CERVICAL/LUMBAR SPINE | Course of a slipped disc

CERVICAL/LUMBAR SPINE

In many ways, herniated discs in the cervical (cervical spine) and lumbar (lumbar) spine are very similar. In both cases, the first symptoms often appear very suddenly in the form of pain. If they remain untreated, they can intensify in the further course and further symptoms such as discomfort (tingling, “formication”) in the area of the respective extremities may occur.

Slipped discs in the area of the cervical spine are relatively rare. In contrast to them, the lumbar spine prolapse represents about 90 % of all herniated discs. Severe forms of the disease rarely occur in both sections of the spine.

Course after conservative treatment

When choosing the therapy for a herniated disc, the extent of the herniated disc, especially the extent of the discomfort caused by it, plays a role. However, between 80 and 90% of all herniated discs can be treated by purely conservative, i.e. non-surgical therapy. In this context, a sufficiently high level of pain therapy is of primary importance.

It should be noted that bed rest is usually not recommended, as long as the patient’s mobility is not too severely restricted. In the further course of the treatment, physiotherapy and back training bring good results. With the help of this treatment strategy, most herniated disks recede on their own.

How much time this ultimately takes depends on the individual, but above all on the extent of the prolapse and the discipline and initiative of the patient. As a rule, however, it is stated that the acute phase of a herniated disc is overcome after about four to six weeks with the help of the appropriate therapy. Pain in the back, arms or legs can nevertheless last longer. In some cases, it can take up to two years before the patient is completely free of symptoms.

Course after surgery of a herniated disc

Even though the number of surgeries for a herniated disc has increased rapidly in recent years and the success rate in the long term is around 80%, a surgical intervention for herniated discs should still be viewed critically and considered well in advance. Since the rate of complications is high, only severe neurological symptoms of a herniated disc are an indication for surgery. These include bladder and rectum paralysis with urinary and fecal incontinence, as well as muscle loss and paralysis.

Surgery should also be considered if in the course of conservative therapy attempts no sufficient success has been achieved, so that there is still unbearable pain. The development of symptoms after surgery for a herniated disc is difficult to assess and depends heavily on the experience of the treating surgeon. On the list of possible complications after a disc surgery is, for example, the frequent scarring, which can lead to entrapment of nerve roots or other structures. Severe infections or an incomplete closure of the spinal meninges with subsequent severe headaches are also possible complications. In addition, even despite successful surgery, there is often a recurrence of herniated discs.