Spinal problems are very common in modern society. And the more civilized this society is and the higher in technical development, the more often they diagnose intervertebral disc diseases. This is due to the fact that high technology makes life easier for a person, doing hard physical work for him. At the same time, its physical activity is significantly reduced, which affects the condition of the spine and leads to intervertebral hernias. Today, there are many effective ways to treat this disease. But the most progressive and effective is laser removal of the intervertebral hernia. We will talk about him in the article. But first, a little explanation of what the disease itself is.
What is an intervertebral hernia?
The intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae throughout the spinal column. They are responsible for absorbing the load on the spine and ensuring its mobility. This intervertebral lining consists of a pulpous nucleus, which is a gelatinous substance, and a fibrous ring, consisting of dense tendons surrounding the nucleus. When leaning forward, the vertebrae of the front of the spine come closer, pushing the nucleus into the back of the vertebrae, but a strong ring does not allow it to squeeze out. A healthy disk can withstand this load, no consequences of this action occur.
Another thing is if the disk is weak, with degenerative changes. Then, when tilted, the core is strongly fed back and remains in a bulging state. This condition is called protrusion, it portends the appearance of a hernia. With repeated bending or lifting weights, individual fibers of the fibrous ring break, releasing the nucleus farther and, when it almost falls out of the intervertebral gap, an intervertebral hernia is observed. This is accompanied by severe pain, and if the nerve endings of the spinal nerve are affected, then these pains are very intense, they can be given to the arms, legs or ribs.
Insidiousness of the disease and its symptoms
An intervertebral hernia is considered a neglected case of osteochondrosis, and ignoring this problem can lead to difficulties in movement and even disability. The insidiousness of this disease is that as a result of narrowing of the spinal canal, inflammation of the lining of the spinal cord can occur. It is accompanied by incredible pain, with the first symptoms of the disease, adequate treatment should be immediately carried out.
Symptoms of an intervertebral hernia are: muscle spasm and stiffness of movements, severe pain, especially with movement or any physical activity, numbness of the lower extremities, burning and tingling. Treatment can be carried out medication and non-medication, and in especially complex cases, surgical treatment is indicated. At the present life stage, in cases where conservative treatment cannot bring relief, the modern surgical method is used - laser removal of the intervertebral hernia.
Laser method. Preparatory examinations
Thanks to the rapid development of modern technology, intervertebral hernia has become possible to treat quickly, efficiently and completely painlessly using a laser. This method eliminates any complications and guarantees a quick recovery of the patient. Nowadays, laser hernia removal is the most effective option for surgical treatment of damaged discs. The laser operation is carried out in a short period of time and does not require a long rehabilitation period.
Such a radical treatment method as laser removal of the intervertebral hernia is prescribed for those patients who cannot be helped by medication and other traditional treatments. Surgery is resorted to only in the most complex and advanced cases. If the patient is determined to perform laser hernia removal, the operation reviews indicate that the doctor is required to conduct a comprehensive examination. To do this, the following is carried out:
- blood and urine tests;
- MRI of the spine;
- blood test for sugar;
- ECG of the heart;
- consultation of the anesthetist and therapist.
Operation
How is the laser hernia surgery performed? It is carried out using modern equipment in the operating room. Local anesthesia is used to anesthetize the process, since such an operation involves only a small puncture of the skin with a laser needle, which does not give such pain as traditional surgical methods. In addition, after healing of the wound from a puncture, there are no scars or other signs of interference. For this reason, laser removal of a vertebral hernia is very successful in patients. After all, this method has a number of undoubted advantages.
What is this - a laser? This is polarized light produced by an electromagnetic generator in the optical range. Important parameters of exposure to living tissue are the length of the laser beam and the time of exposure. When laser hernia removal is performed, the protein is denatured and heated, coagulated and crushed, vaporized and photopolymerized. In addition, the laser still stimulates various biological processes, heals wounds and removes pain. Such an operation refers to minimally invasive methods, today it is widely used in medicine for the treatment of hernia.
An innovative method in which a hernia is removed by a laser is that a laser needle is inserted through a puncture in the skin into the intervertebral disc and a laser light guide is passed through the needle. After that, a metered energy flow is supplied through the laser fiber, which turns the liquid in the disk into steam, which significantly reduces the pressure between discs. Laser hernia removal performed in this way reduces pressure on the nerve roots and relieves pain.
Laser surgery methods
There are two methods of laser surgery:
- Vaporization is the evaporation of a portion of a bulging disc.
- Laser reconstruction - low-power laser irradiation, which ensures heating of the disc and stimulates the growth of cartilage padding.
