The number of young patients undergoing surgery at Tam Anh Hospital for diseases related to spinal degeneration in the past three months increased by more than 51% compared to the same period last year.
MSc. Vu Duc Thang, Spine Department, Center for Orthopedics, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said the above information on March 28.
"About 35% of Vietnamese people have degenerative spinal disease, of which 30% are aged 25-45," the doctor said, adding that spinal diseases tend to increase and rejuvenate, whereas in the past, they were more common in young people. 60-69.
Spondylosis is often accompanied by disc degeneration, spinal surface degeneration, lateral joint degeneration, vertebral spines, causing pain when moving, living or playing sports. This can be the cause of diseases such as disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, nerve and spinal cord damage, causing limb weakness.
Dr. Thang explained that the cause of the rejuvenating disease trend is due to a sedentary lifestyle or improper exercise in young people. This age group is often subjective and does not seek medical attention early until the disease is severe and affects mobility. Many cases refuse surgery, mainly due to fear of sequelae and paralysis later.
Nhu Thinh, 22 years old, was surprised to be diagnosed with a herniated disc. He has an intense gym habit. A few months ago, he had pain and numbness in his legs but did not go to the doctor until the pain became severe.
As for Ms. Linh, 28 years old, an office worker, overweight, sitting still increases pressure on the disc. Recently, she had a lot of back pain and went to the doctor to find out herniated discs and spinal spurs.
Doctor Thang examines a young patient with spinal degeneration. Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital
Currently, treatment methods for spinal degeneration are divided into two main groups: conservation and surgery. Mild and moderate cases are often treated with medication, physical therapy, etc. Surgery is indicated for seriously ill patients with ineffective conservative treatment, severe pain, and reduced mobility.
Mr. Thinh and Ms. Linh had minimally invasive spine surgery. The doctor opened a very small incision, inserted a dilator tube about 2 cm in diameter into the spine and removed the hernia. Microsurgical glasses help magnify the surgical site dozens of times, improving the accuracy of operations.
Tam Anh Hospital also applies robots in surgery, helping to warn if nerves are approaching, avoiding damage to surrounding structures. On the first day after surgery, the patient's pain and numbness were significantly reduced, he could walk easily and was discharged from the hospital.
Doctor Thang said that thanks to the development of equipment, techniques and professional capacity of doctors, the successful treatment rate is more than 90%, minimizing the risk of nerve damage and complications.
Doctors operated on Mr. Thinh for herniated disc. Image: Tam Anh General Hospital
The spine is an important part of the body, helping to bear force and keep the body upright and steady. The spine also contains elements such as the spinal cord and peripheral nerves that control the function of many other organs in the body. Spinal degeneration increases the risk of pain, leg weakness, and disability.
Dr. Thang recommends that patients should not be subjective and need to see a doctor early if they have back pain, pain spreading to the legs, numb legs, pain when changing positions... Patients undergoing spine surgery need to have it done promptly to prevent cell damage. Better nerve recovery. When complications such as leg weakness and urinary incontinence due to sphincter damage occur, recovery efficiency is reduced by 50%.
Spinal degeneration is a disease that can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle and correct posture. Young people should regularly exercise at a moderate intensity, maintain correct posture when needing to lift objects, stand up and walk every 30-45 minutes of sitting and working.
Phi Hong
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