In Romania, lumbar diseases are one of the most common health problems. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Health, about 42% of Romanian employees suffer at least once a year due to back pain.
Definition: Herniated disc is a rheumatic disease, one of the most common and painful diseases of the spine. The intervertebral disc has an elastic capacity of absorption and tolerability of tensions. It consists of a fibrous ring that has a gelatinous substance inside.
During excessive tension, the ring fibers may rupture, and if repetitive strains occur, the disc may degenerate, causing osteoarthritis in the joints of the spine and lumbar blockage (feeling of “blocked back”). How is our body affected? The condition is very common, although before the disease mainly affected men between 25 and 60 years, in the last 10 years it affects women and even children. The onset is acute, with intense pain in the lumbar area when doing efforts, or a few hours after it, followed by limited mobility and sharp pain when the lumbar vertebrae are touched. The pain radiates to the lower limbs (legs) with the appearance of the so-called lumbosciatica. It can radiate to the anterior, lateral or posterior area of the thigh, depending on the affected nerve root, the patient having problems regaining mobility after the crisis.
Causes and risks: These ruptures of the intervertebral disc ring can occur during a sudden, wrong movement, following an intense physical effort without protecting the spine; but, most of the time, these ruptures appear as a consequence of sedentary lifestyle or maintaining an incorrect posture for a long time, shocks or stress.
Prevention:
The main risk factors are:
– too intense physical activity, at work, at home or in case of practicing a performance sport;
– obesity, because excessive weight presses on the spine;
– sedentary lifestyle: prolonged sitting on the chair harms the health of the spine;
– old age;
– intense vibrations.
Treatment
From the heated pad applied locally, to massage, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, radiotherapy, there are many treatments that can alleviate and even cure this disease.
Also very helpful is the immobilization of the spine and the removal of tension in the back area by wearing orthopedic corsets. These orthoses have a design that allows the adjustment of the degree of immobilization and can be used alone or together with a surgical, or non-invasive treatment.
However, the best treatment for disc herniation remains prevention. Through light, constant physical activities, but also proper rest and limiting the sitting inactive periods, we can avoid this condition.
A decisive factor is maintaining or correcting the posture, especially for those who are forced by the nature of their professional activity to sit down for more than 2-3 hours a day. As this is difficult to control, especially if poor posture is a habit, it is recommended to wear a corset to help maintain a correct position, so that the health of the spine is not affected.
Discover the recommended ORTOPEDICA medical devices for disc herniation HERE!
