I have a hernia. Can I exercise? According to the data of the World Health Organization, one out of every 4 people has to have bed rest until the age of thirties at least once in their life due to spinal pain (neck, back and waist). Half of those who suffer from spinal pain need medical treatment.
Every year, one million of 9 million people who do not respond to medical treatment all over the world need severe surgical treatments (absolute treatment-elimination of the cause), while the remaining eight million seek a solution to spinal pain by restricting their activity with conservative treatments.
This situation results in psychological destruction and unhappiness for those who live actively and make daily sports activities a lifestyle, and every year millions of people give up sports, that is, life.
I Have a Hernia. Can I Exercise?
Why is that?
Open surgical procedures are often performed with certain medical indications. No physician will apply an initiative that will not further improve the quality of life of his patient. If open surgery is useless, it recommends activity restriction instead. Benefit-harm ratio is always considered in treatment.
The problem is that the old physical activity cannot be guaranteed due to the damage to normal tissues while reaching the diseased area during surgical treatment. Therefore, terminal treatment with classical surgical interventions cannot be applied to the millions of active living people who suffer from paralysis and severe pain that cannot be treated, except perhaps the lucky one million patients.
In the last two decades, surgeons trying to reach the relevant segment of the spine without damaging the normal anatomical structures laid the foundations of minimally invasive surgery. Previously, they used a thin steel tube and their tools among dangerous anatomical structures.
Initially, the results were promising, but not very bright. However, with the development of endoscopic systems, this time they were able to project the area on the screen and enlarge it, and at the same time treat the affected tissues. Physicians who have been trained by authors such as Hijikata and Kambin over time have made it common to lift their inpatients all over the world by walking from the operating table without pain.
Why?
Minimally invasive treatment indication is centered on quality of life. Pain that requires bed rest more than three times a year requires treatment because the person may be out of work. Not being able to do sports or restricting daily activities is a reason for treatment, because health by definition; "it is a state of complete mental and physical well-being". There is no health without movement.
How?
Treatments are applied in sterile surgical settings (operating rooms). Appropriate equipment (endoscopic camera, endoscopic surgical instruments and fluoroscopy - simultaneous x-ray) support, trained spine surgeon should be available.
It is imperative that the person to be treated is compatible and not overly obese.
Because the intervention is performed under local anesthesia by percutaneous skin puncture through a 0.5-1 cm hole. The patient is fully awake, there is almost no blood loss, he can confirm that he has recovered during the surgery and terminate the procedure himself. It is possible to be discharged the same day or even sunbathe on the beach.
Driving for a short time and doing sports can be prevented. However, patients can immediately return to desk jobs. In addition to the low duration of hospitalization and low cost, making the person productive immediately is a great contribution to the country's economy.
Where?
Minimally invasive spine surgery was born in America and has developed to form academies in Asia and Europe. Among hundreds of physicians who have undergone systematic training today, successful Turkish physicians have also started to implement these initiatives in our country, especially in the last two years.
There are only specialized centers in the world for minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery. In the near future, the centers mentioned with finger in our country will be out of the ordinary.
Who?
This intervention is applied by spine surgeons who have applied and know the classical methods of spine surgery (Orthopedics and Neurosurgery specialists), who have completed their endoscopic surgery training and have proven that they can perform appropriate minimally invasive surgical techniques with certificates.
Do not forget;
Medical treatment and recommendations should be made to ensure a better quality, happier and healthier life. Otherwise it's useless. Do you have a hernia, have you been excluded from sports? Do not be afraid there is a cure.