Displacement of intervertebral discs. Possible causes, symptoms, diagnostic tests, medical advice and treatment

2024 Author: Curtis Blomfield | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 20:44

Displacement of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar or neck is considered a serious disease, which is due to the fact that several vertebrae change their position. Such a deviation in the body can be observed in people of different ages. Various factors can contribute to the development of this disease, ranging from elevated body temperature to age-related changes, which are directly related to changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs. Let's look at what are the symptoms of a displaced disc in the lumbar region, and what treatment is required.

Causes of displacement of the vertebrae

Before treating a disease, it is necessary to establish its causes. Displacement of the intervertebral discs can occur for the following reasons:

1. First of all, the disease is associated with overexertion in the lumbar region. When a large load is placed on the discs, the vertebra gradually begins to shift, while narrowing the vertebralchannel.



2. Vertebrae can shift even at a very young age. In this case, it would be most correct to speak of a pathology that is associated with a weak bone structure of the intervertebral column. In a sick person, it will be possible to note not only the curvature of the spine, but also the displacement of the hip joint.
3. With age, changes can also occur in intervertebral tissues. As a rule, this leads to pinching of the nerve process and, if the assistance is not provided in time, can even lead to paralysis of the limbs.

Naturally, these are not all the reasons that can contribute to the displacement of the intervertebral discs, but they are considered the main ones.

How to recognize the displacement of the vertebrae?

Recognize the displacement of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region is not so difficult, just pay attention to the following signs:

1. A person will experience discomfort in the lumbar region with any movement.
2. Particular attention should be paid to the pain, it can be sharp, or it can be aching.
3. After minor exertion, pain in the legs appears.
4. Muscles become weak.
5. Feeling numb in limbs.
6. The gait changes over time.

Pain syndrome can be attributed to the very first signs of the disease. At a young age, a child may complain of pain not only in the lower back, but also in the legs. Adults, on the contrary, will complain of pain in the thoracic and cervical regions. If they squeezenerve roots, then a radicular syndrome develops, which is given by pain almost throughout the body.

Stages of disease

Displacement of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar can be divided into five main stages, each of them indicates how much the spine has shifted:

1. If the deviations are minor, amounting to only 25%, then the disease can be recognized only with the help of X-rays. The patient will be able to feel slight pain, all other symptoms will be absent.
2. Displacement of more than 30% is recognized faster, as a sick person will suffer from constant pain in the vertebral region. The pain will be especially pronounced after the slightest physical exertion.
3. Sharp and prolonged pain indicates that the displacement in the vertebrae could occur at 50%. The person will experience stiffness in movements, in addition, there are violations in the process of urination.



4. When deviations occur by 75%, this means that the disease is progressing greatly. Irreversible changes begin in the spine.
5. In the last stage, weakness appears in the limbs, gait changes, and at the slightest movement, acute pain appears, which accompanies the patient almost constantly.

Treatment should be started at the first stage, but since it is recognized only when X-rays are taken, any symptom should not be ignored, this is already a reason to see a doctor.

Symptoms

Displacement of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region can be completely asymptomatic, for example, if there is no pressure on the vertebrae. Therefore, some people can learn about their disease only after they have been diagnosed. It should be noted that all symptoms can be divided into general and particular, it all depends on the place of occurrence of the disease.

1. General: most often there are paresthesias, when a person feels goosebumps under the skin, a slight tingling in the lower back, passing into the legs. Tendon reflexes may also change with general symptoms, for example, a person may complain of muscle weakness.
2. Partial symptoms can only be associated with the place in which they occur. For such cases, impaired sensitivity and function of the pelvic organs become characteristic.

Symptoms of a displaced intervertebral disc can be very diverse, for example, in children this disease occurs most often in a mild form, but adults suffer much more.

