Disk protrusion is considered the most popular form of dystrophic disorder that occurs predominantly in the intervertebral discs. In most cases, this pathology appears in the lumbar spine. Well, why is this happening? In fact, it is on this part of the spine that there are especially heavy loads. Almost 50% of Russians over the age of 30 face such a pathology. In our article, we will take a closer look at the symptoms, causes of protrusion of the lumbar intervertebral discs, treatment and prevention of pathology.
Signs of lumbar protrusion
Pathology of the disc in the lumbar region contributes to the occurrence of stabbing or shooting pain in the lower back. Its intensity increases with movement, sneezing, coughing, walking and standing. ATresting position, the pain syndrome subsides. With a protrusion, a person feels stiffness in the lumbar region, weakness in the legs, tingling in the feet, numbness in the toes, and even difficulty urinating. It causes severe headaches and dizziness, sudden pressure surges. Symptoms of protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar region decrease as the pathology disappears.
Educational background
Protrusion takes place against the background of destructive processes in the discs, that is, as a side effect of osteochondrosis, which leads to thinning of cartilage tissue. The disc in the spine gradually loses its own elasticity. In addition to dystrophy, there is also dysplasia, which is most often hereditary. Dysplasia is a certain defect in the tissue of the intervertebral disc, its weak space. In addition, protrusion of the lumbar discs occurs for the following reasons:
- Scoliosis and other curvatures of the spine, against the background of which there are strong overloads of the lower back. This contributes to the formation of places for future protrusion.
- Significant physical activity. Excessive interest in sports and work that involves lifting heavy things often have a powerful negative impact on spinal he alth.
- Low mobility. Like excessive energy, physical inactivity also leads to the development of pathology of the intervertebral discs. These are two opposite poles, which lead to one disease - protrusion of the lumbar discs.
- Uncomfortable body position. If you are sitting at your desk on an uncomfortablechair, in the wrong position or during sleep, your mattress is too soft or hard, protrusion of the spine in the lumbar region is guaranteed.
According to medical statistics, low back pain due to protrusion most often occurs in middle-aged people.
What is dangerous pathology
After we have found out what the protrusion of the discs of the lumbar spine is, it is important to determine the consequences that may arise due to ignoring the pathology. If you have a protrusion, the most important thing is not to bring it to the appearance of a hernia.
In this pathology, the disc extends beyond its normal position, but the fibrous ring around it remains intact. Little by little, this fibrous ring wears out, does not withstand frequent heavy loads, which is why small gaps (cracks) form. Through them, over time, the core of the disc begins to come out, which is called a hernia. Such a pathology causes severe pain in the lower back, which prevents a person from moving normally, including working. Due to a hernia, there are difficulties with the pelvic organs, backache, in severe cases - paralysis of the legs.
How to detect intervertebral protrusion?
Initially, doctors carry out primary diagnostics based on the explanations of the victim and the medical history. The symptoms that are present are studied in detail. In addition, clinical studies are being conducted to prove the presence of protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine. MRI is considered more advanced research.(magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography).
Medicated treatment
Treatment with drugs for protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine should be prescribed only by qualified doctors, based on the patient's condition. The assigned course must be carried out with high accuracy. If you have side effects, you should immediately inform your doctor about it. Please note that many medications are addictive, so their effect may be reduced. If there are changes in the spine, pain relief does not solve the main problem of this pathology. Drugs commonly prescribed for this condition:
- Antidepressants that allow you to remove the depressive state and emotional disorders that occur due to prolonged protrusion. As a result of taking drugs, sleep improves and fatigue decreases.
- Painkillers such as Morphine or Codeine, which have a strong effect on the central nervous system. These drugs cause severe side effects such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and constipation.
- Non-narcotic painkillers are considered ideal for moderate pain relief. Drugs can be bought at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. These include "Ketanov", "Ketanol", "Kotoleks".
- Miorelaxants, such as Mydocalm.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are pain relievers that reduce pain that occurs against a background of muscle spasm. They include"Ibuprofen", "Diclofenac sodium", "Voltaren". "Aspirin" is a drug that can only slightly reduce pain in the back.
