According to data from the National Health and Medical Commission, as early as 2015, the number of lumbar spondylosis patients in China exceeded 200 million. In young people aged 20 to 35, the incidence of lumbar disc herniation is increasing.
Why do you get lumbar disc herniation at such a young age?
This is related to the structure of the lumbar intervertebral disc!
Why do young lumbar intervertebral discs “protrude”?
Because of the gravity of the earth, our spine We are “loading” all the time, and the existence of the lumbar intervertebral disc can support and buffer the pressure on the spine.
If you use an analogy to illustrate, the lumbar disc is a cushion at the junction of the spine, which reduces the friction between the spine when we bounce.
The structure of the lumbar intervertebral disc is like a pie, its invagination is the nucleus pulposus containing water, and the outer skin is the elastic annulus fibrosus.
The so-called lumbar disc herniation is actually a condition in which the rupture of the annulus fibrosus leads to the extravasation of the nucleus pulposus.
As for why young people are more likely to suffer, it is because the invaginated nucleus pulposus is too “filled” and contains abundant water. A little pressure can fill and burst the annulus fibrosus.
In the elderly, the nucleus pulposus is already dehydrated, and the annulus fibrosus is not easily squeezed.
The structure of lumbar intervertebral disc that is prone to herniation, coupled with unhealthy living habits, the incidence of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation is increasing among young people.
5 things to be afraid of lumbar discs
1.Long-term vibration
Car and tractor drivers have been in a bumpy state for a long time, resulting in greater pressure on the lumbar intervertebral disc. Long-term repeated pressure increases can accelerate the degeneration or herniation of the intervertebral disc.
2. Excessive weight bearing
When the waist is overloaded, it may lead to rupture of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. Heavy manual workers and weightlifters are high-risk groups for lumbar disc herniation.
3. Bad posture
Lying on a soft sofa to watch TV, bending over to lift heavy objects, leaning forward, walking with Erlang’s legs crossed, Poor posture, such as sitting still, will cause the spine and intervertebral discs to be subjected to external pressure beyond their capacity, causing cumulative damage to the lumbar intervertebral discs.
4. Obesity
Obesity makes the waist overloaded, and the lumbar spine and lumbar intervertebral disc will be squeezed more, accelerating its aging and wear, thereby More prone to lumbar disc herniation.
5. Intense exercise
Improper force, excessive force, and a violent collision of the body may cause a sudden disc herniation.
How to treat lumbar disc herniation?
The treatment plan for lumbar disc herniation is generally divided into three Types:
1. Conservative treatment
Conservative treatment is the first-line treatment for most patients with lumbar disc herniation.
①Rehabilitation: According to the doctor’s request to rest in bed, please follow the doctor’s order for rest time;
②Physical therapy: Continuous traction, Physiotherapy, massage, massage, etc.;
③Drug therapy: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticoids are commonly used to relieve pain and inflammation.
2.Surgical treatment
If conservative treatment fails within 6 weeks or the patient is severely ill, surgery can be considered. The effect is quicker and more immediate.
①Minimally invasive surgery: Mainly by means of ablation, release, thermal coagulation, etc., to remove the nucleus pulposus that protrudes and compresses the nerve.
②Open surgery: The last resort when minimally invasive is ineffective, not only will the protruding nucleus pulposus be removed, but also all the diseased intervertebral discs will be removed. The two bones that have lost the lumbar intervertebral disc should be fixed with steel nails and steel rods.
Whether it is conservative treatment or minimally invasive surgery, the damaged lumbar intervertebral disc is still in the body, which also means that if you are not careful, lumbar intervertebral disc herniation may recur again.
Therefore, some people suffering from lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, obviously not to the point of surgery, but want the doctor to cut down the root cause of low back pain.
I would like to remind you here:
After the “bad” intervertebral disc is removed by open surgery, this lumbar intervertebral disc will of course no longer have “protrusion” possibility of recurrence. However, after the operation, the force on the spine in the body will change, and the result is that the healthy lumbar disc that has “survived” in the body will be more prone to herniation in the future.
So patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation want to “eradicate” the pain, they need to adhere to the rehabilitation exercise of the lumbar back muscles for a long time, and improve the poor way of using the waist, in order to truly achieve the goal of “non-recurrence of protrusion”.