A 13-year-old boy in Son La was rushed to the hospital after clearing rice fields due to a common cause among Vietnamese people.

Social Affairs - This child patient is a rare case of severe disc herniation at such a young age; without timely treatment, it could lead to paralysis.

According to information from the Post Office Hospital, doctors recently admitted and treated a 13-year-old patient, Dinh Quang H., from Son La. The patient was admitted with severe back pain, numbness in both legs, and was unable to move or exercise independently; all daily activities depended on family members.

Previously, the patient had helped their parents pack 40-50 kg of rice into sacks, then carried the sacks onto an ox cart for storage. A few days later, they experienced back pain accompanied by numbness in their left leg. The sudden back pain worsened progressively. The patient took painkillers and self-treated at home without success, so their family took them to a nearby hospital for examination.

According to the diagnosis of the doctor at the district hospital, the patient was a rare case of severe herniated disc, which, if not treated promptly, could lead to paralysis. Given this situation, the family decided to transfer their child to the Post Office Hospital for easier examination and treatment.

Dr. Dam Quang Trung – Head of the Pain Treatment Unit in the Department of General Surgery – stated: After assessing the degree of stiffness in the patient's back to determine the cause of pain, as well as conducting neurological function tests to evaluate the patient's relaxation level, muscle tone, mobility, and sensory perception.

Based on the images of the affected area on X-ray and MRI scans of the lumbar spine, the doctor diagnosed the patient with acute back pain due to lumbar disc herniation . The child only needed treatment for lumbar pain with radiofrequency ablation and did not require surgery.

Just about an hour after the minor surgery, patient D.QH was able to sit up, his back pain subsided, his legs were less numb, and he could walk well.

According to the doctor, radiofrequency pain treatment not only relieves pain and promotes rapid recovery, but also shortens hospital stays and significantly reduces treatment costs.

Causes of herniated discs: Patients need to be aware of these.

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According to the doctor, lumbar disc herniation is a condition where the discs between the vertebrae shift out of their normal position, putting pressure on the surrounding nerves, compressing them, leading to pain, numbness, and even inability to move. This condition commonly occurs in people aged 30-60 years old.

The main cause of herniated discs is largely due to the aging process, which leads to dehydration, degeneration, hardening, and increased vulnerability of the discs and spine as people age.

Another cause is overwork, excessive physical activity, or improper posture leading to disc and spinal damage. The case of patient Dinh Quang H. is quite rare and unusual because of his young age and the fact that he contracted the disease due to carrying excessively heavy loads.

The number of people suffering from herniated discs is very high, with varying degrees of severity. In severe cases, if left untreated, the condition can lead to dangerous complications.

Ways to prevent herniated disc disease

To prevent and stop disc herniation, we need to:

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- Regular exercise helps strengthen joints and prevent herniated discs in young people.

- Maintain a healthy body weight.

- Sit with a straight back while working, and after about 1-2 hours, stand up and walk around, do a few light exercises, and avoid sitting still without moving.

- Avoid carrying or lifting objects beyond your capacity.

- A scientifically balanced diet supplemented with calcium, vitamin D, glucosamine, and chondroitin nourishes healthy joints.

- Avoid smoking, do not use stimulants, and limit alcohol consumption.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/be-13-tuoi-o-son-la-nhap-vien-gap-after-receiving-acupuncture-helps-parents-doctors-explain-the-cause-of-vietnamese-people-being-affected-172241114065320804.htm