Spinal Disc Herniation Treatment (Back and Body Pain Relief)

· Those in Mexicali, Mexico for 5 days or more.
· Those with a herniated disc that affect comfort in daily activities.
· Those with pain in the buttocks, thigh and calf due to herniated disc.
· Those whose pain shoot into the arms or legs when coughing or sneezing.
· Those with muscle weakness that can cause stumbling or affect ability to lift items.

A spinal disc has soft cushions (discs) that sit between the vertebrae that stack together to make the spine. A herniated disc is a condition where one of the rubbery cushions pushes out through a tear in the annulus. It can occur in any part of the spine which irritates a nearby nerve, causing pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. There are some treatment options and usually, this condition would be treated with non-surgical approaches first. If those treatments do not succeed in alleviating pain, then surgery would be an option to relieve the problem.

These types of surgery can be used to treat herniated disc, depending on your condition:

· Laminotomy/laminectomy: An opening is made in the vertebral arch (lamina) to relieve pressure. If necessary, the lamina can be removed.

· Discectomy/microdiscectomy: A common surgery for herniated disc in the lumbar region. In this procedure, the portion of the disc that causes pain is removed, or in some cases, the entire disc is removed.

· Artificial disc surgery: A procedure that replaces the damaged disc with an artificial disc made from plastic and metal.

· Spinal fusion: In this procedure, 2 or more vertebrae are permanently fused together. This will permanently immobilize that portion of the spine.

The type of surgery suitable for your will have to be determined by your attending physician, taking into account your condition, health status as well as other information. In some cases, a combination of different types of surgeries may be recommended. After treatment, you may need to spend a few days in the hospital or recover at your hotel.

<Advantages>
· Relieves pain
· Increases strength and ability in doing daily activities
· Safe procedure
· Low risk
· Improves comfort and quality of life

<Limitations>
· Complications associated with spinal treatments

· Tell the doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking.
· Stop smoking and taking unhealthy diets for 2 to 4 weeks before the procedure.
· List all allergies, including to local or general anesthesia.
· If you have worries about the major operation and your risks, please consult with the surgeon and nurses.

· Take medications as prescribed.
· During your recovery, light activity is good for you. But do not perform strenuous activities or lift heavy objects until the doctor says it’s okay to do so.
· Practice good posture to take care of your back. You may be required to undergo physical therapy to learn better posture and movement to prevent or alleviate pain.

Q1: When can I go back to work?
A1: After a back surgery, you may have to stay in the hospital for a few days because you need to be on a high dose of painkillers, and the wound needs to be redressed carefully to prevent infection. After hospitalization, please take leave from work for 4 to 6 weeks, or longer, depending on your doctor’s suggestions.

Q2: How long would I need to fully recover?
A2: Full recovery may take up to a year to return to full mobility. This is due to the large wound and damage to the muscle will take time to fully heal.

Q3: How can I prevent herniated disc from occurring?
A3: You should exercise to strengthen the trunk muscles that support the spine. Other than that, maintain good posture while standing, sitting and lifting objects. It’s also important to maintain a healthy weight as excess weight puts more pressure on the spine and makes it more susceptible to herniation.

Q4: What are the risk factors for herniated disc?
A4: Advancing age is a common risk factor as the discs become less elastic as we get older. Males from the ages of 30 to 55 are more likely to develop herniated discs. Besides that, other risk factors include demanding occupations, sitting excessively, obesity and smoking.

[Clinic Name] Hospital de la Familia
[Location] Mexicali, Mexico
[Nearest Stations / Attractions] The hospital is about 17 mins drive from Mexicali International Airport and 10 mins drive from Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mexicali
[Clinic Opening Time] Monday to Sunday (24 hrs)