A paramedian hernia occurs due to a displacement of the intervertebral discs inside the spinal canal. For this reason, unilateral or bilateral compression of the spinal cord occurs. Often a disease develops due to a person’s disability, as the nerve endings and spinal cord are compressed. The paramedian type of hernia is most common.
Causes of the disease
There are several factors under the influence of which a hernia of the spine may appear. These include:
- Birth injury.
- Excessive exercise.
- Inactive lifestyle.
- Serious diseases of the pelvic organs.
- Pathology of the spine.
- Obesity.
- Hormonal malfunction caused by age-related changes.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Unhealthy Lifestyle.
Hip dysplasia is only diagnosed a few years after the onset of the disease. If you approach the treatment of dysplasia comprehensively, then the risk of complications in this case is minimal. If this ailment is not properly treated, then the human pelvis can skew. For this reason, an intervertebral paramedian hernia appears.
Diagnosis of the disease
When one of the signs of the disease appears, it is important to carry out an X-ray examination. It will make it possible to assess the damaged area of the spine. With the help of MRI, which helps to clearly identify the area of dead tissue, the specialist assesses the degree of displacement of the discs. A prerequisite is myelography. This type of study will allow you to make an accurate diagnosis to the patient. Myelography is rarely used, since side effects can occur.
Symptoms of hernia
In the early stages of the development of pathology, pronounced symptoms are observed that prevent a person from leading a full-fledged lifestyle. The main features include:
- acute pain in the spine;
- severe weakness and fatigue;
- numbness of the limbs.
If a paramedian hernia develops in the cervical region, then often the patient is bothered by pain in the neck, which gives to the shoulder blades. Painful sensations intensify with head movements.
The opinion of experts
Thoracic paramedian hernia is least likely to occur. If there is pain in the chest, you should immediately consult a doctor and undergo a complete medical examination, as this may be a sign of pneumonia or heart attack. The lumbar spine is affected most often. This disease is dangerous in that it can progress and move into more complex forms. Over time, the size of the hernia increases significantly, which increases the pain and discomfort.
Types of disease
Classify the disease depending on the affected area. Paramedial hernia is left-sided, right-sided and median.
Left side form
The left-sided paramedian disk hernia is characterized by a rupture of the fibrous ring, as a result of which the gel-like masses that fill the lumen of the disk begin to protrude to the left of the spine. A hernia provokes compression of the process of the spinal cord and nerve root. With this pathology, the following can happen:
- pinched nerve;
- paralysis;
- fecal and urinary incontinence.
With an advanced disease, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting.
Right-sided form of pathology development
Right-sided paramedial hernia differs from left-sided hernia only in that the displacement occurs to the right. During palpation by a doctor during examination, the patient feels severe pain in the direction where the protrusion occurred. It is almost impossible to diagnose the presence of the disease at home. Only a qualified specialist is able to make a diagnosis. Based on the results of instrumental and laboratory studies, the specialist prescribes treatment. If back pain occurs, it is forbidden to even engage in physical therapy, as this can only damage the muscles and aggravate the general health of the patient.
Localization of hernias
They are also classified depending on the location of the hernial protrusion relative to the cerebral canal. The main features of the posterior right-sided or left-sided hernia are characterized by protrusion of the pulpous nuclei, which are directed towards the spinal canal. At the early stage of the development of the disease, symptoms may not appear, but as the disease progresses, the patient experiences pain due to lateral compression. Another such pathology is called paramedian dorsal hernia.
The lateral form is always directed towards the intervertebral space. The severity of symptoms depends on the severity of the disease. A sequestered hernia is diagnosed when the disc has already fallen into the space of the spinal canal. The severity of symptoms depends on the pathology. As medical practice shows, most often the L5-S1 disk lends itself to negative effects, despite the fact that its vertebra is strong. Due to the heavy load on it, a complication often develops. The L4-L5 disc is mostly bulging due to an inactive and unhealthy lifestyle. Sedentary work and prolonged stay in one position adversely affect the spine. In some cases, the posterior paramedian hernia of the L4-L5 disc is treated with the medication, since such a conservative method will be enough to recover the patient.
