What types of spinal hernia are there and how are they classified? Probably, this question interests a lot of people who have encountered this problem. Only a specialist can diagnose the type of hernia and its presence.
Classification of hernia of the spine
The systematization of hernias of the spinal column is very important in building an individual system of medical treatment and manual therapy for the patient. Depending on the degree and severity of degenerative disorders, the following classification of hernias of the vertebral section is distinguished.
Amount of education
By the size of education:
- Protrusion - the diameter of the protrusion of the disk is from one to three millimeters, while the fibrous tissue is not damaged. The initial stages of development of changes in the cartilaginous membranes are characterized by the appearance of discomfort and the occurrence of pain.
- Prolapse - protrusion of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc with a violation of the integrity of the fibrous membranes. Pain during movement increases, the sensitivity of the skin of the upper and lower extremities changes.
- Hernia - the fibrous body is completely destroyed, which leads to displacement of the vertebrae. A person begins to feel numbness of body parts and unbearable pain. The size of the hernia can be from three to eighteen millimeters. With the development of destructive disorders, the fibrous membrane is damaged , as a result of which the vertebrae are displaced and squeezed.
By localization:
- Cervical - are formed in the cervical segment of the spine.
- Thoracic - are formed in the thoracic region.
- Lumbar - appear in the lumbar region.
Directional classification
And in the direction of the exit of the neoplasm:
- Front - are the most favorable, since there are no adverse complications and pathological symptoms affecting other organs.
- Lateral - localized on the lateral tissues of the affected vertebral link.
- Hind - protrusion of a hernia compresses the spinal canal, as a result of which this violation is most severe for the patient.
- Schmorl nodule - this type of pathology is characterized by the forcing of the cartilaginous membranes into the spongy bone tissue of the spine.
Lumbar hernia
An intervertebral hernia is most often formed in the lumbar region. Not a single person is safe from it, starting from a weightlifter and ending with an office worker. By itself, the type of hernia of the lumbar spine represents a rupture of the fibrous ring in the intervertebral disc. Such damage quickly overgrows with connective tissue, and then it is already squeezed out by the vertebrae beyond it, which leads to pressure on the nerve endings. Hernia symptoms may appear in the lower spine. The lumbar region is the busiest spine, and the formation of a hernia there is a common occurrence. The pain in this case is sharp, not dull. All pain manifestations are acute, this is due to pressure on the nerve roots. Most people have severe pain and discomfort, but it happens that it is periodic in nature and quite tolerant.
Symptoms of a lumbar hernia
Symptoms of this type of hernia of the spine are several, but there are main ones by which this disease is diagnosed:
- Pain in the lower back with passing pain in the leg.
- Pain in only one buttock or only in one leg (rare on both sides).
- The pain is localized in the lumbar region, then passes into the pelvis, and then goes along the sciatic nerve into the leg to the feet.
- Symptoms of numbness and tingling in the legs appear.
- During movement, weakness and numbness are felt in the lower extremities.
- Difficult walking “shooting” pain.
During movement, or in a standing and sitting position, lower back pain intensifies, and if the body has a lying position, then it significantly weakens. To a large extent, the symptoms of a variant of the intervertebral hernia of the spine can depend on which vertebra is damaged. Signs of the disease begin with a dull aching pain, which is localized in the lumbar region. With the development of the disease, pain increases and spreads from the back to the pelvis and lower limbs.
Cervical hernia
Symptoms of a type of hernia of the cervical spine are pains of varying degrees of intensity, localization and etiology. Below we consider the classic symptoms of the manifestation of such hernias, depending on which particular vertebra is damaged:
- A hernia between the vertebrae C1 and C2 is characterized by headaches, in particular pain in the half of the head, frequent dizziness, sleep disturbances, tinnitus, impaired coordination and a general permanent nervous state.
- A hernia between C2 and C3 is characterized by a violation of the blood supply to the eyes, tongue and forehead, hence headaches, visual impairment, sweating of the head, a violation of taste sensations, panic nervous states.
- A hernia between C3 and C4 is characterized by severe pain in the neck and shoulder girdle, impaired respiratory activity as a result of paresis of the diaphragm, a change in taste, and a malfunction of the trigeminal nerve.
- A hernia between C4 and C5 is characterized by prolonged dull pain when turning the head and raising arms until numbness of the extremities, frequent ENT diseases, weakening of the facial muscles, up to their paralysis.
- A hernia between C5 and C6 is characterized by severe pain in the muscles of the hands and elbow joints with numbness of the fingers on both hands, the appearance of wheezing, a sensation of a foreign object in the throat, chronic diseases of the eyes and mouth, tremors and numbness of the hands, pain in the shoulders, difficulty in bending extension of wrists.
- The hernia between C6 and C7 is characterized by severe pain in the triceps, numbness of the middle fingers of both hands or the forearm as a whole, chronic cough and hoarse voice, severe shortness of breath, discomfort in the middle fingers. There may also be pinching between the 7th cervical and 1st thoracic vertebra, which inevitably leads to thyroid diseases, arthrosis, impaired motor skills, and "weak hands" syndrome.
Hernia
The presence of a hernia of the thoracic spine is a very serious problem that requires accurate diagnosis and thorough treatment. When collecting and processing an anamnesis, it is necessary to fix factors such as the presence of injuries in the previous period, the site of localization of pain, the zone of violation of tactile sensitivity, fever, muscle weakness, weight loss, the frequency of bowel movements and urination.
The leading role in diagnosing the type of hernia of the spine in the thoracic region today is MRI. In addition, computed tomography (CT), myelography and radiography are also used - these methods, unfortunately, do not provide a complete diagnostic picture, but help to identify degenerative changes in bone tissues.
To determine damage to nerve fibers, electromyography is required. Symptoms of a vertebral hernia of the thoracic region are characterized by localization in the lower extremities (one or both legs at once), namely:
- girdle pain;
- paresthesia or impaired sensitivity;
- muscle weakness;
- spasm or reflex activity.
Thoracic hernia
Thoracic hernia can be treated both conservatively and surgically. Conservative (sparing) methods include:
- regular monitoring and consultation with the attending physician in order to prevent further progression of the disease;
- temporary decrease in motor activity (rest) with severe pain;
- anesthesia with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and analogues), narcotic (opioid) drugs are prescribed if another anesthesia is ineffective;
- steroidal epidural injection (or, more simply, blockade), which temporarily relieves pain;
Surgical surgical treatment is indicated in the absence of improvement (pain relief) after conservative medical treatment. When diagnosing a hernia in the thoracic spine, a diskectomy or laminotomy is performed.
Summing up the above, it should be noted that only a doctor can accurately diagnose and prescribe the necessary course of treatment that is suitable for you.
What kind of sport is possible with a hernia of the spine?
In order to find out whether it is really possible to play sports with the development of formations on the spinal column, it is necessary first of all to consult with your doctor about the permissible types of load for this violation.
Recommended sports for degenerative disorders of the vertebral apparatus:
- Pilates is a system of physical exercises performed in static poses that promote the development of muscle corset. All tasks are performed at a slow pace, no load on the musculoskeletal system is allowed.
- Swimming is the most effective way of renewing one's motor abilities. Water, due to its properties, reduces the load on the vertebra, while the muscle tissues work intensively and strengthen. It is also worth noting that muscle relaxation and stretching of the spine during swimming reduces pain and cramping.
Physiotherapy
All types of exercises performed during the development of hernias are developed by specialists in the field of medicine. The main focus of the lesson is to strengthen muscle fibers and improve the motor capabilities of the individual. It is forbidden to engage in these types of physical activity:
- Athletics
- football
- basketball;
- bodybuilding.