More than 50% of the world's population suffers from back pain caused by different stages of osteochondrosis. If you do not contact the doctor in a timely manner and do not begin adequate treatment, the condition of the spine, its flexibility and mobility, overall health will rapidly deteriorate. In severe cases, serious consequences occur.
What is protrusion of the spinal discs?
This pathological process is not considered an independent disease in medicine. The protrusion of intervertebral discs is an intermediate stage of osteochondrosis, preceded by the formation of a hernia. The cause of this condition is damage to the inner fibers of the fibrous ring. Its outer shell, which holds the gelatinous nucleus, remains intact, but the disk protrudes into the spinal canal. Without adequate therapy, the fibrous ring becomes inflamed and a hernia arises.
Dorsal protrusion of the disc - what is it?
This form of pathology is one of the most common diagnoses in people after the age of 30, especially with a sedentary lifestyle, and is considered one of the severe variants of osteochondrosis. Dorsal or posterior protrusion of the spinal discs - what is it: protrusion of the fibrous ring in the inner direction (from the abdomen to the back).
With this type of disease, the structures of the spinal cord are affected, which leads to dangerous and even irreversible violations of its functions. This protrusion of discs often provokes damage to nerve endings and roots. This is fraught with deterioration of sensitivity, acute pain syndrome, changes in motor abilities and other negative consequences.
Foramen protrusions
The described type of disease is considered one of the forms of dorsal lesion. Foraminar protrusion of the intervertebral disc is directed directly into the nerve root region. The protrusion can be observed throughout the entire span of the spinal canal or in its individual areas:
- Intraforaminalnoy protrusion - the disk of the spine protrudes toward the inner edge. The most unfavorable and dangerous type of pathology.
- Extra-granular protrusion - protrusion of the fibrous ring along the outer edge of the spinal canal. It is better to treat and less often accompanied by complications.
Circular protrusions of discs
This variant of the disease occurs in 85-90% of patients with a neuropathologist with the diagnosis of "osteochondrosis". Circular protrusion of the spinal discs - what is it: protrusion of the fibrous ring along the circumference. The diameter of the protruding sections is in the range of 3-12 mm. Circular protrusions of intervertebral discs differ in their uniformity. The difference between protrusion in different areas does not exceed 1 mm.
Diffusive protrusion of the disk
This is one of the most serious and dangerous in terms of complications of the forms of the pathological process. Diffuse protrusion is an uneven or multiple protrusion of the spine in different directions. It can affect both the nerve roots and the end, and the region of the spinal canal, which leads to irreversible consequences. Sometimes the presented type of disease ends in disability.
Median disc protrusion
The severity of the symptoms and the severity of the type of disease in question depends on the location of the protrusion. Median or central protrusion of the spinal discs - what is it: the prolapse of the pulpous nucleus, directed to the middle of the spinal canal. This form of pathology is rarely diagnosed, but accompanied by severe complications. Median protrusion significantly affects the functioning of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Without timely treatment, it can lead to a violation of their functions, disability.
Paramedian disc protrusion
The described type of exit of the fibrous ring beyond the bone tissue is less dangerous to the previous form of the disease. The paramedian protrusion of the nucleus of the spinal discs - what is it: protrusion of pulpous contents in the direction of the spinal canal with a deviation from the center. This type of pathological process is classified into 2 groups. There is a left- and right-sided paramedian protrusion, the latter species is more common because of anatomical features. Such prolapse is rarely diagnosed, in about 5% of cases of treatment to a vertebrologist or neurologist.
Ventral protrusion
The most common form of complication of osteochondrosis. Ventral or anterior protrusion of the spinal discs - what is it: protrusion of the fibrous ring in the direction from the back to the abdomen. This type of pathology often occurs asymptomatically and rarely requires treatment. Ventral protrusion of the intervertebral disc does not affect the spinal cord or nerve structures. It does not affect the functions of vital organs and is not susceptible to inflammatory processes.
Protrusion - symptoms
The clinical picture of the presented pathological state depends on the place of protrusion of the pulpous nucleus. Herniated and protrusion of the intervertebral disc have similar specific signs, so to clarify the differential diagnosis will have to go through a number of instrumental and hardware studies. If osteochondrosis is found in several areas, it is necessary to perform a full magnetic resonance scan of the back.