Efficiency and popularity of surgery
The intervertebral hernia of the lumbar region is characterized by the appearance of acute and chronic pain in the spine due to prolapse of the disc. It is caused by lack of physical activity, monotonous sedentary activity, malnutrition, which triggers stagnant processes and disrupts blood circulation in the spinal column. Typically, the reasons for the ejection of the disk are improper weight lifting, overweight, overload of the lumbar spine, impaired posture, flat feet and curvature of the spinal column. To avoid injury to the vertebrae in the lumbar region, weight lifting should be done with emphasis on the leg and gluteal muscles. For prevention, it is necessary to do physical exercises in order to create a powerful back frame in this place.
But, if there are already indications for surgical correction of the pathology, then laser removal of a lumbar spine hernia is the best way to correct the situation. Damage to the lumbar region is the most common case in medical practice. It covers almost 80% of intervertebral pathologies, since the lower back is the most mobile part of the skeleton, which assumes the main physical load both when walking and running, and when lifting and carrying weights. The timely removal of a lumbar hernia with a laser allows you to restore the functions of the spine lost as a result of the disease and lead a normal life further.
Features indications for lumbar hernia removal
Since lumbar hernia, as a rule, is already severely neglected when seeking help, in most cases surgical intervention is required for treatment. In order for the patient to be prescribed laser treatment for lumbar hernia removal, the following problems are required:
- serious disorder of organs in the pelvic area with impaired urinary and fecal functions;
- strong muscle weakening of one of the limbs - monoparesis, with a violation of flexion / extensor functions and the difficulties of supporting the foot;
- sequestrating hernia with separation of the affected part of the pulpous yard from the intervertebral disk - there is a threat of blocking the blood supply to the spinal cord, as a result of which paralysis of the legs may occur;
- ineffective conservative treatment for more than three months;
- strong prolapse of the nucleus if the hernia is larger than 8 mm.
Features of indications for cervical hernia removal
No less important is the cervical spine. Since it is least fortified, it also performs important functions. A thin cervical shaft holds a rather large and heavy head, and also supplies oxygen to the brain. If the blood flow is disturbed, parts of the brain cease to function normally, as a result of which coordination of movements is disturbed, dizziness, loss of stability appear, the patient is tormented by severe headaches and markedly reduced memory. In severe cases, when severe limb numbness is felt, immediate surgical intervention is required. Cases where serious pathologies are observed and laser removal of a cervical hernia is necessary:
- large hernia sizes - more than 6 mm;
- hernia sequestration - an emergency;
- loss of muscle strength by the upper extremities (single or bilateral);
- stenosis in the spinal canal;
- a high degree of damage to the spinal roots;
- squeezing hernia of vessels and arteries in the neck, due to which there is an acute oxygen deficiency;
- ineffective treatment with traditional medication after 6-12 weeks.
Postoperative Recovery
The entire operation to remove a hernia with a laser takes about 20-30 minutes, and after 3-4 hours the operated patient can already move by himself, however, this must be done in a semi-rigid corset. In different medical institutions, patients are treated differently: in some they are sent to home mode, providing recommendations, in others they are kept up to five days in a hospital under the supervision of an attending physician and experienced staff. But be that as it may, in a couple of weeks the patient can return to normal. Only for some time he will have to limit his loads and undergo postoperative rehabilitation.
The first weeks of rehabilitation after laser surgery
According to different methods, the rehabilitation period lasts 3-4 weeks or 4-6 weeks, it all depends on the patient's age and state of health, as well as on the rehabilitation method used. During the first 12-14 days, the patient should spend more time in bed, devoting walking no more than 20-30 minutes a day for eating and sending natural necessities. Swelling of the tissues should pass in two weeks. The pains may intensify in a standing position, they will quench "Citramon" or "Spazmalgol." You need to monitor the temperature, it can stay at 37.5 degrees for two weeks. If the temperature rises, you need to urgently see a doctor to adjust the treatment. In the supine position, you can do without a corset, while moving a corset is required.
Month after surgery
A month later, the patient is already fully functional and can do his job, if it does not involve carrying weights, he can not lift more than three kilograms of weight. Physical procedures can be taken after two weeks from the day of surgery. Which ones, the doctor will prescribe. It may be magnetic laser therapy. Massage is allowed no earlier than a month later. Exercise therapy classes and sanatorium-resort rehabilitation are recommended, but this can be done two months after the operation.
Conclusion
As can be seen from the article, the intervertebral hernia is a very insidious disease, and the sooner you start its treatment, the higher the chance to do without surgery. Laser therapy successfully treats this pathology, but it is not cheap, and the rehabilitation period is long enough, so it is better to pay more attention to prevention, and also not to bring the body to extremes.