Bel Fıtığı – Lumbar Disc Herniation

Lumbar disc herniation is defined as the protrusion of the intervertebral disc to the intervertebral foramen and/or compressing the nerve root which passess through the foramen as a result of degenerative processes or trauma.

The most commonly seen and prominent sign is the back pain which radiates through the thigh and/or leg. Muscle weakness is an inevitable result of the continuous nerve damage which is seen in the innervating muscle groups. It can further progress and can end up with permanent muscle weakness.

After conservative treatment options such as pain medication and bed rest; second line treatment is physiotherapy or epidural steroid injections. Despite all these treatment options if the persisting pain presents, the final treatment option is surgery.

Most of the patients with lumbar disc herniation can be treated with conservative treatment modalities. My personal preference as an attending neurosurgeon who can perform both options is epidural steroid injections through the interlaminar approach, caudal approach or transforaminal approach.

It’s for sure that; first line treatment option for the patients with progressive muscle weakness is definetely surgery.