When is a herniated lumbar discNeed surgery?
In the case of lumbar disc herniation, about 90% of patients do not require surgery! To what extent is lumbar disc herniation progressing, and it is no longer recommended to continue to be conservative**, but to require surgery?
Conservative treatment of lumbar disc herniation is preferred, so surgery is usually not recommended for first-time patients unless they are already ill at the time of presentation.
When may a conservative** patient need surgery?
The first case: patients with unsatisfactory conservative ** results!
If a patient with lumbar disc herniation is systematically conservative for 6 to 12 weeks, the symptoms are recurrent, the symptoms are aggravated, and the symptoms are persistently unrelieved, it may be difficult to control the condition at this time. Spine surgeons generally recommend considering surgery!
The second situation: the disease affects normal work and life!
After lumbar disc herniation compresses the nerve root corresponding to the herniated segment, our body will have symptoms of low back and leg pain. If the low back and leg pain is severe, especially when there is severe sciatica, many patients are unable to work and live normally, at this time, in order to improve our quality of life, it is recommended to have surgery and return to normal life as soon as possible!
Third condition: cauda equina nerve symptoms or decreased muscle strength.
When lumbar disc herniation affects the cauda equina nerve, our body will have urinary and urinary dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, etc. If the effect of a herniated disc on the cauda equina nerve is left unchecked, it may be difficult to improve in the future. Cauda equina nerve dysfunction is one of the most serious complications of lumbar disc herniation and one of the clinical symptoms for which surgery is definitely recommended!
Decreased muscle strength is also an absolute indication for surgery for lumbar disc herniation!
Patients with lumbar disc herniation have decreased muscle strength, indicating that the nerve compression has been very serious, and if the nerve is not decompressed in time, it may be difficult to walk normally, or even unable to walk. Moreover, the damage that occurs after nerve compression is difficult to recover naturally! Therefore, surgery is also recommended for patients with lumbar disc herniation due to decreased muscle strength!
Most patients with lumbar disc herniation can effectively control their condition and symptoms through conservative**, but if it is the above three conditions, timely surgery should still be considered. After all, if patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation cannot intervene in time, it will affect the quality of life at least and leave a lifelong regret that is difficult to make up!