Protrusion is a pathological protrusion of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal. A feature of this disease is the absence of a violation of the structure of the fibrous ring.
Protrusion of the intervertebral disc develops due to dystrophic processes in the spine. The normal structure of this organ involves the presence of a pulpous nucleus surrounded by a strong ring of fibrous tissue, which is represented by many fibers intertwined in different directions with each other. With the development of dystrophy, this structure loses a significant amount of moisture, so it becomes fragile. The result is a shift in the pulp nucleus to the periphery of the intervertebral disc.
The causes of dystrophic processes of this structure are physical inactivity, excessive salt intake with food, age-related changes, heavy physical exertion.
Protrusion of the intervertebral discs can be caused by injuries of this organ. This is typical for workers who perform excessively hard physical labor, and athletes.
Symptoms of this disease appear if the protrusion affects the roots of the spinal nerves. Therefore, protrusion of the intervertebral disc can occur for a long time without clinical manifestations. Pain affecting the upper limbs indicates the localization of the pathological focus in the neck. They can radiate to the shoulder girdle or shoulder blade. Patients are usually disturbed by muscle weakness in the upper limb, tingling, numbness. Signs of circulatory failure, most pronounced in the brain, may also join. This is due to pinching of the vertebral arteries. Clinical signs of this condition are headaches, darkening in the eyes that occurs periodically, dizziness, memory loss.
Protrusion of the intervertebral disc, which is localized in the cervical spine, requires immediate treatment, regardless of its size.
When this disease occurs, pains appear in the thoracic region, which are located along the intercostal nerves. They have a zoster character. Also a symptom of this pathological condition is a violation of skin sensitivity.
With damage to the lumbar region, pain sensations appear in this area, which radiate to the coccyx. With the progression of the disease, they can spread to the lower extremities. In some cases, parasthesia and numbness occur. The result of such changes is a significant limitation of the mobility of the spine, a forced position (bending forward).
Protrusion of the intervertebral disc, in most cases, develops after excessive physical exertion, which is associated with weight lifting, awkward movements in this body, hypothermia. All these signs determine the occurrence 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 involvement of the nerve roots in the pathological process. The main areas of therapy are the restoration of the correct anatomical structure, the fight against pain and muscle spasm. For these purposes, vacuum massage, manual therapy, acupuncture are used. The first method is aimed at relaxing spasmodic muscles, improving trophic 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.