A herniated disc is one of the most common causes of back pain.. Pathology is characterized by a protrusion of the intervertebral disc located between the vertebral bodies. In most cases, a hernia is a complication of osteochondrosis.. If symptoms appear, you need to consult a doctor and undergo an examination, early detection of pathology increases the effectiveness of treatment. For treatment, conservative methods are used, if there is no effect, an operation is performed..

What is the pathology? Intervertebral hernia is a disease in which the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc protrudes. The mechanism of the development of the disease is associated with the structure of the spine.

Intervertebral hernia is formed due to degenerative processes in the disc that separates the vertebrae. Thanks to the latter, mobility and flexibility of the spine are ensured..

The structure of the disks is as follows:.

nucleus pulposus - located inside, soft, has a gel-like consistency and consists of 90% water;

annulus fibrosus - located outside, hard and strong, it surrounds and delimits the nucleus pulposus.

Cervical discs are smaller, lumbar discs are the largest.

The mechanism of the development of the disease Normally, each intervertebral disc is located strictly between the bodies of two vertebrae. If it goes beyond this interdiscal space, a vertebral hernia develops..

The development of the disease is usually associated with degeneration (wear and tear) of the disc.. The fibrous ring loses its elasticity, tears and cracks may develop. All this leads to protrusion of the nucleus pulposus..

Why pathology developsThe only reason that would lead to the development of the disease does not exist. In most cases, the formation of a hernia is associated with osteochondrosis of the spine.. This is a degenerative-dystrophic disease in which the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and dries out.. Its height decreases, so any physical activity can lead to injury..

What factors increase the likelihood of intervertebral disc displacement:.

weight lifting;

sharp twisting movements;

prolonged sitting position;

obesity;

excessive physical activity;

overload of the spinal column associated with flat feet and wearing uncomfortable shoes;

abrupt cessation of regular exercise.

Genetic predisposition also plays a role.. A hernia of the intervertebral space can develop not only as a complication of osteochondrosis, but also with trauma and curvature of the spine, in individuals with developmental anomalies leading to an overload of the spinal column.

Any part of the spine can be affected, but most often the lumbosacral and cervical. Clinical symptoms depend on localization, each type of disease has its own symptoms. There are the following types of pathology, taking into account the location:.

Hernia of the lumbosacral region - the most common. In 90% of cases, the protrusion is localized at the level of L4-L5 and L5-S1.

The cervical region is the second most common.

Thoracic - extremely rare.

Depending on the stage of hernia formation, the following varieties are distinguished:.

prolapse;

protrusion;

extrusion;

disk sequestration.

A hernia is a protrusion of the nucleus pulposus of the disc beyond the fibrous ring.. Symptoms appear when the bulge compresses the surrounding nerves and blood vessels.. Clinical manifestations depend primarily on the type of disease.

Common signs include local pain and impaired innervation when squeezing the spinal nerves..

Cervical region The main symptom of the disease is pain in the back of the neck.. Pain worsens with exertion, lessens when lying down. The pain is dull in nature, may radiate to the upper limb.

In addition to the pain syndrome, when the nerves are compressed, there is a violation of innervation:.

numbness of fingers;

trophic skin changes;

occasional dizziness;

headache;

blood pressure fluctuation.

The severity of symptoms depends on the size of the protrusion and the degree of compression of the nerves..

Thoracic Pain is most often localized in the upper back. It increases with physical activity, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position. Pain can also be localized in the retrosternal region, resembling diseases of the heart or stomach..

The lumbosacral regionPain is localized in the lower back, often radiating to the lower extremities, sacrum, genitals. Pain worsens with exertion, disappears with rest.

There are other symptoms associated with impaired innervation:.

numbness and tingling in the leg;

muscle weakness in the lower limb;

desensitization;

pelvic disorders - urinary and fecal incontinence, erectile dysfunction.

Localization of symptoms can be different - only the thigh, thigh and lower leg, from the buttocks to the fingertips. It depends on which nerve is pinched..

The main symptom with which patients suffering from intervertebral hernia go to the doctor is pain in the spine. Consequences and possible complications With early detection of the disease and initiation of treatment, the prognosis is favorable. Approximately 75% of cases improve within 4 to 6 weeks, but there is a high risk of recurrence.

The clinical picture is not limited to the main symptoms only.. In some cases, complications develop that change the symptoms. Complications can be different, depending on which part of the spine the hernia is located in..

Localization.

Typical complications.

cervical.

The most common complication is vertebral artery syndrome. There is compression of the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain. Clinically, this is manifested by the following symptoms:.

· noise in ears;

· dizziness;

· loss of consciousness;

flashes of light in the eyes;

lack of coordination.

In severe cases, vertebral artery syndrome can cause transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), a transient disruption of the blood supply to the brain..

Thoracic.

A hernia in the thoracic spine can compress the visceral branches that innervate the internal organs. Therefore, a complication of the disease can be a violation of the esophagus, bronchi, liver, pancreas, intestines..

Lumbosacral region.

Most often complicated by radicular syndrome (radiculopathy). This is a condition in which the spinal root is compressed, which leads to severe pain.

Another complication that can develop with all types of disease is discogenic myelopathy.. This is a condition in which a bulging disc narrows the spinal canal and compresses the spinal cord.. There are motor or sensory disturbances on the one hand:.

paresis of the lower limb (right or left) with loss of tendon reflexes;

loss of sensation;

dysfunction of the pelvic organs - incontinence of urine and feces.

Over time, the condition worsens, the changes become irreversible.

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