Lasegue's symptom in neurology was discovered by a French doctor and subsequently named after him. Back in the middle of the 19th century, the doctor noticed: if the patient, lying on his back, raises his straightened leg, there is a sharp pain in the lumbar part of the body, which instantly disappears when the person bends the limb.
Reasons for appearance
Often, due to problems with the sciatic nerve, a Lasegue symptom occurs that accompanies pinching or neuritis of this part of the central nervous system. This nerve is the largest in the human body, it is formed from branches extending from the spinal cord - the lumbar and sacral. Consists of two types of nerves: tibial and peroneal. If they are overstretched, pinched or injured, then a person feels severe pain when he tries to raise a straight leg in a supine position.
The symptom occurs due to the inability of the nerve fibers to lengthen: its roots can be pinched in the holes between the vertebrae, or excessive stretching occursin case of herniated intervertebral discs. When the patient lies in a relaxed state, he does not feel pain, since the sciatic nerve is inactive at this time. But as soon as he starts to raise the limb, the nerve immediately stretches, causing pain.
Three degrees of the syndrome
It is not necessary to be a doctor to determine the Lasegue symptom in yourself: it can be detected at home with a simple procedure. But it is still better to turn to a professional who will do it as efficiently as possible. Diagnosis is as follows: the doctor asks the patient to lie down on the couch and move the limb. The higher the leg is raised, the more pronounced the symptom. Pain usually peaks when the limb is at a 60º angle to the surface.
Doctors distinguish three degrees of Lasegue syndrome:
- First - the pain occurs only when the leg is at an angle of 60º.
- Second - acute pain is typical when the limb is raised to 45º.
- Third - the patient can only raise the leg as much as possible by 30º.
It is clear that the latter degree is characteristic of a more serious disease than the first. In this case, the doctor is obliged to immediately interrupt the diagnosis as soon as the patient becomes sick. Otherwise, a person may experience a tear of nerve fibers and, as a result, paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
Main species
Medicine distinguishes three types of symptom:
- Positive symptomLasegue. It occurs gradually when the leg is raised, but disappears when it is bent at the knee and hip joint. It can talk about compression of the sacral and lumbar roots, which most often occurs with osteochondrosis and sciatica.
- Negative. When bending the limb, the pain does not disappear. Doctors say that in this case it can be caused by the pathology of this part of the body. The patient is sent for an additional examination to find the real causes of pain. By the way, they are often psychological in nature: they are observed in hysterical women, depressed people.
- Pseudopositive symptom. It is found when a person's muscles of the back of the thigh are very weak. It is usually seen in older patients. In this situation, an orthopedic consultation is required.
Depending on the variety, the patient is prescribed appropriate therapy.
Osteochondrosis
This is one of the most common causes of pain. Symptom Lasegue with osteochondrosis is characterized by acute pain that spreads over the entire surface of the thigh. Its range is wide: from the buttocks to the very foot. In such cases, the patient is prescribed drug therapy. Treatment of osteochondrosis involves taking drugs that belong to four groups:
- Drugs based on vitamin D. It improves the absorption of calcium. Contraindication: increased content of this element in the patient's blood. Side effects are kidney stones.
- Drugs, actionwhich is aimed at reducing the release of calcium from the bones and reducing pain. For example, Alostin and Calcitrin. In rare cases, the body reacts negatively to their intake: nausea, vomiting, and hypertension develops.
- Therapy aimed at the treatment of osteoporosis. It includes drugs such as Bivalos, Fosamax, Bonviva. They block the process of bone resorption.
- Female hormones - estrogens. Among their functions is the prevention of increased bone fragility. The most popular are Proginova, Klimonorm or Estrone.
In addition to drugs, the patient is prescribed physiotherapy exercises and other necessary procedures.
Sciatica
The causes of the Lasegue symptom originate from this disease. In addition to him, the patient also has other symptoms: Neri - the connection between bending the head and lower back pain, Bahretev-Fayerstein - the affected limb begins to hurt when the he althy leg is raised. The patient is prescribed the following medications:
- Non-steroidal drugs that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects: Ketoprofen, Diclofenac, Flurbiprofen, Indomethacin, etc. They help to quickly eliminate the main symptom of sciatica - pain.
- Muscle relaxants stop spasms of skeletal muscles. Despite the many side effects, they are able to eliminate the compression of nerve fibers. For example, Tubocurarine, Doxacurium, Rapacuronium. By the way, they are also prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Also,To eliminate the Lasegue symptom in sciatica, the patient is prescribed narcotic analgesics. But this is only in critical cases, when the pain is simply unbearable and is not relieved by other medicines. The patient is also advised to take antidepressants and vitamins.
Prevention
To prevent the Lasegue symptom, as well as the development of dangerous diseases associated with it, preventive measures can be taken. They also protect a person from osteochondrosis and sciatica. And even if the patient is already sick, they serve as an excellent addition to drug therapy. Among them are the following procedures:
- Gymnastics. If you devote at least half an hour a day to physical activity, you can achieve an increase in bone mass by 5%.
- Massage. It improves blood circulation in the muscles.
- Sunbathing. Ensures the intake of vitamin D, without which the absorption of calcium would be impossible.
It is also recommended to give up bad habits that have been faithful companions of numerous diseases since ancient times. Also learn how to eat right. Refusal of fatty, smoked, fried, canned food will only benefit the body. If, in addition, you balance the intake of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and enrich the diet with vitamins, fiber and other useful substances, you can achieve full he alth, good physical shape, youth and beauty.
