lumbar disc herniation (lumbar hernia), lumbar stenosis (lumbar canal narrowing) and spondylolisthesis (lumbar slippage)
What are the most important symptoms of lumbar hernia?
The following symptoms may occur in a patient with a herniated disc:
• Low back pain
• Leg pain, unilateral or bilateral.
• Movement limitations
• Difficulty walking, limping or limping.
• Difficulty sitting and standing up • Numbness and tingling in the legs and feet
• Loss of strength in the legs and feet in cases with severe nerve pressure,
• urine incontinence, loss of sexual desire and stiffness, constipation.
Herniated disc usually starts slowly over years or months and may worsen. It can complicate the patient's life in a long period of time. It can also occur suddenly when a cold or warm feeling hits from the waist to the leg during a reverse movement or weight lifting. While some patients are able to walk by managing their pain despite their pain, some patients suddenly become twisted and unverified. The severity of lumbar hernia is the presence of severe pain and numbness in the hips and legs. The conditions that patients should take most seriously are the inability to step on their heels, which we call low feet, or the state of walking with a limp. In addition, rapidly developing urinary incontinence accompanied by low back pain and loss of stiffness in men are conditions that require urgent referral to a specialist.
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