Protrusion of the intervertebral disc

A protrusion is the pathological protrusion of the intervertebral disc into the vertebral canal. A specific feature of this disease is the absence of a breakdown in the structure of the fibrous ring.

The protrusion of the intervertebral disc develops as a result of dystrophic processes in the spine. The normal structure of this organ provides for the presence of a pulpous nucleus surrounded by a strong fibrous tissue ring, which is represented by a multitude of fibers intertwined in different directions among themselves. With the development of dystrophy, this structure loses a significant amount of moisture, so it becomes fragile. The result is the displacement of the pulpous nucleus to the periphery of the intervertebral disc.

The causes of the dystrophic processes of this structure are hypodynamia, excessive consumption of salt with food, age changes, heavy physical exertion.

Protrusion of intervertebral discs can be caused by injuries of this organ. This is typical for workers who perform excessively heavy physical work, and athletes.

Symptoms of this disease are manifested in the event that protrusion affects the roots of the spinal nerves. Therefore protrusion of the intervertebral disc can take a long time without clinical manifestations. The pains affecting the upper limbs, speak of the localization of the pathological focus in the neck. They can irradiate to the shoulder or shoulder blade. Patients are usually worried about muscle weakness in the upper limb, tingling, numbness. Also signs of circulatory insufficiency, most pronounced in the brain, may be attached. This is explained by the infringement of the vertebral arteries. Clinical signs of this condition are headaches, darkening in the eyes, which occurs periodically, dizziness, memory loss.

The protrusion of the intervertebral disc, which is localized in the cervical region, requires immediate treatment, regardless of its size.

If this disease occurs in the thoracic region, pain occurs that are located along the intercostal nerves. They have a shingling character. Also a symptom of this pathological condition is a violation of skin sensitivity.

In the lesion of the lumbar region, there are pain sensations in this area, which irradiate into the coccyx. When the disease progresses, they can spread to the lower extremities. In some cases, paresthesia and numbness occur. The result of such changes is a significant limitation of the mobility of the spine, a forced position (bent forward).

The protrusion of the intervertebral disc, in most cases, develops after excessive physical exertion, which are associated with the lifting of weights, awkward movements in this organ, supercooling. All these signs and determine the emergence of characteristic symptoms of the disease.

Protrusion of the intervertebral disc requires treatment, the urgency of which will depend on the size of the infringement and the involvement of nerve roots in the pathological process. The main areas of therapy are the restoration of the correct anatomical structure, the fight against pain syndrome and muscle spasm. Vacuum massage, manual therapy, acupuncture are used for these purposes. The first method is aimed at relaxing the spasms, improving the trophism of the intervertebral discs. Manual therapy is designed to eliminate protrusion, restore the physiological structure of the spinal column. Acupuncture sessions help to reduce pain, they normalize the level of sensitivity.