Intervertebral hernia

Intervertebral hernia is a dangerous disease that is associated with a change in the normal position of the intervertebral discs.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

What causes a herniated disc?

There are many factors that provoke the appearance and development of intervertebral hernia: various injuries, crooked posture, physical overload of the spine, insufficient development of the muscular corset.

Intervertebral hernia occurs due to many reasons, the main ones being:

• Osteochondrosis, which is a consequence of damage to the tissues of the intervertebral discs;
• Improper metabolism;
• Scoliosis;
• Injuries;
• Hereditary predisposition;
• Intense stress on the back.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

A herniated disc occurs when the fibrous ring of the disc breaks due to the disc falling outside the spine. All this is accompanied by the following syndromes:

• Pain in the neck that may radiate to the arm;
• A feeling of pressure in the heart;
• Numbness and weakness of the limbs;
• Increased pressure;
• Dizziness;
• Pain in the lower back that goes down the leg;

The process of disc prolapse itself is characterized by sharp unexpected pain. Moreover, its characteristic feature is a special intensity in the first days. On the third day, the painful sensations subside, however, this does not mean that the intervertebral hernia has disappeared.

The most common complaints of people with intervertebral hernia are the following: back pain of a pulling, aching nature, which may be accompanied by a feeling of tingling or numbness in the buttocks and in the back or side of the leg, as well as in other parts of the body, depending on the location of the hernia. The pain increases with coughing, sneezing, and when the patient sits.

The intervertebral disc looks like a cartilaginous plate that is located between the vertebrae and performs a kind of supporting function, and also maintains the necessary distance between the vertebrae. When bending and turning the body sharply, when lifting weights, the vertebrae come closer together and put pressure on each other. At the same time, the load on the intervertebral disc increases significantly, which is why it begins to bulge and an intervertebral hernia is formed. If the hernia protrudes forward or to the side, this can disrupt the normal functioning of some organs, causing unbearable pain. If an intervertebral hernia appears in the lumbar region, the pain radiates to the leg, subsequently increasing, interfering with full movement.

An intervertebral hernia localized in the cervical region is characterized by the fact that the pain radiates to the arm, can be combined with a headache, and limits the mobility of the cervical region. An intervertebral hernia of the thoracic region has pain that radiates to the chest area, becomes more noticeable when inhaling or exhaling, and is often similar to heart pain. Such an intervertebral hernia occurs less often than others.

How is a herniated disc recognized?

Intervertebral disc herniation is diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging.

However, first the doctor will most likely try to collect as much information about you as possible, so you will have to answer questions about your lifestyle, work, whether there is a herniated disc in your relatives, as well as about your illnesses.

How is intervertebral disc herniation treated?

Before starting treatment procedures, you should undergo an examination in order to establish the most accurate diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment. Intervertebral hernia is treated mainly without surgery, but there are cases when surgical intervention is required. Surgery is usually performed if the hernia entails disruption of the internal organs or persistent numbness of the limbs.

If an intervertebral hernia occurs, before you contact a doctor or he arrives, you can use the following options for emergency care for the patient:

• Place it on a hard surface;
• Place a warm heating pad on the injured part of the body;
• Limit movement in the spine with a corset or bandage.

Intervertebral hernia can be treated with medications, this treatment is aimed at relieving pain. The most commonly used drugs are anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen or Diclofenac. Special gels and ointments may also be prescribed. The course of medication may vary. However, remember that all these drugs can cause side effects or even the development of other diseases, so they should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.

If the intervertebral hernia is in the early stages of development, non-drug treatment can be used, it is aimed at reducing the pain and symptoms of the hernia. The most common methods of such treatment are:

• Therapeutic massage;
• Reflexology;
• Physiotherapy;
• Using applicators.
• When used correctly, these methods give good results.

Manual therapy, as well as acupuncture, have a positive effect on the muscles and reduce the load on the intervertebral discs, but do not eliminate the cause of the disease. These procedures can bring relief to the patient only if carried out by an experienced specialist. Physiotherapy, including reflexology, massage procedures, spinal traction, has a general strengthening effect, as well as sessions of therapeutic gymnastics and swimming. Swimming is the best option for restoring the vertebral discs during the treatment of a hernia, since the load on the spine in water is significantly reduced, which has a beneficial effect on the muscle corset. When walking, it is always necessary to control the position of the posture - do not slouch, keep your head and back straight. It is also necessary to control your body weight, since excess weight puts additional stress on the spine. It is also necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, consume a sufficient amount of protein and vitamins. It is advisable to sleep on hard surfaces, for these purposes you can use an orthopedic mattress.

Of course, there are many folk methods of treating this disease. However, we advise you to consult a neurologist, since if the intervertebral hernia is treated incorrectly, it can lead to disability.

If the intervertebral hernia is in advanced cases, surgery is used. Surgical methods include hernia removal. Their danger is that the intervertebral hernia can return, since only its consequences are removed, while the root cause remains. However, sometimes this treatment is the only possible way to get rid of pain.

How is intervertebral disc herniation prevented?

Intervertebral hernia can be prevented by following simple rules: if you have to lift something heavy, you need to bend your legs slightly so that the load on the spine is evenly distributed, and you should also avoid overcooling and being in a draft.

Intervertebral hernia can be successfully treated if you contact a professional in time - an orthopedist, traumatologist, vertebrologist, which will also help prevent undesirable consequences of this disease. Non-surgical treatment of intervertebral hernia consists primarily in unloading the spine, neutralizing functional blockages, maintaining the tone of the muscle corset, which helps stop the progression of the disease, reduces pain and improves metabolism in the intervertebral disc.