Therapy
The freedom from pain or pain relief is so important because then strengthening exercises and physiotherapy can be started. A strong back musculature in the lumbar spine and the correction of incorrect posture, e.g. in a so-called back school, are the keys to healing a disc protrusion of the lumbar spine. In addition, massages by a trained physiotherapist can make a major contribution to the regression of symptoms.
Whatever plays a role in the treatment of intervertebral disc protrusion are heat treatments. Alternatively, one can resort to acupuncture. In particularly severe cases a supporting corset is prescribed, which must be worn 23 hours a day.
Overall, it can be said that over 90% of patients with disc protrusion of the lumbar spine can be healed or made pain-free by conservative measures. For the remaining 10%, an operation is considered, which puts the protruding disc in its original position. Even if the operation is often successful, a worsening of the symptoms after the operation can also occur.
In addition, there are the general risks of a surgical intervention or anesthesia, as well as the special complications of surgery on the spine. Therefore, conservative therapy should almost always be used to the fullest extent first. All in all, the prognosis of a disc protrusion of the lumbar spine is good.
Most patients will be free of symptoms again. It is important to strengthen the back preventively and to optimize posture. To prevent disc protrusions and herniated discs, strengthening the back muscles is absolutely necessary.
Certain sports, specific physiotherapy with special exercises and so-called “back schools” are part of the therapy for intervertebral disc problems. Sports to build up the back muscles are mainly jogging, swimming, cycling, gymnastics and dancing. Rather avoid impact sports such as golf and tennis or jumping and throwing disciplines in athletics.
For the lumbar spine, exercises that stabilize and build up the trunk muscles are helpful. For example, you can lie on your stomach, stretch all fours from you and try to lift your arms and legs from the ground for as long as possible. Do this exercise several times in a row with short breaks.
You can also lie on your back with your arms flat next to you. To do this, lift your legs and from there try to lift your pelvis off the floor and hold it as long as possible. All exercises can be arranged individually according to personal preferences. Even after a short time, you should feel which exercises put a particular strain on and train the trunk muscles. If the exercises are painful, do not perform them or consult your doctor or physiotherapist beforehand.
Transition to herniated disc
If the fibrous ring tears and the gelatinous core of the intervertebral disc emerges, this is called a herniated disc. It is a dreaded complication of disc protrusion. The components of the intervertebral disc press in the spinal canal on the nerves running there, mostly in the area of the lumbar spine.
Clinically, the herniated disc imposes stabbing, permanent pain, which is aggravated by movement. Characteristic is the so-called sciatic pain, which extends from the buttocks to the leg. With well-preserved mobility as well as moderate pain, the following applies: No bed rest, but an early commencement of everyday movements.
Here, too, the regular exercises already mentioned are recommended to strengthen the back muscles in case of disc protrusion. In the short term, pain-relieving medication to alleviate symptoms, such as ibuprofen, can be used. If other symptoms such as numbness, loss of movement, paralysis or disorders in the area of excretion occur, you should urgently consult a doctor! This is a serious complication of a herniated disc with loss of nerve fibres, which must be remedied by the fastest possible operation. 7
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