Surgical treatment of disc pathology
But what should be the treatment of protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine, if a strong pain syndrome does not allow you to exercise and massage? In this situation, doctors are likely to resort to surgery. Indications for surgery:
- severe and prolonged pain that does not subside even when taking medication for 7-10 days;
- a person cannot move independently.
In modern medical practice, minimally invasive methods of surgical intervention are most often used. These are operations that are carried out with micro-instruments with the smallest incisions in superficial tissues. One of the most modern methods is the removal of the affected disk core. But in most cases, microdiscectomy is used. The option of surgical intervention is negotiated only with the attending physician. The state of he alth of the patient, the characteristics of the pathology and the presence of complications are taken into account without fail.
Conservative treatment of disc protrusion
Today, a large number of methods for the treatment of protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar sacral region are presented. But how to choose the right one? Most of them are aimed primarily at reducing the pain syndrome, and not at eliminating the root cause of the pathology. Determines what to do with protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbardepartment, only the attending physician after an accurate diagnosis. To combat pathology, the following methods of conservative treatment are used:
- manual therapy;
- therapeutic gymnastics;
- self-massage and massage;
- physiotherapy.
The main objectives of conservative therapy is to reduce inflammation and pain, strengthen the muscle frame. To cope with all the tasks, you need to act only comprehensively, regularly resorting to all treatment options.
Shock Wave Therapy
When conducting this variant of physiotherapy, the doctor can instantly adjust the parameters and duration of shock wave therapy. A course of treatment, which consists of several sessions, can achieve the best result, and in some pathologies, surgery can be avoided.
Shock wave therapy is contraindicated in the following conditions:
- neoplasms that are located near the impact zone;
- diseases associated with bleeding disorders;
- acute infectious diseases;
- pregnancy;
- installed pacemaker;
- thrombi in the cavity of the heart (often observed with arrhythmia).
This type of physiotherapy allows you to remove the compression of the nerve roots, strengthen the muscles of the back. Also, shock wave therapy will improve your posture, speed up recovery from injuries, and increase muscle tone. This procedureis prescribed both as the main treatment for protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar region, and as a preventive measure.
Laser therapy
Laser therapy can have a therapeutic effect due to the ability of the human body to absorb light energy. This physiotherapy helps to restore biochemical processes, relieves pain and normalizes metabolic processes. Also, laser therapy can strengthen the immune system, improve soft tissue nutrition and reduce inflammation.
Exact contraindications to the treatment of protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar region by laser therapy have not been identified to date. However, indirect factors have been identified that negatively affect treatment: the age of the patient, acute tuberculosis, pregnancy, or tumors of various etiologies. The listed pathologies and conditions are not considered absolute contraindications to the procedure, but they should still be taken into account.
Magnetotherapy
Treatment of protrusion of the discs of the lumbar spine with magnetotherapy helps to mobilize the body's resources and improve the functioning of internal organs. It speeds up metabolic processes. Physiotherapy is used primarily to reduce pain, inflammation, and wound healing. In addition, magnetic therapy stimulates tissue regeneration and relaxes muscle spasms. Contraindications for the procedure:
- bleeding and blood diseases;
- heart disease;
- severe cardiac arrhythmias;
- acute myocardial infarction;
- availabilitypacemaker;
- CNS diseases;
- malignant neoplasms or suspicion of their development;
- tuberculosis;
- infectious diseases;
- high body temperature;
- a sharp exacerbation of a chronic inflammatory process;
- gangrene;
- exhaustion of the body;
- individual intolerance.
Mud treatment
Applications with healing mud for preventive purposes are prescribed quite rarely for protrusion. Most often they are used during the course of rehabilitation and prevention. Physiotherapy promotes cell regeneration, reduces myospasm and swelling. Simultaneously with the procedures of mud therapy, an exercise therapy complex and massage are carried out. Therapeutic mud should not be used for diseases of the cardiovascular system, skin pathologies, chronic respiratory diseases, ophthalmic lesions.
Acupuncture
The essence of this method is to influence certain active points on the human body with the help of thin needles. Acupuncture is considered one of those methods of treating spinal protrusion, around which the disputes of doctors have not ceased for a long time. Some claim that this therapy does not bring improvements and at best a placebo effect occurs. Other doctors claim that acupuncture is highly effective. In practice, such physiotherapy is in many cases successful, due to which the patient's condition improves quickly.
