Excess Weight Triggers Hernia

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist Associate Professor Ahmet İnanır gave important information on the subject. Lumbar hernia is one of the most common health problems. Those who experience pressure on the spine, lift weights in an inappropriate position, are physically in heavy working conditions and are overweight have a high risk of catching a herniated disc. What is a herniated disc? What are the symptoms? Why does the risk of herniated disc increase with excess weight? What other negative effects does being overweight have on spinal health? How is lumbar hernia diagnosed? What is lumbar hernia Treatment?

What is a herniated disc? What are the symptoms?

The disc, which is between the vertebrae and acts as a suspension, may deteriorate or continue to deteriorate suddenly or gradually, and its outer layers may be punctured, the jelly part in the center of the disc may leak out, causing pressure or pressure on the nerve, causing symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and loss of strength. Very rarely, it can cause drop foot and urinary or stool incontinence that may require surgery.

Why does the risk of herniated disc increase with excess weight?

Discs, joints, ligaments and muscles that provide the flexibility of the spine are exposed to overload due to the pressure of excess weight and can be deformed and cause herniated disc. In addition, it can prepare the ground for waist slips by changing the center of gravity of the body. You can reduce the risk of herniated disc by losing excess weight.

What other negative effects does being overweight have on spinal health?

The disc between the vertebrae wears out prematurely due to excess weight and increases the rate of herniated disc. When taking something from the ground by leaning forward, the load on the waist increases 5-10 times according to the weight. Carrying an extra 50 kilograms of weight throughout the day causes chronic strain and deterioration of the discs, ligaments, muscles and joints between the lumbar vertebrae. In addition, even if a person weighing 50 kilograms bends down and picks up a pencil, at least 250 kg of extra load is placed on the waist. This clearly reveals the effect of excess weight on the formation of herniated disc. In addition, obesity increases the risk of canal narrowing and waist slippage.

How is lumbar hernia diagnosed?

The correct diagnosis can be made primarily with an examination by a Physical Therapy or Neurosurgeon specialist. Others are prone to error. If necessary, the diagnosis can be clarified by X-ray, MRI, CT and EMG.

What is the treatment?

The patient with lumbar hernia should be examined and treated by a specialist physician who has absolute knowledge of the subject. The most important issue is which treatment is required or not primarily required. There should be no neglected method. In this regard, it is very important to seek and find a doctor who is specialized in this subject who can make this decision correctly. The priority in treatment should be the education of the patient. The patient should be taught the correct posture, bending, load bearing, lying and sitting position. The vast majority of lumbar hernias heal without surgery or can become harmless. Even if the patient has progressive loss of strength in the waist, neck, legs, arms and hands, it is a mistake to recommend surgery immediately. If it does not respond to treatment and progresses despite treatment, surgical decision will be an appropriate attitude. It should be noted that applications targeting only pain are not approved. The treatment should aim to return the herniated part to its place. Surgery, on the other hand, aims to remove and discard the leaking part of the disc. Since neck surgeries are performed from the anterior part of the neck, it makes it inevitable to put a supplemental artificial system. Low back surgeries further weaken the basic load-bearing base of the spine. In this context, the back and neck patient should be handled with great care and a surgical approach should not be envisaged without a commission decision (multidisciplinary).