Treatment of a hernia of the spine is strictly individual. The fact is that the methods of therapy will be selected, taking into account the characteristics of the patient, his general state of health, professional activity, age and so on.
As practice shows, the treatment of spinal hernia does not always require surgical intervention. Numbness, pain, weakness and other symptoms that are associated with this disorder will most often disappear six months after the exacerbation of the disease with proper therapy. But it is difficult to predict who will recover without surgery, and who will not. Therefore, at first, the doctor prescribes conservative treatment of hernia of the spine. Consider its main directions.
Non-surgical treatment of spinal hernia involves the use of a combination of the following methods and tools.
Firstly, painkillers are prescribed. These are, as a rule, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs that can reduce pain and relieve inflammation.
Secondly, the patient should use muscle relaxants that can eliminate cramping.
Thirdly, with very severe pain, narcotic drugs are needed.
Fourth, the patient is prescribed treatment in the form of alternating cold and hot compresses. Moreover, the sooner the patient begins to do them, the faster the inflammatory process is removed.
Fifth, physiotherapy has excellent restorative properties. Therefore, the patient is recommended to do massages, exercise therapy for stretching and strengthening the spinal muscles. Such events can increase the flexibility of the spinal trunk.
Sixth, with very severe pain, the patient is prescribed an epidural injection, which includes anti-inflammatory drugs.
In the event that such a treatment for a hernia of the spine does not bring results, and the patient continues to suffer severe pain and neurological symptoms, the doctor will recommend surgery. The operation can be carried out in different ways. In recent years, laser treatment of spinal hernia has become actively used.
During the operation, the surgeon will remove the intervertebral damaged disc, either in full or in part. This procedure is called discectomy. Usually this operation scares the patient. But in practice, the procedure is quite simple and safe. The surgeon makes small incisions and, with the help of special technologies and small video cameras, carries out all the manipulations.
Often there are situations when it is necessary to insert a transplant into the space formed after removal of the damaged disk (or part of it). It is a small piece of bone that is taken from the patient's hip. A graft is recommended to connect the vertebrae.
But there are situations when it is necessary to use special screws and rods.
After the operation, the patient will need a recovery period.
If the surgery was successful and without complications, then the patient will be able to get up on the same day. They write out in such cases in a day.
If the operation was more complicated, then the patient will remain in the hospital for several days.
In any case, the patient is prescribed pain medication, which is recommended to be taken within a few days after the procedure. In addition, he must observe bed rest, gradually increasing his level of activity, but at the same time, he must follow the instructions received from the doctor.
The patient will be able to return to his lifestyle quickly enough, but this will depend on his condition and the severity of the disease.
The recovery period is an important stage in this therapy. The success of the entire treatment will depend on the correct and careful observance of the recommendations.