Vertebral hernia is a rather dangerous disease that leads to pathology of the locomotor system. It occurs quite often and requires regular treatment, as well as preventive measures. This is a disease of athletes, tall people and patients in adulthood.
Causes
The causative factors for the appearance of a herniated disc include:
- The patient has scoliosis, excessive kyphosis, or lordosis.
- Any spinal injury.
- Age over 30 years with growth above 170 cm.
- Disruption of nutrition of the disc, which may be due to the lack of load on the deep muscles of the back. This is due to the fact that they have no veins, and they receive nutrition only during the work of the back muscles.
- People with osteochondrosis or any degenerative disease that destroys the structure of the disc. Their destruction leads to the destruction of the fibrous ring or its protrusion.
- Atrophied muscles of the back. The smaller their volume, the higher the risk of earning a hernia with the same load.
Sharp actions that can affect the spinal mass:
- Blows.
- A fall.
- Excessive body turns.
Other factors include:
- Female. This is due to the fact that women suffer from the disease more often than men.
- Great physical activity, sedentary lifestyle.
- Constant sitting position, for example, when working at a computer.
- Prolonged driving.
- Regular smoking
- Improper posture.
- Overweight.
- Excessive hypothermia.
Symptoms
Back pain can be a sign of a lumbar spinal hernia. Symptoms may not appear immediately or may be erratic, for example, during physical exertion or at a certain position of the body. This is due to the fact that at the first stage of the disease, the extruded pulpous material of the intervertebral nucleus is not yet inflamed.
Of course, if deformations arose as a result of an impact or a heavy load, then, as a rule, the symptoms of a vertebral hernia appear almost immediately. This is due to the fact that after the rupture of the fibrous ring, the pulpous nucleus is strongly squeezed out, which can lead to compression of the spinal cord. If the roots of the spinal cord touch, then the intensity of the pain increases. It is felt even with complete relaxation in the supine position. Additionally, the sensitivity of the toes is lost, the muscles lose strength.
If spinal cord compression occurs, a symptom of a hernia of the vertebral section such as lower limb failure and abnormal functioning of the abdominal organs may be observed. This is due to obstruction of impulses from the brain. Due to the above symptoms, a person is constantly trying to limit motor activity, which further affects the state of the intervertebral space.
Diagnostics
At the initial stage, a vertebral hernia practically does not manifest itself. In some cases, its symptoms are similar to those observed with osteochondrosis of the spine. If you suspect you have symptoms of an intervertebral hernia, then you should contact a neurologist.
The doctor prescribes instrumental studies to make an accurate diagnosis. An ordinary X-ray is not able to show the condition of the intervertebral discs, therefore, more advanced instrumental studies are carried out.
The following are those that can detect protrusion of the pulpous material from the nucleus of the intervertebral disc:
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine (MRI).
- Computed tomography (CT) is most often prescribed for the comprehensive determination of the state of intervertebral discs and bones.
- Myelography If there are contraindications to the above methods, then myelography with contrast is performed. It is able to identify the degree and place of compression of the spinal cord.
From this list, MRI is a more informative study, as it allows you to get a better visualization of the soft tissues of the spine. This method allows you to determine not only the size of the hernia, but also the degree of narrowing of the spinal canal.
Operation
Usually, with intervertebral hernia, conservative or physiotherapeutic treatment is prescribed. This is due to the fact that surgical intervention in the spine is a traumatic operation, during which the patient's condition may worsen.
But there are times when there is no other option, only an operation. For example, if a severe pain syndrome is observed, if the hernia has reached such a size that it began to create a load on the spinal cord.
The operation includes the following steps:
- A cut is made of the skin three or four centimeters in size in the area of the problem vertebra.
- With the help of special holders, the skin, muscles and ligaments are moved apart.
- Part of the material of the pulpous nucleus and fibrous ring is removed.
- Ligaments and muscles return to their previous position.
- The wound is sutured.
If after the actions are performed, the compression in the same vertebra is repeated, then a second operation is performed with excision of part of the intervertebral disc.
If during the diagnosis revealed instability of the vertebrae, then carry out an operation to fix them. This surgery is called spinal fusion.
The above operations allow you to maintain the supporting function of the spine.
Drug treatment
Conservative treatment of a vertebral hernia of the lumbar involves the use of medications. Such therapy is becoming the main treatment for most patients. This is due to the fact that this method can show a fairly good result.
To remove inflammation at the site of hernia formation, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Most often, these are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are listed below:
- Diclofenac. The most widely used drug, but it is prescribed only in the absence of pathologies in the stomach, since it aggressively affects the mucous membranes.
- "Movali." Tablets are prescribed for a large number of affected vertebrae. The suspension is administered intramuscularly.
The use of chondroprotectors shows good results. They include substances such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These drugs can prevent degradation of the intervertebral discs.
The most popular chondroprotectors are listed below:
- "Teraflex" - in the form of capsules.
- "Arthra" - in the form of tablets.
- "Alflutop" - solution for injection.
Home therapy
Kneading back is carried out by any ball, suitable in size. You can find and buy them at a sporting goods store or pharmacy.
Kneading is done pointwise, which allows you to strengthen the muscles on the back at the point of contact.
