According to a plethora of medical research and studies, a herniated disc surgery is not the only treatment for this disorder. There are various other treatments that individuals can be subjected including resorption, where the pain subsides by itself or via the aid of regularly exercising. It is recorded that approximately 50% of individuals suffering from herniated disc recover in a period of a month. On the same hand, 96% of individuals suffering from this ailment fully recover after six months, and only 10% require surgery to curb the symptoms of the ailment. The surgery also enables individuals perform their normal functions and movement.
However, before settling for a herniated disc surgery it is advisable to determine if there is the slightest possibility that an individual will heal with time. It is recommended to persevere through the pain until it subsides than to evade such consequences via surgery. This is because even though the surgery is clinically approved there is a high risk for development of a complication. The different surgical approaches will emanate varying results on different individuals. They may completely reduce the pain or further aggravate it. Moreover, it may take more than a year to recuperate from the surgery.
Therefore, herniated disc surgery is only recommended to individuals whose medical history shows that they suffer from a persistent leg pain for more than a month even after being subjected to non-surgical treatments. In addition, an individual that also suffers from loss of motion, general body weakness and abnormal sensitivity is a suitable candidate for the surgery. On the same hand, individuals that have gone through a computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and myelogram tests to produce results suggesting that they require to undergo surgery in order to fully recover are also potential candidates for the procedure.
In a nut shell, individuals liable to a herniated disc surgery should portray specific conditions with regards to their diagnostic tests, physical examinations and expected results of the ailment. The decision should also be determined by the possibility of using other treatment options and your response to non-surgical treatment. In addition, factors such as severity of the symptoms, age, impact of the symptoms to the normal functioning of an individual and the general health status of an individual play a crucial role in determining whether one should be subjected to surgery or nonsurgical treatments. For example, aged individuals stand a higher possibility of being subjected to surgery because of the risk for the rapid development of other spinal related diseases. Also, if the symptoms are too aggravating to the extent of totally inhibiting the ability of individuals to engage in their normal functions, then surgery should immediately be done. However, individuals that only emanate back-pain as a symptom are rarely subjected to surgery. This is because there is a high likelihood that the ailment the individual is suffering from may not be herniated disc related.
Currently, there are two herniated disc surgery procedures in use, traditional disc surgery and laser-assisted disc surgery procedures like the percutaneous endoscopic disectomy. The latter surgical procedure is the most preferred because it arises lower health related risks, entails the use of a small incision on the patient, portrays rapid recovery and there are high chances that the back or neck pain will completely be alleviated. With the traditional disc surgery, there is a high possibility for the development of stroke and heart attack from the general use of anesthesia. This may eventually lead to death. Moreover, individuals need to use hardware and spinal fusion so as to stabilize the spine after the removal of the affected spinal components. In addition, there is a high risk for development of a wide array of infections as well as bleeding to death. On the other hand, the extensive scar formation may lead to development of new neck and back pain as well as make individuals undergo a lengthy recovery time, which may be weeks or years. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the pain will completely subside.
By the way, a herniated disc disorder is a degeneration of the soft tissue (intervertebral disc) located between the vertebrae of the spin because of the daily wear and tear. As one ages, these discs become brittle due to the loss of their water content. With time or due to a traumatic accident to the spine, the outer wall may tear allowing the inner disc material to seep through to the spinal canal. When the material presses any nearby spinal nerve the herniated disc disorder occurs. This disorder is not dangerous in nature and can even occur unnoticed. However, it becomes problematic when the nucleus material compresses the spinal nerves. This results to development of tingling sensations, numbness, pain and weakness along the affected nerve (that is its entire course) mainly along the lumbar and cervical regions. Other than surgery, a herniated disc disorder can be treated via the prescription of pain relief medication, hot or cold therapy, physical therapy and acupuncture just to mention but a few.
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