Disc Problems / Back Surgery
Disc Problems / Back Surgery
What is the Intervertebral Disc?
The disc is a structure located between the spinal bones (vertebrae). Because it's found
between the vertebrae it's officially called the invertebral (inter-between, vertebral-the
vertebrae) disc.
The disc is made up of two parts: a tough fibrous outer ring (called the annular fibrosis) and the gel-like centre (the nucleas pulposis).
Functions
The intervertebral disc performs many functions. It separates the vertebrae and acts like a shock absorber between the bones. It helps give the spine its curves and also joins the vertebrae together. There are 23 discs in our spinal column. In fact, in the morning we are about a quarter inch to half inch taller than we were the night before because the discs lose fluid alter a day of standing and thin out a little, causing us to lose some height.
The Disc and Spinal Pain
Today researchers are in general agreement that disc lesions are the single most common
cause of lower back pain. What is the disc lesion?
Disc Protrusion and Prolapse
Surprisingly, the disc may start showing signs of wear and tear as early as age 15. Over the years the disc loses a little fluid and small cracks (lesions) begin to form in the outer walls. The nucleus pulposis begins to bulge and push the annular fibrosis out of shape. This is called a protrusion. If the part bulges out too much it may actually separate from the rest of the disc and become a disc
prolapse.
If the prolapsed disc goes into the spinal cord or puts extreme pressure on the nerves it may cause severe pain that could make sitting, standing, walking, lifting, urinating, defecating, sneezing, coughing and moving nearly impossible. In extreme cases numbness of the leg or foot or a loss of
muscular control may occur.
Slipped Disc
The term "slipped disc" is really a misnomer since the disc cannot slip - it is knitted into the vertebrae from both above and below. What sometimes do slip are the vertebrae, which if they do slip out of position may put pressure upon the disc and contribute to its damage. Most accurately called "slipped discs" would probably be more accurately called slipped vertebrae or disc prolapse.
Organic Disease
Disc degeneration often damages lumbar and sacral nerves of the lower spine. Because of
that various conditions in the pelvic area may occur. Among these are endometriosis, infections (bladder, vaginal, kidney), prostate problems, miscarriage, sterility, sexual impotence, problems of urinary retention, cystitis, menstrual cramps and constipation. It is not uncommon for an individual who has a chronic back problem to suffer from one or more of the above problems as well.
The Medical Approach to Treating Disc Problems
The medical approach to disc problems is often a combination of pain killer, muscle relaxants and physical therapy, which may involve traction, electrical stimulation and exercises. Sometimes a myelogram is performed to diagnose disc problems. This involves injecting dye into the spinal cord
and then X-raying the area to see if the dye is going into places it shouldn't - a sign of rupture or tearing of the disc. The problem with myelograms is that they have a large margin of error (30-40%). Their use is being abandoned by many specialists.
Back Surgery
If the medical treatments fail, then back surgery, usually performed by an orthopaedic
surgeon may be suggested. The surgery often performed is called a laminectomy. It can
involve the removal of the back of the vertebrae and the scraping away of the disc.
With no disc between them the vertebrae may fuse into a solid bone. In some procedures pieces of bone are scraped away from the hips and are applied to the exposed vertebrae.
How successful is orthopaedic surgery?
Following laminectomy, symptomatic improvements such as lessening of the pain is often short lived. After about six months to one year there isn't much difference between patients who had the surgery and another group that did not.
The Chiropractic Record
Chiropractic has an excellent record with disc sufferers, often saving then from the bleak prospect of surgery. Chiropractic care is also often effective at helping those who already have gone through orthopaedic surgery.
According to one study of 1.536 lumbar spinal problem patients who were under chiropractic care, 96.4% had a satisfactory result! Surgery was resorted to in only 3.4% of the patients. This study showed two things:-
Chiropractic care is extremely effective with spinal disc problems
Of those that had surgery, the delay in time while they explored chiropractic care did not cause them any harm
What if you've had surgery?
But what if a person has had spinal surgery, you ask? Yes, it is possible for a chiropractor to adjust someone's spinal column if they've had surgery.
Although the surgery may have permanently altered some of the spine, it is still not too late for chiropractic care. The chiropractor won't be able to undo the surgery, but can often help relieve the pain and may prevent the need for future operations.
Prevention
The best results of chiropractic care are the ones you never hear about - the health problems that we prevented from getting worse because of prompt action.
DrKusiar@city-chiropractic.com
City Chiropractic Clinic
40 Epworth Street,
Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire
ST4 2NR
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