The technique of exercises is as follows:
- Lie on your back, bend your knees, and press the feet and shoulders to the floor.
- Put the ball under the lower back and adjust the degree of pressure on the back.
- Roll the ball up and down or left and right.
The number of repetitions is selected for each individually, based on feelings. If you feel that there is no particular discomfort and are able to perform several times more, then do it.
For the initial stages of massage, you can perform this exercise in several approaches. If you feel severe pain and discomfort in your back, then try to break the exercise into several parts.
Properly performed exercise should cause a feeling of warmth in the muscles. This is due to the fact that blood supply increases at the site of contact. It promotes faster restoration of the locomotor system, as its tissues receive more nutrients than usual.
You can use a different embodiment. With him, the exercise is carried out standing, pressing the ball with his back to the wall. This option is easier, which can be useful if a person has a back injury and cannot perform the exercise while lying down.
Back massage with roller
This exercise is carried out using a paint rubber roller or an object similar in shape and elasticity to it. Due to the large area of contact with the back, the tool will allow you to use many muscle groups. During the exercise, it is necessary to move so that the roller uses the entire back area.
After three swings up and down, you need to relax, spreading your legs and arms to the sides. To enhance the effect, you can rub the back with alcohol tincture. After exercise, you can not load the back for two hours.
Applicator Kuznetsova
This item was once incredibly popular. Kuznetsov's applicator is another way to treat a vertebral hernia. This is a material on the surface of which there are many attached round plastic plates on which pyramid-shaped plastic needles are concentrically located. They act creating the effect of acupuncture, while increasing blood circulation.
Apply the Kuznetsov applicator by placing this material under the back. Then they lie on their backs for an hour. The above applicator is used in the complex treatment of hernias. In some cases, this exercise may cause deterioration. If this happens, it is worth reducing the exposure time or completely removing this exercise from practice.
Applicator Lyapko
This item can also be used to treat spinal hernia. The applicator consists of rubber on which blunt needles of different metals of short length are fixed. The effect of needles on the skin is more pronounced than when using the Kuznetsov applicator. Applicator Lyapko is available in various versions. Size and shape are selected depending on the disease in which parts of the body the use of this applicator is planned: for a hernia of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. Application to reduce symptoms of lumbar and vertebral hernia helps relieve pain.
Five best folk remedies
The best methods include:
1. Saber.
The tincture of the root of this plant is suitable for both external and internal use. To prepare it, you need to take one hundred grams of root and chop. Then fill the glass container with the mixture and pour medical alcohol. At the next stage, the jar with saber is put in a dark place and insisted for two to three weeks. After preparation, use three times a day before meals, diluting one tablespoon of the product in a third of a glass of water. For the best effect, add one bottle of ten percent Dimexidum to the tincture, but then the product is used to rub the problem area of the back.
2. Comfrey.
Preparation of the ointment begins with chopping the comfrey root, which is required to take 500 g. Then the resulting mass is added to the melted pork fat and heated in a pan, stirring constantly. When the mixture becomes homogeneous, add three hundred milliliters of vodka, mix and allow to cool in a dark place. After cooling, reheat and filter into a glass container. The finished product must be stored in a dark and cool place. Use the tool imposing on the back and wrapping the material. Withstand ointment for half an hour.
3. Hernia treatment with compresses with aloe juice and honey
Take aloe juice, liquid flower honey and medical alcohol in a ratio of 1: 2: 3. All diligently mixed. The mixture is placed in a jar and incubated for 24 hours. After that, it is placed in a refrigerator for cooling. Apply a mixture of soaked gauze, folded ten times. This gauze must be applied to problem areas, covered with polyethylene and wrapped with something warm. It is recommended to withstand at least an hour, and possibly more. During the procedure, do not strain your back or get out of bed.
4. With umbilical hernia.
From wet clay, mold a lump and wrap it in one layer of gauze. Warm to body temperature and attach to the navel. Secure with a band-aid.
5 Fruit treatment.
This recipe is based on the use of micronutrient-rich foods. Have to take:
- Dried apricots - five pieces.
- Figs - one piece.
- Prunes - two pieces.
The above products are crushed and consumed within a month. The combination of the above fruits helps to improve the well-being of the patient.
But before using all these recipes, a specialist consultation is necessary.
Do I need to stretch the spine
One way to treat a hernia is to stretch the spine. This method allows you to relieve pain in a short period of time. Currently, traction is successfully used to treat other diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Also, this procedure allows you to correct the displacement of bone fragments during a fracture, restore limb mobility and eliminate deformation. However, many experts argue that such loads can only exacerbate the situation.
Spinal traction is carried out when the patient is in a vertical or horizontal position.
The main methods of the procedure:
- Using the patient’s body weight.
- Under the influence of additional load.
- Dry traction - this procedure is carried out using additional items.
- Hydro traction - carried out in water.
The procedure has many contraindications. Before using it in old age, it is necessary to go through the whole complex of examinations.
Vertebrologists carry out manual traction of various parts of the spine. The procedure is painless and safe, since the doctor feels the slightest changes in the patient’s condition and quickly adjusts his actions.
Spinal traction should not be performed in the presence of degenerative changes in the structure of the vertebrae.