Acute herniated discs only need to be operated on in exceptional cases!
In our Second opinion consultation we suggest an alternative therapy in 8 out of 10 cases and can avoid surgery. The Munich back pain model according to Dr Gall helps to initiate a change of perspective and the search for gentle therapies.
According to the Bertelsmann Stiftung, there was an increase of 71 % in intervertebral disc operations in Germany between 2007 and 2015. In contrast, the frequency of herniated discs in the population as a whole remained the same. In fact, surgical interventions are only necessary in 1-3 % of all proven herniated discs.
Typical emergency symptoms of a slipped disc are signs of paralysis in the affected limb. If a herniated disc is detected on imaging, rapid surgery is essential. A disorder of bladder or rectal function in the form of incontinence or urinary and faecal retention must also be treated quickly by surgery.
If, after 12 weeks of adequate conservative therapy, there is no sufficient reduction in pain and the symptoms can be clearly attributed to a herniated disc, surgery can be considered. Disc surgery is therefore only advisable after conservative measures have been exhausted. We adhere to this recommendation of the medical associations and generally achieve the desired therapeutic goal with conservative methods.
Conservative procedures include Medication, Physiotherapy (physiotherapy) and Infiltrations. Particularly in patients with recurring back problems, it is also worth taking a look at stress factors in everyday life that lead to muscle tension and thus to further pain. The Munich Back Pain Model is the basis for illuminating these often obscure pain triggers.
If an operation is unavoidable, we can recommend both the procedure and the appropriate surgeon. We will arrange the necessary appointments and take care of post-operative aftercare.
Slipped discs are often not the cause of the pain at all
In case of doubt Diagnostic blockages. We use injections with pinpoint accuracy under X-ray control and interrupt the transmission of pain. This allows us to locate the nerves or other structures causing the pain.
Pain pacemaker for chronic back pain
If back pain persists for longer than 6 to 9 months, the pain can become independent or chronic: If initially there was "only" a disorder of the spinal anatomy, chronification means a vicious circle of pain, pain-intensifying relieving posture and psychological impairment. If this vicious circle is to be broken, diagnosis and treatment must include all components. This is where the Munich Back Pain Model comes in, bringing to light the psychosocial background of the disease process.
For many chronic pain patients operations have already been carried out. Although this has often provided short-term relief, there has been no long-term reduction in pain. A look at the statistics shows: In 30 % of disc surgery patients, there is no reduction in pain. And around 20 % of all patients whose spine has been fused complain of persistent or even increasing pain postoperatively. In the specialist literature, the term "failed back surgery syndrome" has become established for this: the syndrome of the back that has been operated on incorrectly. Instead of further standard operations, these patients need a viable alternative.
In addition to eliminating individual stress factors, a pain pacemaker can help here. The electrical suppression of the transmission of pain impulses in the spinal cord provides relief. In 70 % patients, we can reduce pain by half. Find out more about the Pain pacemaker.
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