Spinal disc damage – treatment

Damage to an intervertebral disc is most often a natural process. The disc consists of a soft core and a ring-shaped fibrous outer layer. Disc herniation is divided into protrusion, extrusion and sequestration, and it can result from acute trauma or overuse syndrome. Many inflammatory, metabolic and congenital developmental changes play a significant role in disc pathology. Most often, however, it is a complex process in which several factors interact. The cervical and lumbar spine are often affected by a gradual increase in symptomatic disc pathology during the working years; later, other changes in the spine follow, and the symptoms and their causes change.

Over time, a damaged disc often atrophies, so the symptoms subside spontaneously, but some patients develop chronic pain. Most patients recover on their own within a few months, sometimes sooner. Various unqualified people see their chance here and mislead patients who will agree to anything. Avoid manipulation and unproven treatments – first and foremost, see a specialist physiatrist. Surgery is necessary in the case of a sudden and progressive sensorimotor deficit, presenting as loss of bowel and bladder control, weakness in the limbs with tingling and pain, and reduced reflexes. The causes may also be malignant, traumatic or infectious. The development of chronic pain with severe loss of function requires complex treatment. However, most patients successfully relieve their pain with conservative methods such as analgesics and anxiolytics, cold or warm compresses and topical preparations. Early mobilisation and physiotherapy as part of rehabilitation medicine are essential.