Muscle aches and pains in various parts of the body are common symptoms found in people who sit and work in one place, and these symptoms are increasingly prevalent. Especially in the area of the intervertebral discs, which is one of the points where Thai people are facing quite serious problems. The cause comes from overuse of the body and incorrect posture, leading to muscle inflammation. If not treated properly and promptly, it may result in severe consequences, including disability.
Intervertebral discs are organs located between the vertebrae of the spine. They are tough and flexible, functioning to absorb shock and bear the body’s weight. If degeneration, rupture, bulging, or herniation occurs, it may compress the spinal nerves or nearby areas, causing pain symptoms.
The causes of nerve root compression from intervertebral disc disease, besides overuse and prolonged incorrect posture, include being overweight, sitting with improper posture while working, as well as accidents and spinal injuries.
Treatment for this condition has been developed by specialists in various ways, including medication, physical therapy, and many others. However, there is one method that currently cannot be definitively said to be the best, but after treatment, it is clearly effective in allowing patients to return to normal life. That is surgery for herniated intervertebral discs compressing the nerves. Nowadays, this method has been modernized and made more efficient. There are several surgical options, including minimally invasive surgery using a high-magnification microscope, or Microscopic Discectomy. In this method, the surgeon performs the disc surgery using a microscopic camera with high magnification, allowing clear visualization of the patient’s nervous system. This results in precise and highly effective treatment. The surgical incision is only about 2.5 centimeters in size. Additionally, there is Endoscopic Discectomy, where the surgeon makes an incision on the side of the patient’s body near the pain source, about 8 millimeters in size. Then, an endoscopic camera, which is cylindrical with a diameter of about 6 millimeters, is inserted through the incision to the pain source. The surgery is performed while viewing the image from the endoscopic camera on a monitor. This disc surgery method is very effective when combined with laser assistance. However, the laser must be a specific type used for intervertebral disc treatment only, as lasers emit high thermal energy. In laser-assisted surgery for herniated discs compressing nerves, the laser is directed at the degenerated and bulging disc pressing on the spinal nerve. The heat from the laser gradually dissolves the bulging disc, causing it to retract back into the vertebra. This method helps reduce surgical risks significantly.
Surgery for herniated intervertebral discs compressing nerves using the three methods mentioned above has been developed with modern treatment techniques and equipment, allowing patients to have shorter surgery times. Importantly, the procedures cause minimal pain because the incisions are smaller than those in the past. After surgery, patients can walk within 24 hours and recover quickly. Most importantly, after completing this treatment, patients have a chance to fully recover and return to their normal lives.
However, all these treatment approaches are much more effective when performed by a brain specialist surgeon because surgery on herniated intervertebral discs compressing nerves involves the nervous system connected to the brain. This is a critical point because any mistake could cause serious harm to the body, potentially leading to physical disability.
Although it is confirmed that this treatment gives patients a chance not to have the disease again and to return to normal life, patients should avoid frequently lifting heavy objects with improper posture, regularly exercise, and maintain a healthy weight. Working adults should avoid prolonged improper postures as it may harm the body. Importantly, if there is pain in areas previously affected by herniated discs compressing nerves or any symptoms indicating abnormal body conditions, it should not be ignored, and patients must seek detailed examination from a specialist immediately upon symptom onset.
Dr. Theerasak Phuenngam
Brain and Neurosurgery Specialist
Brain and Spine Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
