The slipped disc occurs as a result of a rupture in the disc between the vertebrae, especially the fifth and fourth vertebrae which are more prone to rupture in the lower back.
Slipped disc consists of three types: Thoracic slipped, cervical disc slippage and lumbar disc slippage, and that’s what we're going to explain today.
Firstly, we will get into details about causes which happen as the result of wrong daily practices like:
• Lack of exercise that weakens the back muscles and ligaments that reinforce the cartilage
• It may be caused by a genetic factor.
• Lifting up heavy objects in the wrong way, resulting in excessive pressure on the vertebrae.
• Exposure to accidents such as collisions, falling from a high position or a strong clash with something solid.
• Dry cartilage as a result of ageing.
• Obesity, which increases pressure on the vertebrae
• Sit and stand in wrong positions.
• Work for long periods and sit in front of computer screens.
The symptoms of slipped discs are common and can't easily be found out, so you should go to the doctor when you notice these as:
• Pain and numbness or tingling in the lower back or in your shoulders, arms, hands or feet.
• Pain in the leg and it intensifies as a result of wrong movements during sleep.
• Pain while walking generally, if a short distance or a long distance, which increases when doing any movement, and also you will feel back cramps.
• Muscle weakness and inability to move easily.
• Lack of control of the bladder, leading to problems with urination and defecation
• Pain when standing or sitting for long periods.
• Loss of sense of the anal area
• Pain in the buttocks or hips if the disc presses on the sciatic nerve (sciatica).
Detection:
Doctors perform tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans to determine your slippage level and the extent of cartilage slippage.
In most initial cases, doctors prefer not to interfere with surgery, and use the drug and follow physical therapy to alleviate pain and avoid exacerbation, as problems caused by lumbar disc slippage often begin to improve on their own within a few weeks.
However, if these symptoms do not subside within six weeks or if the sliding cartilage affects muscle function, your doctor may recommend surgery and remove the damaged or prominent part of the cartilage without removing the entire cartilage, that process called "micro cartilage removal".
So, here are some steps that you should follow to avoid the slippage:
• Follow a physical therapy program to strengthen the back and surrounding muscles or swim.
• Avoid lifting up heavy items
• Use cold water to relieve pain
• Do not avoid doing any physical activity while feeling pain, as this can lead to muscle weakness and stiff joints, instead of that try to remain as active as possible.
• Practice general and private exercise like walking 4 times a week for 30 minutes to an hour.
• Do the right positions to lift things up so, if you want to lift something up from the ground, you should bend your knees, not the back, to stay alright.
• You should sit in a straight back position because the wrong causes a number of health problems, not just a slippage.
• Follow a diet because being overweight increases the back and the body pain, as well as feeling tired from the least effort.
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