When is surgery necessary | Disc protrusion of the lumbar spine

When is surgery necessary

Surgery is a very rare and often unpopular alternative therapy for disc protrusion. The disc protrusion of the lumbar spine can be successfully treated in most cases with a conservative therapy, which is followed in a targeted and disciplined manner to strengthen the back. However, even in the approximately 10% of patients who do not benefit from a conservative therapy, surgery is often not advisable.

Since, in contrast to a herniated disc, a prolapsed disc is not a tear of the intervertebral disc, the possibilities in an operation are very limited. Modern surgical procedures allow to push back and remove the disc tissue with only a small cannula. However, it turns out that the ratio of the risk of surgery and the benefit for the disc is very low.

Surgery is therefore almost never necessary in the case of disc protrusion of the lumbar spine. Disc protrusions are rarely treated surgically. In a good 9 out of 10 patients, the conservative treatment described above leads to an improvement of symptoms, often even to a freedom from symptoms.

Surgery is usually only considered if neurological failures such as paralysis occur, so that there is a risk of serious nerve damage. The benefit-risk factor of an operation should be well assessed. Above all, it should be remembered that an operation always involves various risks. For example, complications can arise during anaesthesia or wound healing. In some cases there may even be a worsening of the symptoms after surgery.

Sport with a disc protrusion of the lumbar spine

After the diagnosis of a herniated disc, many patients are faced with the question of whether and to what extent they can or should continue to do sports. It can be clearly stated that sport is indeed an important part of the treatment of disc protrusions. Sport is therefore strongly recommended for the treatment of disc protrusion, as the disease often develops as a result of inactivity, overweight and muscle weakness.

The primary goal of sports exercises should be to strengthen the back muscles without overloading the back. It is also important that there is no pain when doing sports, as this in turn can lead to incorrect strain. If there is a lot of pain in the beginning, you should start slowly with the sport build-up.

On the one hand, this can be done through specific strength and movement exercises, for example in a fitness studio. Sports also play a role in the disc protrusion of the lumbar spine. In order to strengthen the back and not to put unnecessary strain on it, some sports should be preferred to others.

Sports that train the trunk muscles, improve posture and coordination and are easy on the joints are highly recommended. These include endurance sports such as swimming (especially backstroke and crawling), hiking and table tennis. Strength training is another gentle and strength-promoting activity.

Sports that involve jumping must first be handled with care. These include skiing or basketball. However, since the limitations caused by the disc protrusion are very individual, sports such as dancing, cycling or ball sports can also be perceived as pleasant and helpful.