At Vertebrology Department we use the latest advances in the field to treat vertebral column disorders with the focus on complex treatment of herniated disc – the most common problem of vertebral column. 

The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small, spongy discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. But when a disc is damaged, it may bulge or break open. This is called a herniated disc. It may also be called a ruptured disc.

You can have a herniated disc in any part of your spine. But most herniated disc affects the lower back (lumbar spine). Some happen in the neck (cervical spine) and, more rarely, in the upper back (thoracic spine).

What causes a herniated disc?

A herniated disc may be caused by:

• Wear and tear of the disc. As you age, your discs dry out and aren't as flexible;
• Injury to the spine. This may cause tiny tears or cracks in the hard outer layer of the disc. When this happens, the gel inside the disc can be forced out through the tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc. This causes the disc to bulge, break open, or break into pieces.

The symptoms of herniated disc may include pain, numbness and weakness in the area of the body where the nerve travels. A herniated disc in the lower back can cause pain and numbness in the buttock and down the leg.

If a herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, you may have a backache or no pain at all.

If you have weakness or numbness in both legs, you need seek medical care right away.

Diagnostics

The full examination will include tests such as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or a CT (Computed tomography) scan to confirm a herniated disc or rule out other health problems.

These methods help visualize all tissues (bone, cartilage and soft tissues) in a layer-by-layer mode, permitting the physician to exactly establish the cause of pain and nerve dysfunction.

Non-surgical treatment

At EMC, we use only methods of treatment, that are recognized by European medicine. They include kinetic therapy, manual therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture i.e. non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-depressants and myorelaxants. Obviously, an effective pain relief is very important, so, if necessary, we use epidural glucocorticosteroid anesthesia.

If within 6 weeks following your treatment plan there is no improvement, we consider surgical treatment.

Surgery

A decision to have surgery should take into consideration results from diagnostic tests and physical examinations, your response to nonsurgical treatment, and discussions between you and your doctor about your options and expected results. Other factors include your age, overall health, the severity of symptoms.

Discectomy may be the most effective type of surgery for people who have tried nonsurgical treatment without success and who have severe, disabling pain.

Here, at the EMC this minimally invasive operation is performed by Jean-Michel Derlon, a professor of neurosurgery.

Recovery

Rehabilitation time after surgery is 3 to 4 days stay in hospital and 3 to 4 weeks until complete recovery.

The EMC offers its patients the comprehensive rehabilitation, which includes exercise therapy, massage, manual therapy and reflexotherapy.

After surgery the majority of patients, especially in case of timely presentation to physician, get rid of their back pain for good.