Vertebral hernia

One of the most common diseases that cause back pain is a herniated disc. A herniated disc is damage to the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc and displacement of part of the nucleus pulposus beyond its borders, resulting in compression of the spinal cord and blood vessels.

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What causes a herniated disc?

The main factor influencing the formation of a vertebral hernia is a disease such as osteochondrosis. It can occur both in adulthood and in youth. Insufficient physical activity, heavy physical exertion, physical inactivity, spinal injuries, curvature of posture, as well as excessive weight can become the causes that provoke this disease.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

An inflammatory process develops at the site of the protrusion, swelling, edema, back pain appear, the patient quickly gets tired, the pain becomes more severe during physical activity, a feeling of numbness and weakness in the muscles occurs. The pain can radiate to the leg, buttocks, have a shooting character; it increases when a person coughs or sneezes, lifts weights, sits or stands for a long time. At later stages, the symptoms significantly increase, the pain becomes unbearable.

Phases of development of a vertebral hernia

1. Prolapse is the first stage of disc damage, in which fibrous fibers begin to delaminate. With timely treatment, the prognosis for the outcome of the disease is positive.
2. Protrusion is a direct rupture of the fibrous ring.
3. Extrusion is the penetration of a hernial protrusion through the fibrous ring and longitudinal ligament that strengthens the spinal column.
4. Sequestration is the process of separation of a hernia section from surrounding tissues. It leads to severe paralysis and disruption of normal functioning of the pelvic organs.

Vertebral hernia and its types:

• Lumbar vertebral hernia. With this form of the disease, pain can radiate to the leg, hip area, be accompanied by numbness of the foot, pain in the groin, and impaired motor activity in the lumbar region.
• Herniated thoracic disc. This form is less common than others, can imitate heart pain, is stabbing in nature, increases with a sharp breath, body movements. Numbness is felt in the chest area, pain between the shoulder blades.
• Cervical vertebral hernia. This type of disease can cause dizziness, numbness of the upper limbs, sleep and memory impairment, and sudden changes in pressure. Pain is felt in the shoulder blade and shoulder.

How is a herniated disc recognized?

The main method used to detect a herniated disc is magnetic resonance imaging.

This examination method allows obtaining all the necessary information about the size of the hernia, the width of the spinal canal, inflammatory processes and associated diseases. For diagnostics, the method of computed tomography based on the use of X-ray radiation can also be used, but it often provides insufficient information about the affected segment.

How is a herniated disc treated?

Conservative treatment methods

• Spinal traction (horizontal or vertical) - eliminates pressure on nerve roots, reduces swelling of surrounding tissues, and reduces tension in muscles and tendons.
• Reflexotherapy - relieves pain, swelling, is a process of inserting special needles into bioactive points, has a sedative and regenerating effect.
• Hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) – relieves pain, swelling, normalizes blood pressure and general condition.
• Electrophoresis is a widely known physiotherapeutic method in which the body is simultaneously exposed to electric current and medications.
• Vacuum therapy (treatment with vacuum cups) is a method that helps to relieve pain quickly and painlessly, activates microcirculation of fluid in the body, and removes toxins from the body.
• Manual therapy – is aimed at normalizing the range of motion of intervertebral joints, increases the elasticity of the muscular and ligamentous apparatus by influencing both individual vertebrae and entire segments of the spine with hands. Such a procedure should only be performed by an experienced specialist, otherwise the body may be irreparably harmed. The interval between sessions can be from one to seven days.
• Magnetopuncture is the influence on bioactive points using a constant or alternating magnetic field.

It should be noted right away that a spinal hernia cannot be cured with medication; medications only have an auxiliary effect to alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

• Anti-inflammatory therapy (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – reduce pain, stiffness, swelling of joints, and help increase range of motion. The drugs in this group include movalis, revmoxicam, diclofenac, piroxicam, indomethacin, and ketoprofen.
• Applications with dimexide, novocaine and hydrocortisone to the affected area.
• Drugs that relieve muscle spasms - sirdalud, baclofen, myolastin.
• Vitamin therapy – intramuscular administration of vitamin B, as well as C and E, is prescribed to eliminate neurological problems caused by this disease, and improve tissue sensitivity.
• Chondroprotectors - with their help the regeneration process occurs faster and degeneration of cartilage tissue slows down, it is possible to use glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate. They are used mainly as a restorative treatment.

Surgical intervention for a herniated disc can be performed in the following cases: lack of positive results from conservative treatment, protrusion of the nucleus pulposus into the spinal canal or adhesion of nerve roots to the nucleus, injury to the spinal canal, extensive deformation of the spinal disc.

How is a herniated disc prevented?

In order to prevent vertebral hernia in the presence of spinal pathologies, vacuum procedures, acupuncture are indicated, therapeutic exercises, even distribution of physical activity, strengthening of the back muscles, and a healthy lifestyle are recommended.