Low back pain is a more common complaint than expected. Data abroad show that eight out of every 10 people have suffered back pain at least once. However, the rate of low back pain is higher in societies like ours where sports and exercise are not common.
Lumbar hernia is only one of the causes of low back pain. Various causes such as adverse movements that will strain the waist and muscle spasm due to cold, stress, spondylolisthesis, arthritis in the lumbar spine, rheumatic diseases, infections and tumors of the spine and vertebral fractures can cause low back pain.
Our backbone can functionally be compared to columns in a building. In other words, just as the bearing columns carry the load on the building, our spine carries the load of our body. The difference is that our spine is not one piece and consists of 33 vertebrae. There is a disc cushion between both vertebrae. Disc pads absorb the load on the one hand, and on the other hand, they allow us to bend in different directions. However, from the middle ages, problems occur in this system with overloading and the cartilaginous piece in the disc pad may come out (herniated). When the jelly-like cartilage goes out and compresses the nerves, we call it a herniated disc.
All activities that increase the pressure in the intervertebral disc space prepare the ground for the pillow to come out and herniation. Heavy lifting is the most important cause of herniated disc. In addition, falls, traffic accidents, adverse movements, long and uncomfortable travel, sports such as tennis, wrestling, and weightlifting can also cause herniated disc. Sometimes, in individuals with long-term back pain, herniated disc may occur after sneezing, straining or even laughing.
The main symptom of lumbar hernia is low back and leg pain. Complaints usually start with low back pain. Low back pain recurs from time to time. However, by following a heavy lifting or a difficult movement, lower back pain becomes aggravated and within days the pain spreads to the hip and leg. The pain is usually on the back of the leg and spreads from the hip to the heel and even to the fingers. Many patients may develop foot numbness and loss of strength.
Men who work in heavy work and women who do heavy work at home are more at risk of herniated disc. Apart from this, individuals with poor musculature, overweight and belly, occupational groups such as secretaries, bankers and teachers are at risk of lumbar hernia.
Lumbar hernia may occur at any age. However, it usually occurs in the 30s when sedentary life starts and sports are not practiced.
At the beginning of the lumbar hernia, there is only waist and leg pain, as the hernia grows and the pressure on the nerves increases, the signs of pressure on the nerves become more pronounced. In this case, foot numbness and loss of strength occur. This situation causes difficulties in walking. In very large hernias, it can cause serious problems such as loss of strength and paralysis and urinary and defecation incontinence.
During pregnancy, while the flexibility of the body increases due to hormonal changes on the one hand, on the other hand, the burden on the body increases, so there is an extra load on the waist. In addition, improper posture and sitting due to being loaded causes strain on the back muscles. Especially in patients with herniated disc, there may be an increase in hernia. However, this rarely causes serious problems.
It is not. Many diseases, especially inflammations, tumors affecting the spine, problems of the facet joints in the waist and hip joint problems can cause low back pain. In some of these diseases, leg pain may also occur, just like herniated disc. Therefore, symptoms can be confused.
Since low back pain has more than one cause, it can be included in many different specialties. However, it is very important to evaluate the lumbar hernia in a healthy way and to distinguish it from other situations that mimic this situation. Delays and mistakes in diagnosis sometimes cause serious problems and losses. Therefore, since a careful neurological examination is mandatory in the first evaluation, it is beneficial to see the patients by a neurosurgeon. Collaboration with other branches to organize the medical or physical treatment of the patient in patients who do not require surgery.