Radiculitis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Radiculitis, or, in other words, radicular syndrome, is one of the manifestations of osteochondrosis: degenerative changes occur in the intervertebral discs, which causes the fibrous ring to break and the formation of a hernia. It compresses one or more roots of the spinal cord, or it compresses the ligamentous apparatus of the spine. In consequence of the pinching of the roots, radiculitis occurs.
[Symptoms of the radiculitis
In most cases, it occurs lumbosacral and cervico-brachial radiculitis. The main signs that has radiculitis is a pain in the lower back that can give to the back of the foot, buttocks, to the knees or the shin. If you try to bend forward or sit down, straightening your legs, the pain will be much stronger. To reduce pain, the patient slightly flexes the leg. Along with pain there is tingling or numbness in the lower leg and fingers. In addition to the pain syndrome, there is a change in the patient's posture, the curvature of the spine.
Radiculitis, regardless of location, has similar signs: the appearance of rapid pain in the area of the affected roots, which increases when the patient moves, coughs or sneezes, the stiffness of the mobility of the spine; soreness in palpation of spinous processes of the vertebrae and paravertebral points; Increase or decrease of sensitivity; weakened muscles in the zone of radicular innervation.
Pain that accompanies radiculitis usually firing, bursting, increasing with raising of the foot, coughing, hypothermia. Radiculitis can recur, accompanied by a tension of nerves and roots, the presence of painful points and a violation of sensitivity. Lumbosacral radiculitis is characterized by the appearance of pain during the day, regardless of time, to increase with a change in the position of the trunk.
Who to contact?
Treatment of the radiculitis
If you have radiculitis, you must strictly observe bed rest. Analgesics are used to reduce pain. Before getting out of bed, you need to fix the waist of the patient with a special belt, in the prone position, you should remove it.
The blockade of novocaine, lidocaine and vitamin B12 in the painful points have a positive effect. At night, you can apply a compress of dimexide diluted with water, novocaine, analgin, vitamin B12 and hydrocortisone, on the waist.
Inside take indomethacin. To eliminate muscle tension, which accompany sciatica, it is advisable to take seduxen, diazepam. A relaxing massage of the back and area of the buttocks is also shown. Massage should be conducted by a professional, so as not to injure the patient with careless movements. Radiculitis can also be weakened with the help of acupuncture and physiotherapy using current, ultrasound, etc.
Radiculitis can be soothed with the help of heat on the waist region (heating pad, paraffin application), mud therapy is practiced, the use of salt-coniferous baths is practiced. For prevention is also recommended hardening of the body, limiting physical exertion, hypothermia, long walking.
Traction treatment, or spinal traction, positively affects the receptors of the damaged ligaments of the spine and muscles, relaxing them. This method is widely used during the rehabilitation period after you have practically cured sciatica and has the following effect: unloads the spine, increasing the space between the segments of the spine; reduces tension in muscles; lowers the pressure inside the disc, and also weakens the compression on the nerve roots.
Prevention
To prevent sciatica, it is recommended to perform exercises that strengthen the muscles of the back, go swimming, avoid overcooling, physical overload. The main task of physical exercises in the treatment of radiculitis is to help normalize the muscle tone of the back, increase the mobility of the spine, improve overall well-being and speed up the process of rehabilitation and recovery of labor activity. The complex of exercises is selected, proceeding from the symptoms of the disease, the general condition and the age characteristics of the patient.
Radiculitis - a fairly common disease of the peripheral nervous system, which is formed as a result of squeezing the roots of the spinal cord. Appointment of treatment and examination can only specialist. To determine the diagnosis of radiculitis as accurately as possible, the physician will first determine the muscular strength, differentiate the symptoms, the nature of the pain, their intensity, duration, determine if there is a sensitivity disorder, prescribe a radiography or other examination methods, after which a complex treatment will be prescribed.