Different types of needles are used for acupuncture. This isdirectly depends only on the zone of influence. Such needles are made of high quality metal, and auricular needles are made of surgical stainless steel. In some situations, an electric current is conducted through the needles inserted into the human body. This option of physiotherapy is not used if the patient has an elevated body temperature.
Criteria for exercise therapy for protrusion of the lumbar spine
Therapeutic exercise is considered one of the most effective and efficient ways to treat protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar sacral spine. Despite this, exercise therapy for pathological changes has many rules for implementation. These include the following:
- Before exercising, you should consult your doctor. Treatment with exercises for protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine has its own nuances. They need to be done carefully, without rushing. Clothing for classes should not restrict movement. Choose pants and a top that are made from natural materials.
- Shoes should also be special, sports, with an orthopedic insole.
- If exercises from the exercise therapy program cause severe pain, then they should be stopped immediately.
- During training, it is allowed to drink water in small sips.
A set of exercises for protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine
These exercises should be started only after consultation with a specialist to avoid deteriorationhe alth status. The following are considered popular and effective:
- "Scissors". Lie on your back, place your arms along the body, lift your legs up perpendicular to the body. Spread your legs from side to side, crossing them alternately. Repeat 15-25 times.
- Walking on all fours. Do this exercise for 5 minutes. The back is best kept arched.
- Lying on your stomach, stretch out your arms and legs. Stretch all the limbs up, gradually increasing the amplitude, but not bringing it to the maximum limit. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then return to the starting position.
- Planck. Take a plank position, rest your elbows on the floor and alternately stretch your legs up. Repeat 5 times each.
- Get on all fours, bend your leg towards your stomach and return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise 6 times on each leg.
This exercise therapy complex for protrusion is focused on strengthening the tone of the back muscles, reducing pain in the lumbar region and reducing the overall load on the back. As shown in the photo, protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar is facilitated by swimming on the back or crawl. You won't get good results if you swim breaststroke.
Food
The condition of the spine directly depends on the nutrition of a person. That is, an insufficient amount of calcium and a complex of vitamins causes the rapid destruction of bone tissue. During the treatment of protrusion, it is important to maintain water balance, because cartilage tissue is morefrom liquid. The lack of water in the body provokes a decrease in the size of the intervertebral disc, as well as a deterioration in the blood supply to the tissues of the spine.
Of all foods, the following should be given special attention:
- Sesame milk, which contains a large amount of calcium. You can prepare it yourself by grinding sesame seeds and pouring them with one liter of warm water.
- Fresh milk, which should be free of additives and preservatives. Factory milk is low in calcium, so it's best to buy raw milk.
- Fish, such as salmon or mackerel, which includes a lot of phosphorus. It is needed for the normal development of bone tissue.
- Chondroprotectors, which are important for the normal formation of cartilage tissue. You can replace chondroprotective drugs with frequent use of pork or beef jelly.
- To maximize the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which enter the body with the above products, it is important to take vitamin D3 at the same time. There are special additives with it, and it also begins to be produced when walking in the sun.
Disease prevention
It is interesting that the advice and recommendations of doctors on the prevention of osteochondrosis are quite general. Protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar sacral appears mainly with a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, the presence of acquired diseases, the treatment of which takes time and effort. In this regard, in order to reduce the risk of developing protrusionlower back, you should increase physical activity, while ignoring sudden movements.
When sedentary work, you need to pause from time to time and do simple exercises. It is also part of the treatment for lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. Exercises should be performed according to a certain methodology, under the supervision of rehabilitologists. Doctors advise to pay attention to yoga, walking, swimming in the pool. More time should be devoted to proper nutrition, which will allow you to monitor weight. It is important to enrich your diet with foods rich in calcium, zinc and vitamins. Learn the techniques of self-massage and exercise therapy, which will undoubtedly help with pain.
Separate recommendation: do not save and do not neglect your he alth, because your well-being is in your hands. Remember that if you ignore the treatment, the protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar sacral "grows" into a hernia. Try to visit a chiropractor for prevention at least once every 3-6 months.
