Causes and symptoms of protrusions of the intervertebral discs

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spinal disc Protrusion – a pathological process, accompanied by protrusion of part of nucleus pulposus into the cavity of the spinal canal, but without losing the integrity of the structure. The condition is the initial stage in the formation of intervertebral hernia.

protrusion of the intervertebral disc

Local protrusion of nucleus pulposus (cross section)

Causes and types of protrusions of the intervertebral discs

To loss of the intervertebral disks lead the following reasons:

  • the Formation of the vertebral hump;
  • Weakness of the muscle corset back;
  • Frequent injuries to the spinal column;
  • Excessive load on the spine by physical exercises;
  • Degenerative-dystrophic processes (impaired blood flow and nutrient loads) of the spine.

depending on the location of the protrusion distinguished:

  1. Lateral (side).

Side herniated disc over time often leads to rupture of the annulus fibrosus and herniation. Must pass a certain period of time.

At the lateral location of the formation is often observed compression of the spinal cord. The process outcome is the appearance of severe pain in the lower back and lower extremities, limitation of motion. However, the frequency of occurrence of this disease is 10%, of which about 6% are posterolateral diverticulum.

  1. Central (median).

Central protrusion of intervertebral disc accompanied by median education (in the cavity of the spinal cord). However, clinical symptoms are observed only when large amounts of protrusion, so the disease is found more often in the later stages.

  1. Rear.

Back loss often leads to compression of the structures of the spinal cord. Therefore, it is always accompanied by pain syndromes. Compression of nerves leads to impaired motor sensitivity (cramps in the hands and feet), changes in the pelvic organs.

protrusion of the intervertebral disc

Side and rear protrusion

Symptoms of disc protrusion

In most cases, prolapse of intervertebral discs is not accompanied by severe clinical symptoms. Only after the irritation of nervous fibres of large size education appears pain. He shows an advanced stage of the process.

Clinical signs of pathology largely depend on the localization of education.

What is characterized by protrusion of the spinal disc in the cervical spine:

  • Pain radiating to the back of the neck, intercostal spaces, upper limb, neck;
  • Dizziness, headaches and loss of consciousness (in advanced pathology);
  • Weakening of muscle strength of hands, fingers cramping;
  • Loss of skin sensation and numbness in shoulder area.

Through the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae vertebral artery passes. She "feeds" the blood of 25% of the structures of the brain. When compression occurs anoxia. It prolonged existence leads to mental illness.

How to manifest a protrusion of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine:

  • Backache (severe pain with inability of motion in the lower back) occurs when lifting weights
  • Stiffness in the lower back;
  • Twitching and cramps in the calf area of the muscles (the inner thigh);
  • Sciatica appears when long-term existence of the disease (inflammatory changes)
  • Numbness and tingling in the toes.

It Should be noted that on the lumbar spine bear the maximum stress when walking and lifting weights. Consequently, any protrusion in this segment will rapidly progress without proper treatment.

disc Protrusion of the spine

What is characterized by protrusion of intervertebral disks in the thoracic region:

  • Pain in the middle back and intercostal space;
  • Weakness of the abdominal muscles;
  • Numbness and tingling in abdomen and chest
  • Pain and stiffness of the back.

A herniated disc without damage to the annulus fibrosus in thoracic pain only when running pathology. Thoracic spine differs from other low mobility of the vertebrae. Against this background, the probability of compression of the nerve endings in the intervertebral protrusion in this area is very low.

Since the protrusion in most cases there are no symptoms, it is detected in late stages when it turns into the intervertebral hernia. In such a situation, radically curing it is almost impossible, you can only eliminate the symptoms.

Diagnosis of degenerative process in the early stages

The Above signs of intervertebral disc protrusion inindividually can be observed in other diseases, but in aggregate, they likely help to diagnose the condition.

Local pain when palpating the axis of the spine due to the formation of microcracks in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral discs. The mechanism of their appearance in different parts of the spine is different, as the pressure on different segments is formed non-uniformly.

Usually in the lumbar of the process at initial stages is accompanied by a crack about 2/3 of the structure of the fibrous ring. The size of the protrusions is less than 1 mm. Over time the prolapse is increased, and the disk protrudes by 2-3 mm. This shift is not accompanied by constant pain, but when cornering the body a person may feel a slight tenderness.

On 3 stages of the disease (predgradie state) appear severe pain in the problem area. You may experience tingling and numbness in the lower extremities. Simultaneously are formed by dynamic and static disorders in the legs.

The Most accurate method of detecting protrusion and hernia of the intervertebral discs, is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is considered a safe method that gives comprehensive information about the nature of loss and about the width of the spinal canal in the study site.

If doctors can not perform an MRI to assess the state of the spinal column, you can use a CT scan. It is the x-ray method, so people will receive a significant dose of radiation.

Principles of pathology

When the protrusion of the vertebrae will turn into a hernia, completely cure the disease without surgery would be impossible. It is important to detect pathology in its early stages, to allow for conservative treatment. The main principle of therapy is to eliminate protrusions the reasons, for which there is a disease.

Medical methods should prevent further progression of protrusion of the hernia and eliminate the pain. Of symptomatic drugs doctors use anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors (funds for strengthening cartilage).

To Improve the condition of the spine also helps leech therapy, acupressure and acupuncture.

Thus, the protrusion of spinal discs is the initial stage in the formation of a hernia. The main difference between these diseases is the degree of penetration of the disc outside of the spinal segment. In any case, it is important to detect both types of pathology, to prevent serious complications.