A herniated disc (or a slipped disc) is a medical condition in which a part of the disc between the vertebrae of the spine protrudes out and puts pressure on the nerve of the spinal cord. This causes a radiating pain.
A herniated disc (also known as a slipped disc or spinal disc herniation) is when a disc bulges out between the vertebrae of the spinal cord and presses against the spinal cord nerve. Spinal discs lose elasticity with age and can tear with sudden, awkward movements while carrying heavy loads (e.g. lifting heavy weights with a bent back) and then bulge out into the spinal canal. This compresses the spinal nerve root. The lumbar vertebrae are usually the ones affected (technically known at L5/S1, L4/L5)
Patients usually feel pain in the lumbar vertebrae after a clumsy movement. The pain then spreads to the buttocks, then the upper thigh, and can even radiate down the entire leg. In serious cases, patients may experience lack of sensation or even paralysis.
After having the herniated disc confirmed through special imaging (MRI, magnetic resonance imaging), pain medication and bed rest can help to reduce pain. Heat therapy and massage can also help to loosen up the muscles around the herniated disc. To prevent recurrence, behavioral training ("back school") is recommended. In more severe cases, where a sense of failure or even paralysis is present, surgery is required.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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