2023-08-23 00:24:00
[현대건강신문] Lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, also known as herniated disc, was common in middle-aged people. However, in recent years, the number of patients complaining of this disease is increasing even in the younger generation. In particular, office workers who sit at a desk for long hours or stand all day, or those who frequently use their backs to work, cannot be relieved.
Between the vertebrae are discs (intervertebral discs) that absorb shock. Disc disease occurs when the annulus fibrosus surrounding the edge of the intervertebral disc cracks and the nucleus pulposus inside the intervertebral disc protrudes beyond the boundary of the vertebrae.
Since it is a disease caused by the weakening of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, it can occur more often as you get older. However, herniated discs often occur due to the weakening of the annulus fibrosus at a young age due to genetic predisposition, habits, trauma, etc. However, in young people, there are many acute discs in which the disc suddenly ruptures due to trauma or accidents.
Symptoms include sciatica, numbness in the leg, and radiating pain that radiates from the hip to the leg. My back hurts and I feel like I have no strength in my legs. Radiating pain refers to the spread or transfer of pain from a diseased area to other surrounding areas.
Treatment can be broadly divided into nonsurgical treatment and surgical treatment. Usually, lumbar disc treatment comes to mind first, but 70 to 80% of patients improve their symptoms to the point that they do not need surgery after 4 to 6 weeks after onset. Non-surgical treatment includes drug therapy such as anti-inflammatory painkillers and muscle relaxants, physical therapy, and injection therapy in which steroid drugs are injected into the disc prolapsed area.
Patients with severe pain even after 4 to 6 weeks after onset should consider surgery. If there are symptoms such as motor nerve paralysis such as sagging feet, and urination disorders that weaken the ability to urinate, surgical treatment should be performed early. Microscopic or endoscopic discectomy is often performed, and when an experienced neurosurgeon and spine specialist performs it under an accurate diagnosis, both types of surgery do not leave large scars and improve pain and recovery very quickly after surgery.
Sitting hunched over or sitting cross-legged on the floor for a long time puts strain on the lower back. It is also not good to bend down and lift heavy objects. When lifting heavy objects, it is best to bend your knees and use your leg strength. When lying down, placing a pillow under your knees can help ease your lower back. A life habit of avoiding the floor life and sitting properly in a chair is helpful.
Exercise is also important. The extension exercise, in which the lower body is fixed on the floor or exercise equipment and the upper body is lifted backward, is an exercise to strengthen the back muscles. Abdominal exercises can also help, but using a lot of backlash like sit-ups puts a strain on the back, so lifting your upper body with your knees bent is appropriate.
Well-developed back muscles help prevent disc herniation by reducing the burden on the back joint. However, excessive exercise is prohibited when there is acute pain, and it is good to do it when there is no pain. [고려대안산병원 신경외과 김범준 교수]
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