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Two methods are used to treat intervertebral hernia: conservative and surgical. About 90% of cases of hernia are treated without surgery. But when such methods do not work, doctors recommend surgical intervention. In this article, we’ll explain you how to undergo operations in case of an intervertebral disc hernia and hint you the features of preparation and rehabilitation.
READ IN THE ARTICLE:
Surgery to remove the lumbar herniated disc
Surgery to remove the cervical herniated disc
Surgery to remove the spinal disc hernia through laser
The course of surgery for herniated disc
Rehabilitation after an operation of the intervertebral disc hernia
The best clinics for spinal surgery
Testimonial about the operation for removing the intervertebral hernia
OPERATIONS FOR TREATMENT OF THE INTERVERTEBRAL HERNIA
Intervertebral hernia in 90% of cases occurs in the lumbar spine. In the second place – a hernia of the cervical region (8%), the problem appears rarely in the thoracic part in about 2% of cases. The approach of treating each type of hernia have their own characteristics.
SURGERY TO REMOVE THE LUMBAR HERNIATED DISC
To remove the lumbar disc hernia, a discectomy and a microdiscectomy are used.
Discectomy is a procedure during which the intervertebral disc is removed partially or completely. The hernia ceases to put pressure on the nerve root and the pain disappears.
Operation is conducted through the incision of 7-10 cm. A prosthesis (implant) can be placed if indicated by doctors. Implant is made from the patient’s bone tissue or artificial materials.
Microdiscectomy consists of the removal of the intervertebral disc or part of it using microscopes and endoscopes.
This type of operation is more sparing than discectomy, it is carried through a 2-5 cm incision. Using a microscope, a physician can look in detail at the nerve root and damage to the disc.
It helps to remove a hernia without affecting healthy nerves and tissues. Microdiscectomy is prescribed for the treatment of herniated disc up to 6 mm in size. In some cases, the doctor additionally appoints a laminectomy. It consists of excision of the bone tissue of the vertebrae. Thus, the pressure on the nerves decreases.
SURGERY TO REMOVE THE CERVICAL HERNIATED DISC
For the treatment of intervertebral hernia of the cervical region, the same operations are used as in the case of lumbar spine: a discectomy and a microdiscectomy. Surgical intervention is performed through the incision in front of the neck. Access through the back of the neck is used very rarely, this is due to the large number of nerves and vessels that can be touched in this area.
During surgery, doctors remove the damaged intervertebral disc and bone fragments of the vertebrae. At the place of the disc, an implant is inserted from fragments of the patient’s bone tissue (spondylosis). The tissue is taken from the pelvis of a person. A more modern method is the installation of a cage, that is, an artificial implant. This case, the patient avoids additional pelvic trauma to take the bone.
SURGERY TO REMOVE THE SPINAL DISC HERNIA THROUGH LASER
Treatment of intervertebral hernia with laser or laser vaporization is one of the least traumatic methods. During the procedure, a needle is inserted into the hernia and a laser beam is fed through it. The laser heats and evaporates the damaged part of the intervertebral disc.
Due to this, the hernia size decreases and ceases to squeeze the nerve root. This operation is shown for small formations up to 6 mm. The disadvantage of the method is a high probability of relapse. This is due to the fact that the hernia is not fully removed but only decreased in size. Over time, it can return to normal size and squeeze nerves again, causing pain.
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COURSE OF SURGERY FOR HERNIATED DISC
Operations on the intervertebral hernia are performed under general anesthesia. The size of the cut on the skin depends on the technique of the operation. It can vary from 10-15 cm for discectomy to 1-2 cm for endoscopic microdiscectomy.
During the operation, the surgeon pushes the muscles and tissues that close the intervertebral disc.
Further, with the help of special tools and under the control of a microscope, a part of the diseased disc is truncated or completely removed.
Together with the disk, the surgeon can also remove fragments of bone tissue.
After this, if there is a need an implant is placed in place of the removed disk. Time of operation on the intervertebral hernia depends on the volume of intervention. With discectomy – it’s 1-2 hours, with microdiscectomy – 30-40 minutes.
AFTER THE OPERATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF INTERVERTEBRAL HERNIA
The length of rehabilitation after an operation to remove the intervertebral hernia depends on the type of surgical intervention. On average, the patient begins to sit and walk the next day. On day 3 after the procedure, a person is discharged from the hospital.
The success of surgical treatment of the intervertebral hernia is 90-95%.
This means that 9 out of 10 patients do not experience complications and relapses. Possible consequences of surgery for the treatment of the intervertebral hernia are: rupture of the spinal cord, bleeding, pain. As a rule, the wound heal in few days. At this time it is important to strictly follow the doctor’s instructions and limit the motor activity.
INTERVERTEBRAL HERNIA: POST-OPERATIVE REHABILITATION
Rehabilitation after surgery of the herniated disc lasts about 3 months. It includes:
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- Use of orthoses and special collars. Most often they are used after an operation to treat the intervertebral hernia of the cervical region. Orthoses are needed in order to fix the vertebrae and prevent them from shifting. The term of wearing the design is determined by the doctor, on average – it is 1-3 days;
- Restriction of sudden movements. After the operation, it is necessary to move slowly and smoothly, it is forbidden to lift weights over 3 kg;
- Exercise therapy. It is best to do such exercises in a clinic under the supervision of a doctor;
- Physiotherapy. This item includes massages, water exercises. They help increase the plasticity of the operated part of the spine and give the patient quick return to normal life.
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WHERE TO DO THE OPERATION FOR TREATMENT OF HERNIATED SPINAL DISC?
For the treatment of intervertebral hernia, MedicGlobus specialists recommend clinics of Israel, Germany and Turkey.
TESTIMONIAL ABOUT THE OPERATION FOR INTERVERTEBRAL HERNIA
“Such operation is not complicated for the patient (only if morally). For me it was done under general anesthesia. Few hours & I’m conscious again. The scar remains tiny (about 2-4 cm). The most difficult to observe was the regime after: the mandatory wearing of the corset (except for sleep and horizontal rest) for 1.5 months. You can not sit. Observe the “straight back” position, avoid full bending of the spine. And of course, after making an operation, you must understand that this is not the end, but only the beginning. Need to keep healthy life style. “
For detailed information about the operations for spinal disc hernia — get a free consultation from experts of MedicGlobus.
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