The disappearing disc herniation
by Dr. Max Widmer, Chiropractor
The statement, "you have a disc herniation", usually scares and upsets most patients. This is understandable, for such a diagnosis can cause temporary disablement, partial paralysis, may indicate an uncertain future and even the need for spinal surgery. But what happens to the disc herniations of people who are subjectively and objectively cured thanks to chiropractic treatment ?
A once painful disc herniation becomes silent
A disc herniation leads to pain which either responds to conservative or surgical measures.
My investigations and research stems from my private practice in the years 1981 to 1983 (Theme of the Month September 1997) which show that:
- wo out of seven patients with disc herniations must undergo surgery, and
- five out of seven patients with disc herniations are cured thanks to chiropractic treatment.
But what happens to the disc herniations of patients who are released from treatment free of pain?
Thirty years ago I asked myself this question for the first time and only found a partial answer back in 1986. Once again, the key was computer tomography, a technique which makes it possible to make discs and disc herniations visible. Based on this examination, the first information surfaced showing that some disc herniations clearly diagnosed in some patients years ago could no longer be found on the control computer tomographies several years later.
My initial reaction was disbelief. How, for example, could an approximately 9 mm large disc herniation - which was clearly bulging into the vertebral canal and causing the partial shifting of nerve tissue - simply disappear so suddenly. And even if this were imaginable, can the same thing happen to all types of disc herniations, and if not, then to which ones ? Finding a definite answer to this question would have meant sending each patient with such a previously diagnosed disc herniation for a repeat computer-tomographic examination. Obviously I refrained from doing this, both for reasons of costs and to protect my patients from excessive radiation. Instead I selected individual patients based on special criteria.
And indeed, it did not take very long for me to experience a big surprise: The first patient was a renowned member of the Swiss Olympic Judo Team who six years ago had been diagnosed with a very painful disc herniation via computer tomography. The same herniation was no longer visible on the repeat computer tomography.
In the meantime I have had additional patients who are also happy to belong to this group of "disappearing disc herniations". Unfortunately, this applies to only very few people, but to these patients it means a great deal. At the moment we can only speculate on the reasons which lead to the disappearance of such herniations. Apparently the portion of a disc which moves into the vertebral canal loses its ability to bind water over the years and possibly dissolves itself in the vertebral canal.
Below you will find several computer tomographic reports to document the above findings. Additional ones will follow in the future:
| Cervical Disc Herniation (disc herniation in the cervical spinal column)
Patient S.N. from S., age 50
Medical History: Patient came to me in 1989 for treatment of acute nerve pain in the left arm. Relapse end of 1997. No paralysis in arm nerves and inconspicuous reflex findings.
CT Diagnosis: 1997 (original wording)
Osteochondrosis and spondylosis C6/7 more pronounced than C5/6, spondyloarthrosis C3/4 and left C4/5, no proof of a disc herniation or focal protrusion (e.g. the left C5/6 disc herniation diagnosed in 1989 is no longer visible) ! |
| Lumbar Disc Herniation (disc herniation in the lumbar spinal column)
Patient S.C. from R., age 38
Medical History: Patient came to me in 1986 because of acute lumbago attacks. Computer tomography of lumbar spinal column made in the same year revealed an 8 mm large disc herniation L5/S1. Relapse experienced in June 1997.
CT Diagnosis: 1997 (original wording)
Discrete elevation of the right L3 root in the area of the intervertebral foramen through the protruding edge of the disc. Discrete diffuse protusion of mainly left L4/L5, and discrete diffuse protrusion of the L5/S1 (no sign of the L5/S1 disc herniation diagnosed in 1986 !), slight narrowing of the left intervertebral foramen L5/S1, ISG asymmetry.
Patient: M.S. from B., age 49
Medical History: Has suffered from backaches since 1975. An acute lumbago was first diagnosed in 1985. Severe relapse in 1988. Another relapse in 1994. Computer tomographic examinations in 1985, 1988 and 1995.
CT Diagnosis: 1994 (original wording - shortened)
Compared to the preliminary examinations in 1985 (mediolateral disc herniation L5/S1) and 1988 (large disc herniation L5/S1), no disc herniation in the L5/S1 can now be found ! The left luxated disc material probably resorbed spontaneously. Interesting course of events. |
| Conclusion: If you have a disc herniation, do not be afraid of becoming an invalid. Take the advice of your chiropractor and trust in his or her medical experience. Try to accept and live with the disc herniation with a smile and you will see that a positive attitude can make the situation easier to cope with. In addition, you will give your body the chance of healing itself, as this article shows. |
Dr. Max Widmer, Chiropractor