Protrusion of the intervertebral disc of the cervical
Against the backdrop of prolapse of the fibrous ring in the upper back, there is a pronounced pain syndrome in the following zones:
- hands to the hands;
- neck;
- the back of the head;
- shoulders;
- head;
- near the ear lobes.
If the protrusion of the cervical spine discs affects nerve endings or roots, it is accompanied by the following additional symptoms:
- tingling in the fingers;
- dizziness;
- periodic numbness of the upper limbs;
- fatigue;
- insomnia;
- accelerated fatigue.
Protrusion of the thoracic spine
The presence of a protruding pulposus nucleus in the center of the back also proceeds with intense pain in such zones;
- between the scapulae;
- thoracic department;
- intercostal space;
- shoulders and forearms;
- stomach.
Protrusion of the thoracic region - symptoms of a general nature:
- stiffness in movements;
- lack of flexibility of the spine;
- depression of sensitivity, numbness of the back;
- tingling in the chest (people often confuse it with heart pains);
- difficulty breathing;
- weakness of the muscles of the lateral and anterior press;
- fatigue, drowsiness;
- apathy;
- deterioration of appetite.
Lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion
The most pronounced symptoms are accompanied by prolapse in the lower region of the back. The protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar region manifests itself in the form of excruciating acute pain in the corresponding zone, which gives in the leg, more often the right one. In addition to this syndrome, there are signs of pathology:
- stiffness, numbness of the lower back;
- tingling in the soles of the feet and fingers;
- disturbances of urination processes;
- change in gait, lameness;
- increased unpleasant sensations with slopes, ascents and descents on the stairs, other physical exertion;
- constipation.
Protrusion of the spine discs - treatment
The therapy of damaged fibers of fibrous rings provides for an individually developed integrated approach. Decide how to treat the protrusion of the spinal discs in a particular situation, should an experienced neurologist or vertebrologist based on the results of differential diagnosis. With timely access to a specialist and selecting the right therapy in more than 90% of cases, it is possible to completely solve the described problem.
The main ways how to treat protrusion discs:
- taking medications;
- physiotherapy;
- hardware treatment;
- physical exercises.
Conservative treatment of pathology includes the use of the following groups of drugs:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Both systemic and local medicines - Movalis, Diklobene, Dolgit, Indomethacin, Ketonal, Nimesulid, Diclofenac and others are used. Such drugs provide relief of inflammatory processes and normalization of the functions of the pulpous core, prevent the formation of a herniated spine .
- Painkillers. This type of external and systemic drugs refers to the symptomatic treatment of protrusion discs. Effective names - Midokalm, Ketanov, Butadion, Solpadein, Pentalgin, Olfen and similar variants. If the pills, plasters, ointments and other medications do not help, blockades are prescribed, including intraosseous procedures. In this case, the anesthetic solution is injected into the plexus. Effective anesthetics are Novocain and Lidocaine, their synonyms and generics.
- Muscle relaxants. This group of medications is needed to relax the tense muscles surrounding the damaged areas of the spine, normalize the ligaments and tendons. Effective muscle relaxants - Catadolon retard, Baclosan, Sirdalud, Muscomed, Structum, Tizalud, Ditilin and others.
- Vitamins of group B. These remedies help restore trophism of tissues, intensify metabolic processes and contribute to the restoration of damaged fibers of the fibrous ring. Vitamins are prescribed primarily as injectable solutions, sometimes tablets are recommended - Neurovitan, Milgamma compositum, Neovitam, Angiovit, Gerimax, Kombilipen, Neuromultivitis, Trigamma and analogues.
Physiotherapy includes:
- massage;
- laser therapy;
- electrical stimulation;
- magnetic therapy ;
- warming up;
- shock-wave therapy.
To return the bulged disc to its place, to get rid of the compression of nerve roots and endings, the spinal traction or dry traction is often used. This procedure is performed only in certified medical centers on special equipment. Manipulation is carried out under the supervision of a qualified specialist.
The last stage of treatment of protrusion and restoration of mobility of the spine is physical exercises. Modern medical research has proved the effectiveness of yoga in the problem in question. It is important to train daily and constantly, beginning with the most simple asanas. To increase the complexity of exercises should be gradual, not allowing the appearance of painful sensations.