Best treatment for lumbar disc herniation
Disease description:
Recently, I've been experiencing frequent lower back pain along with leg numbness. After visiting the hospital, I was diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation. I'd like to ask everyone, what is the best treatment approach for lumbar disc herniation like mine? Currently, I have difficulty bending over, and sometimes the pain is so severe that I can't sleep well at night—it's really distressing.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Commonly used treatment methods for lumbar disc herniation:
1. Lifestyle management: Includes bed rest, use of lumbar supports, and appropriate ambulation to reduce pressure on the lumbar intervertebral discs.
2. Physical therapy: Such as traction, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and massage can help relieve muscle tension and improve local blood circulation, thereby reducing pain.
3. Pharmacological treatment: Commonly used medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids to alleviate pain and inflammation. Muscle relaxants may be used if muscle spasms are present, and diuretics may be used if there is nerve edema.
4. Minimally invasive surgery: Patients with severe symptoms lasting a long time and who do not respond to conservative treatment may need to consider surgical intervention. Advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques have led to reduced surgical trauma and faster recovery. Common procedures include discectomy and foraminoplasty.
5. Interventional therapy: Interventional radiology techniques, such as intradiscal injection under discography guidance, can help relieve pain and are suitable for certain patients.
