Middle age is miserable because of herniated disc

'Many times when family and friends gather, I sit in one place, because just walking around makes me feel uncomfortable. I didn't think that I, who's not even 40 years old, would have such a severe disc herniation,' Ms. T. shared.

At 37 years old, an age when many people are still full of vitality to take care of their families and build their careers, Ms. NHT has had to deal with prolonged lower back pain. At first, it was just a dull ache in the back, but gradually, the pain became more and more intense, spreading down to both legs accompanied by numbness, making it difficult for her to walk. Despite using medication to control it, the condition not only did not improve but even recurred frequently, with increasing severity.

Back pain, numb legs… untold stories

"The constant pain in my back and legs makes it very difficult for me to do daily activities. Many times when my family and friends gather, I can only sit in one place, because just walking makes me feel uncomfortable. I didn't think that I, who am not yet 40 years old, would have such a severe herniated disc," Ms. T. shared.

It is thought that only the elderly suffer from this disease, but in reality, herniated discs are becoming increasingly younger. Ms. T. is just one of many young people in their 20s and 30s who have begun to experience back pain and leg numbness without realizing that these are signs of spinal disease. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health , up to 30% of the Vietnamese population suffers from herniated discs, many of whom are young people.

Herniated disc is showing a clear trend of becoming younger.

Photo: AI

"I work in an office, often sitting for long periods of time and bending over to use the phone. I never thought that these habits would silently harm my spine so much. It was only when the pain persisted and my health declined significantly that I started to go to the hospital," Ms. T. shared.

Accurate diagnosis, complete treatment of pain

Unable to bear the pain any longer, Ms. T. decided to go to Nam Saigon International General Hospital with the hope of being treated completely.

Here, after a thorough examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine, Master - Specialist Doctor 2 Do Anh Vu, Department of Neurosurgery - Spine, diagnosed Ms. T. with lumbar spine degeneration with herniated disc at L4-L5, central type. This herniated mass compresses the L5 nerve roots on both sides, causing severe pain radiating down the left leg for many months.

"When the doctor said I needed surgery, I was both confused and relieved... At least I knew exactly where the problem was and had a way to stop the pain," Ms. T. shared. Faced with obvious damage and rapidly declining health, Dr. Do Anh Vu prescribed endoscopic spinal surgery to remove the compressed disc, a modern, minimally invasive treatment.

"Laparoscopic surgery is increasingly being prioritized due to its advantages such as small incisions under 1 cm, reduced post-operative pain, less blood loss, limited risk of infection and helping patients recover quickly. However, this is a difficult technique, requiring doctors to have deep expertise and be supported by a modern equipment system to ensure maximum safety and effectiveness for patients," Dr. Vu added.

Under the magnified image of the modern endoscopy system, the doctors accurately determined the location of the lesion and carefully removed the compressed disc. The entire process was performed precisely and gently, helping to protect the surrounding organs and minimize the risk of postoperative complications for the patient.

After surgery, the pain in her lower back that used to keep her awake and unable to eat has almost completely disappeared.

Photo: AI

Initial recovery after endoscopic spine surgery

After only 2 days, Ms. T. was able to leave the hospital. The pain in her lower back that used to keep her awake and sleepless has now almost completely disappeared. Before leaving the hospital, she was given detailed instructions by the team of doctors at the Neurosurgery - Spine Department on nutrition, lifestyle, and rehabilitation exercises appropriate to her physical condition.

"If I had known that endoscopic spinal surgery was so safe and gentle, I would not have hesitated for so long," Ms. T. shared. She also hopes that her health will improve quickly, so that she can soon return to work, continue to take care of her family and enjoy life more fully.

Herniated disc is no longer an "old person's disease"

Unable to hide his emotions after the successful surgery, Dr. Anh Vu shared: "Herniated disc is no longer a disease of the elderly. In fact, at the hospital, the number of young people suffering from spinal degeneration and herniated disc is increasing - mostly due to a sedentary lifestyle, sitting in the wrong position or working too hard for a long time."

Dr. Vu recommends that young people should listen to their bodies and not ignore signs of back pain or numbness in the limbs, especially if the condition persists or tends to worsen. Early examination and timely detection will help the disease be treated more effectively, avoiding the condition becoming more serious and requiring surgery.

Ms. T's story is a reminder that spinal disease will spare no one, even young, busy people who seem to be in the healthiest stage of their lives.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tuoi-trung-nien-da-kho-so-vi-thoat-vi-dia-dem-18525060410002644.htm