Severe disc herniation: Early treatment to avoid permanent paralysis

(Dan Tri) - Severe disc herniation, nerve compression, accompanied by ruptured fibrous sac is a serious condition, causing pain, numbness and weakness in the legs, difficulty walking, and can lead to permanent paralysis if not treated promptly.

Mr. THThanh (HCMC) sent a question to the Neurosurgery - Spine section asking for a doctor's advice as follows: "I have a herniated disc at L4-L5, torn fibrous sac, diffuse protrusion with left paracentral herniation, severe compression of the left L5 nerve root, narrowing of the lower part of the left intervertebral foramen and mild narrowing of the central spinal canal. Is there any solution to completely treat my case?"

Below is the answer of Dr. Nguyen Hai Tam, Department of Neurosurgery - Spine, Nam Saigon International General Hospital .

This is a complicated case of lumbar disc injury (L4-L5), due to multiple factors compressing the nerve at the same time: torn fibrous sac, severe herniation, stenosis of the intervertebral foramen and mild stenosis of the central spinal canal. At this stage, medical treatment alone is often ineffective, because the nucleus pulposus has escaped and compressed the left L5 nerve root.

In such cases, your doctor may consider decompressive surgery to remove the herniated disc, relieve pressure on the nerve, and improve symptoms of pain and numbness.

Currently, endoscopic or microsurgery is the preferred choice due to its ability to intervene precisely, minimally invasively, with little post-operative pain and help patients recover quickly, usually being able to return to activity after 1-2 days.

If spinal instability is detected (rare at L4-L5 level), the doctor may combine additional spinal fixation surgery with screws or braces to ensure long-term stability.

Patients should visit and receive specialized treatment in Neurosurgery - Spine at a reputable medical facility. Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital is a specialized treatment facility with a team of experienced doctors, who have helped thousands of patients with severe disc herniation recover mobility, reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Dr. Nguyen Hai Tam, Department of Neurosurgery - Spine, South Saigon International General Hospital (Photo: BVCC).

Dr. Nguyen Hai Tam graduated as a General Practitioner from Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2014 and completed the Specialist I program in Neurosurgery at Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2019.

Dr. Tam has more than 10 years of experience in surgical treatment of spinal diseases such as herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis; craniocerebral pathology; nerve root block injection and treatment of chronic spinal pain with radiofrequency waves.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/thoat-vi-dia-dem-nang-dieu-tri-som-tranh-liet-vinh-vien-20251114000544367.htm