Diagnosis of herniated disc
First, the patient undergoes an X-ray to rule out other causes of pain. Additional imaging tests (CT, MRI) provide detailed information about the location and size of the hernia.
When a problematic disk is detected, a discography is performed. A dye is injected into the soft center of one or more discs to identify problem areas (cracks, bulges). A myelogram (a dye is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid and X-rayed) helps to detect areas of the spinal cord and nerves that have suffered due to a hernia.
Herniated disc treatment abroad
The treatment options for disc herniation are divided into medical, therapeutic and surgical. In addition to painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that relax spasmodic muscles are used. Physical therapy also helps to relax muscles and relieve pain. The doctor may recommend heat or cold therapy and ultrasound to improve blood flow.
Modern oxygen and ozone therapy is used abroad for the treatment of herniated discs. Concentrated gas is injected into the disc, which reduces its volume. Another percutaneous procedure, DiscoGel, is also available. When the hernia "contracts" a little, it stops pressing on the nerve roots, and the pain goes away.
Surgical treatment of herniated discs of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine
If medications do not cope with the symptoms, the patient is prescribed surgery. In most cases, only the protruding part of the disc is removed. Abroad, open surgery has long been replaced by minimally invasive laparoscopic discectomy. The operation is performed through a small hole in the abdomen. This eliminates the need to remove parts of the vertebrae or move the spinal nerves and brain to access the disc.
Sometimes it is necessary to delete the entire disk. In this case, for the stability of the spinal cord, metal supports (spinal fusion) or an artificial disk are installed in the spine. Modern prostheses completely repeat the physical properties of natural tissue, have a core and an annular shell. The new Mobi-C technology allows you to replace several discs of the cervical region at once and preserve both the lateral and vertical range of motion along with the rotation of the neck. In clinics abroad, all implants are installed using the Mazor robotic system through small incisions.
