Common misconceptions about lumbar disc herniation! Here are the scientific facts

Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Specialist Assoc. Dr Ahmet Inanir told me.

Myth: Every lower back pain is a herniated disc

True: 95% of low back pain is not caused by a herniated disc.

Wrong: Pain must be absolute in people with a herniated disc

True: Although pain, numbness, tingling and loss of strength are considered essential for a hernia, the number of people with a hernia without any symptoms is quite high.

Myth: A herniated disc only occurs in people who lift heavily

True: Sitting all the time, working standing all the time, housework by bending over, sexual activity, wrong sports and even Pilates can cause hernias.

Myth: Sleeping on a hard floor is good for hernias

True: The choice of mattress based on the weight of the individual is important. Most often, orthopedic mattress comes to the fore.

Myth: Sitting rather than moving is preferable

True, sitting increases the load on the waist, it should not sit for more than 10-20 minutes without interruption. And you don’t have to stand all the time.

Myth: It is necessary to always wear a corset

True: The idea that “corsets weaken the muscles in the waist” is also wrong. To regard it as a plaster situation is a lack of knowledge. Recent publications have the idea “You can wear as many corsets as your doctor deems necessary”.

Myth: Weight is not harmful to the hernia patient.

True: Weight is a very important factor in spinal disorders. It prevents the hernia from healing. It contributes to the formation of new hernias.

Myth: Every lumbar disc herniation requires surgery

Fact: surgery for a hernia is a harmful procedure. However, in cases requiring mandatory surgery, we should ignore this harmful effect of the surgery. The real treatment is to put the hernia back in place. Otherwise, we will make sure that the patient will experience new problems in the coming months-years. Again, the decision to operate must be examined in detail and given by a committee decision.

Myth: Any doctor can treat a lumbar disc herniation!

That’s right, “Fear the wrong treatment, not the hernia,” or even fear being delayed. Be sure to choose doctors who are knowledgeable and experienced in this field. Otherwise, the treatment process will be complicated even by delay.

Wrong: I am a hernia patient, I continue my life with medication

True: Necessary precautions and an exercise program must be learned to shrink the hernia and a new lifestyle must be initiated. The person should not remain in the same position for a long time, sitting and standing times should be kept short. It should be a habit to use a pillow that supports the lumbar arch in the sitting chairs. Make sure you do things by squatting instead of leaning on the floor. Attention should be paid to the selection of orthopedic mattresses for sleeping. When you get out of bed, lie on your side and sit with your arms supported, then get up. In addition, if necessary, a diet program should be started in terms of weight control.

Wrong: Hernia surgery is very harmful

True: hernia surgery in itself is harmful to the body, but it should be done in absolutely necessary cases. It’s not an easy process to do. And it’s not good to make decisions easily.

Myth: Patients can return to work immediately after surgery.

True: Getting a patient back to work easily is a mistake. The disc height of the patients decreases after surgery. And he must be extremely careful. Otherwise, the foundation for hernia, degenerative disc development and calcification will be laid in the future.

Myth: The patient can drive or walk after surgery.

That’s right: the patient’s driving is a hernia inviter. His walking is also a hernia inviter.