Cartilage treatment without surgery
When a herniated disc occurs, the individual must start receiving appropriate treatment immediately to prevent any serious complications in his condition, but do you know what are the most important methods that are followed in treatment? Follow the following article with us in order to have an appropriate amount of information on this topic.
Cartilage treatment without surgery
There is a method by which the cartilage is treated without the need for surgery in what is known as treatment through interventional radiology, and this is the latest method ever in treating cartilage and is directed into the human body through the use of various x-rays such as sound waves or CT scans, and this makes doctors able to completely dispense with the surgical opening.
In this treatment, we use a cartilage resizing device and apply a local anesthetic, then this is done by inserting a small catheter through a very precise hole and directed using interventional radiology, and through this, the cartilage nucleus is suctioned, and the interventional radiology method is used to treat many diseases such as herniated disc, lower back and neck pain.
What is the treatment of cartilage?
Many people wonder about how to get rid of cartilage? There are many ways in which cartilage can be treated, for example:
Conservative treatment
This is through some of the habits that the individual performs in order to relieve the severity of the pain he feels, and for example:
- Take a break for several days straight.
- Do not perform any activities that require lifting heavy weights or bending in wrong ways.
- Make sure to lie on the bed while standing or walking for very short periods to prevent stiffness in both muscles and joints.
- Apply cold and warm water compresses alternating between each of them, because this is very effective in reducing pain and symptoms associated with slipping.
Medication treatment
This depends on taking some pain relievers to relieve the symptoms that the individual feels, and some of them can be taken without the need to consult a doctor, and others require taking them under a doctor’s observation, and examples of each of them are:
- Paracetamol.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen or ibuprofen.
- Pregabalin.
- Gabapentin.
- Duloxetine.
- Cortisone injections that are injected directly into the cartilaginous discs.
- opioid drugs
- muscle relaxants
Natural therapy
Physiotherapy can contribute greatly to the treatment of a herniated disc completely in many cases, or it is sufficient to relieve the pain resulting from it in other cases, for example:
- Do some exercises that suit the patient’s condition and the severity of the injury.
- Wearing back support belts.
- Treatment through heat and ice.
- Follow stretching methods in treatment, as this contributes to relieving pressure on the nerves.
- Use of electrical impulses.
- Ultrasound treatment.
What should a herniated disc patient avoid?
- A herniated disc patient should avoid bending forward.
- Do not sit continuously for long periods.
- Be careful not to stay still continuously and move, even lightly, every 20 or 30 minutes.
Useful foods for herniated disc
There are many foods that a herniated disc patient should focus on, as they contribute greatly to rebuilding and strengthening cartilage, for example:
- Legumes: contain anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to being a source of protein that is involved in the formation of collagen, which is important for building cartilage, such as chickpeas, peanuts, and white and red beans.
- Green tea: Green tea contains catechins and polyphenols that work to protect and rebuild cartilage, in addition to being a healthy drink that helps relieve pain caused by arthritis.
- Pomegranate: It has many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in addition to it has many elements that are very useful in protecting cartilage.
- Nuts: As a result of containing a large percentage of magnesium, this helps in building cartilage and increasing its hardness. Magnesium can also be found in mackerel, tuna, and salmon.
Is cartilage a serious disease?
A herniated disc occurs as a result of a protrusion in the inner part of the vertebrae of the spine towards the outside, and this results in severe pain that may not be tolerated in many cases, and although the treatment of a herniated disc is possible, its danger lies in ignoring it and not receiving appropriate care from the beginning, as this causes:
- Nerve damage: Ignoring the treatment of a herniated disc causes permanent damage to the nerves, and this may occur in one or more nerves, which results in a feeling of pain and burning in the extremities.
- Cauda equina syndrome: This occurs as a result of the bundle of spinal nerves at the end of the spine being compressed, and this may not lead to death, but it results in weakness in the lower extremities or sometimes paralysis.
- Saddle anesthesia: This is a feeling of numbness in areas that touch the saddle, such as the inner thigh, the back of the legs, and the area around the rectum.
How do we preserve cartilage?
An individual can maintain the integrity of the cartilage and reduce its risk of injury by following the following tips:
- Avoid excessive weight gain.
- Be careful not to sit for long periods continuously.
- When standing or sitting, the body should be in a healthy and comfortable position.
- stop smoking.
- Not wearing high heels.
- Do stretching exercises from time to time, especially when sitting for long periods.
- Persistent exercise that focuses on strengthening the muscles of the abdomen, back, and legs.
What is responsible for the hardness of the cartilage?
Cartilage is known to be distinguished by the hardness of its intercellular substance which makes it resistant to tension and pressure, as the intercellular substance contains a compound called mucin cartilage, which is responsible for the hardness of cartilage.
Is a herniated disc a disability?
In some cases, a herniated disc may cause a disability for individuals, depending on the extent of the degree of slip that occurs between the two vertebrae, and in some cases, the surgical intervention may be unsuccessful and this is inferred by a feeling of general weakness in the muscles and the inability to control limbs, and this appears after the surgery, no less than six months have passed, and with the examinations carried out by the doctor, it is confirmed whether there is a disability or not.
How do you get rid of cartilage?
The cartilage is removed by following the doctor’s instructions well, whether he advises the patient to take medications or do physical therapy exercises, as adherence to these instructions accelerates the recovery of the individual and makes him able to return to practicing his life normally, and the treatment period may last up to 6 weeks, and if no improvement appears on the individual, surgical intervention may be the best solution.
What are the signs of recovery from a herniated disc?
The individual begins to realize that he is on the way to recovery from a herniated disc if the symptoms associated with it have begun to decrease in intensity and others may begin to disappear completely, and there are many signs that if they stop appearing, this indicates the patient’s recovery from the herniated disc, and for example
- Numbness and tingling affect both the feet and legs.
- Muscle spasms and spasms in the back and legs.
- Leg muscle weakness.
- Inability to control the knee and ankle.
- loss of bladder control