Herniated discs affect over 5 million people in Brazil

According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), more than 5 million Brazilians live with herniated discs, a condition cited as a leading cause of work leave in the country.

Herniated discs affect the intervertebral discs located between the vertebrae, which act as natural shock absorbers. When these discs wear down or rupture, they can compress nearby nerves, causing intense pain, tingling, and loss of strength.

A 2024 study by the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) published in the National Library of Medicine indicates that fewer than 10% of patients with lumbar disc herniation are candidates for surgery. Orthopedist and pain specialist Dr. Lúcio Gusmão notes that surgery is typically reserved for cases involving significant neurological impairment or when conservative treatments fail. Most patients can manage pain and recover movement through early diagnosis and healthy habits.