Sometimes patients are turning to the neurologist with complaints of sore back, hear: "There is nothing to worry about. protrusion only. " But what is this "beast" -What is? Really harmless? Let's investigate.
Indeed, There is a steady, albeit absolutely misperception that protrusion - it is not dangerous and scary. This is not a hernia, it is not necessary to be operated. But from a herniated intervertebral this is the protrusion of a p-set is different (it rarely exceeds 1-4 mm). In addition, often can be found and the "giant" protrusion - 10-15 mm.
According to statistics, disc protrusion is diagnosed more often in males. And found more in the lumbar region, causing sciatica (nerve root inflammation). Although the protrusion of the cervical spine is also often diagnosed.
A bit of anatomy
If you look from an anatomical point of view, between the vertebrae of our spine is a kind of shock-absorbing "jelly" substance - the intervertebral disc. And the older a person becomes, the thicker it is the "jelly" between his vertebrae. And depreciated their property, it loses over time.
And you need to know that the cushioning "jelly" in itself heterogeneous and consists of a nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc surrounded by a fibrous ring. And if the disc itself is safe and its structure is not broken, the doctors say about the protrusion. And when the broken ring and part of the core falls out, it is already a hernia.
However, it is at the stage of the protrusion back pain, lower back or neck acquire constant aching in nature, exhausting the patient. It is on this background developing low back pain - a chronic disease of the spine, which affects cartilage and intervertebral discs. Put simply, the low back pain begins with a protrusion, and ends with a hernia.
The causes of protrusion
The main cause of the protrusion are considered permanent microtrauma that may arise during exercise (or rather, overload) on the problem (in terms of biomechanics) spine. As a result, with age vertebrae closer together, and the pressure on the annulus fibrosus increases. In this case, the disc begins to just "stick out" from under a vertebra.
That treatment was successful protrusion should eliminate muscle spasms, which are the main cause of circulatory disorders of drives and "bad" load on the spine. Also reasons to be corrected can be overweight and any curvature of the spine (eg, lordosis or kyphosis and scoliosis).
Many doctors believe that the less loaded spine, the lower the risk of transition from the protrusion to the hernia. However, on this issue there is a dependence on the position of the human body. If something lifted with bent back in half, for example, the pressure on the spine is enhanced by at least 10 times!
symptoms protrusion
There are many, and not all of them are specific. Among the signs of protrusion of the most common are:
- headache in the back of his head;
- frequent dizziness;
- AD jumps;
- numbness and tingling in the extremities;
- a sense of "cotton" hands-down.
There and back pain, as well as weakness and pain in the feet, hands, stiffness in the movements.
The first stage is often characterized by a protrusion clearly localized severe pain that lasts about a week. Then the pain goes to the second stage - becomes "diffuse", constantly aching, radiating into the leg, arm, shoulder blade below or in the buttock - yes anywhere! The latter depends on the location of the nerve roots and finding actually protrusion.
How to treat?
The choice of treatment when the diagnosis "disc protrusion" depends on how pronounced the existing neurological disorder in a particular patient. If he suffers pain, prescribers, relieves pain. And in some cases, added paravertebral, epidural and / or epidural blockade.
When the protrusions may be appointed as a course of therapeutic exercises, special massage, spinal traction and / or acupuncture. In most cases, surgery would be required, but if the disease is left unchecked, the risk of needing surgery to increase significantly.
prevention
To never hear the word "protrusion" need a little:
- regularly engage in physical exercise;
- a lot of walking;
- to keep the correct posture;
- to control weight;
- Healthy food;
- maintain healthy lifestyles in general.
However, the passage of time does not stop. And the age-related changes in the spine are inevitable. Still, to avoid serious problems with the discs help exercises and walking - about them should not forget.
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