Doctor's opinion
In the process of treatment, it is important to reduce the influence of negative factors on the overall health of the patient. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle and avoid excessive physical exertion. Based on the statistics, it can be concluded that most often back office problems occur in office workers. For this reason, you should move more and regularly perform gymnastic exercises. Specialists recommend visiting a doctor and undergoing medical examinations. This is the best prevention of any disease. It should be borne in mind that the smaller the size of the paramedian hernia is l5 s1, the easier the treatment is. In the subsequent stages of the development of pathology, the problem is eliminated only by surgery or laser. The recovery period in case of surgery is about a month.
Drug treatment
With the help of drugs, doctors relieve the inflammatory process and reduce soreness. If the patient is worried about severe pain or discomfort, then in addition the doctor prescribes antispasmodics. Due to muscle relaxants, muscle tone is reduced. This allows you to reduce the motor activity of the patient. With the help of corticosteroids, pain and swelling of the tissue are eliminated. Chondroprotector slows down the process of destruction of bone tissue, normalizes water-salt processes in the nuclei. Homeopathic medicine eliminates puffiness, improves nutrition of pinched nerves. You should know that the duration of the course and dosage is determined only by the doctor. Based on the obtained laboratory and instrumental methods of research, the specialist selects effective drugs. The doctor analyzes the overall clinical picture and prescribes a comprehensive treatment. If you feel worse after taking the drug, you should immediately inform your doctor. In this case, the patient will select the appropriate medicine. It is forbidden to change one tablet to another on your own. There may be complications such as loss of consciousness and death. The patient may fall into a coma. Unfortunately, many patients do not know about this. Some drugs need to be taken for a certain number of days and it is important for them to introduce a replacement gradually.
Conservative treatment
With conservative treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out, including massage and hirudotherapy. To achieve a positive effect and improve the overall health of the patient, the classical technique of its implementation is not enough. Pressure should not be strong, as this often causes acute pain. Instead of putting pressure on the affected area, you should easily pat the skin. It is important to know that such a procedure is prohibited with an advanced form of the disease.
A positive effect on the overall health of the patient is hydromassage and vacuum massage. Leech therapy helps repair damaged tissue and nerve fibers. Acupuncture eliminates pain and swelling, while it does not cause an allergic reaction and normalizes metabolism. The well-being of the patient will help him recover faster. Physiotherapy for hernia is carried out using:
- electrotherapy;
- diadynamic therapy;
- interference
- electrical neurostimulation;
- laser therapy;
- magnetotherapy;
- balneotherapy.
Surgical intervention
If the doctor diagnosed a paramedian-foraminal hernia, which is directed to the foraminal zone, where the nerve root of the spinal cord is located, then the treatment is carried out using surgical intervention. The surgeon dissects the soft tissue and removes part of the disc. Using a bone graft, the spinal column is restored. Complications after surgery arise if the patient did not strictly follow the doctor's recommendations in the postoperative period. After surgery for a month, any physical activity is prohibited. During the rehabilitation period, it is important to sleep on a soft couch, eat right and avoid stress. Physiotherapy should be carried out 15 days after surgery. Even after a full recovery of the body, doctors recommend regular examination by a specialist. This is especially true for those patients in the family who have had similar pathologies.
conclusions
If one of the signs of the disease appears, consult a doctor. At an early stage of the development of the disease, treatment is much easier. With the advanced form of hernia, the problem is solved surgically. Alternative methods of treatment can only harm the patient. It is life-threatening to engage in self-medication, since various herbs and infusions have the same powerful effect as antibiotics. Any medications should be taken strictly as directed by the doctor. The dose and duration of the course is determined solely by the attending physician.