Diagnosis

Only a doctor can accurately determine whether there is a displacement of the vertebral discs or not. As a rule, with such pathologies, it is best to seek help from an orthopedist or chiropractor. A complete diagnosis of the disease includes the following points:

1. If there is a suspicion of displacement of the intervertebral discs, the doctor should carefully question the patient. The patient must provide reliablefacts about your condition, tell about all your symptoms and their duration.
2. After taking an anamnesis, the doctor examines the patient. First of all, the patient's back and limbs are felt. Also, the therapist may ask you to make different movements that will help determine the location of the disease.
3. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, hardware studies are prescribed. Such studies include an x-ray, on which you can see the angle of displacement. MRI is most often prescribed for the displacement of the intervertebral discs, with the help of this procedure it is possible to determine the exact level of damage to the nerve roots and spinal cord.
4. Many specialists at the first suspicion of displacement of the vertebral discs prescribe an anterior spondylogram to their patients. It lies in the fact that an x-ray is taken, but a contrast agent is not added. With this diagnostic method, you can clearly see the condition of the tissues.

As soon as the doctor can get all the diagnostic data, he prescribes the necessary treatment.

Treatment

Treatment of displaced intervertebral discs can be carried out in two ways: conservative method and surgical intervention. Conservative treatment is to remove unpleasant symptoms as soon as possible, so doctors prescribe this therapy:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
2. Some steroid medications can be taken orally.
3. Physiotherapy in the affected area is mandatory.
4. A massage is scheduled.
5. Injections of certain drugs into the epidural area are given.

In total, all treatment is aimed at strengthening the back and abdominal muscles, and the instability of the spinal column should also be eliminated. The doctor will be able to assess how often and how much a person is bothered by pain, in which case drug therapy with various anti-inflammatory drugs is prescribed.

Conservative treatment

Conservative treatment of intervertebral discs must be carried out in a complex:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve pain and inflammation in the body. These drugs include Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Butadion, Dimexide. It is important to remember that Diclofenac is prescribed for adults at a dosage of 50 mg 3 times a day, it all depends on the severity of the disease. As for "Ibuprofen", for adults the dosage is 600 mg 4 times a day.
2. Analgesics are prescribed individually for each person.
3. Anspasmodics are actively used in the disease, which help to relax muscles and eliminate stiffness of movements.
4. On the painful area of the spinal column, such actions as sessions of special he alth-improving physical education can also be applied. Such methods help to remove numbness of the lower extremities, and if there is a displacement of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region, then it is physical education that helps restore blood circulation.
5. An effective method of dealing with displacement of the vertebrae isprofessional massage. With it, it is possible to remove the blockade from the muscles, reduce spasms. Massage is most often an effective method of treating the disease, both in the early stages and in the later stages, but it can only be prescribed as an adjunct to general therapy.

Treatment of lumbar intervertebral discs is prescribed exclusively by a specialist, depending on the severity, only a doctor can decide whether the patient needs surgery or not. All recovery procedures must be performed sequentially. It is important to remember that traditional medicine cannot be considered the main method of treatment. For a quick recovery, these methods should be used as a supplement.

Effective therapy

There are several methods that will help in the process of restoration of intervertebral discs:

1. Ultrasound therapy, allows you to apply alternating current, affecting the diseased area using ultrasound.
2. Physiotherapy techniques are considered excellent ways to restore the body after an illness. These include many types of procedures, such as hydrotherapy and mud therapy. In some cases, electrophoresis can be used, baths with s alt and radon are prepared, paraffin therapy is considered active. All activities can be applied individually, but are often taken in combination, which helps to get the best result.
3. A wonderful option for recoveryafter such a disease as the displacement of the intervertebral discs, is reflexology. For example, in parallel with taking medication, acupuncture or other manual procedures can be performed. Such actions help to strengthen the body, and the effect of the procedures themselves is on the affected area.
4. Additionally, massage can be used to restore the body. It is advisable to do it after taking a bath with dried mint and birch leaves.

For a complete recovery, you can use completely different methods, but it is important to remember that first of all you will need to consult a doctor who will prescribe the initial medication.

Treatment with folk methods

In no case should you self-medicate, since the displacement of the intervertebral discs can be completely cured only in the initial stage. If the disease is advanced, surgery may be required. Alternative methods of treatment of displacement of the vertebrae:

1. Effective are baths with different oils that have a calming effect.
2. Rice decoction is considered an excellent folk remedy. Hot rice is placed on a cloth bandage, fixed in the place where the pain occurred.
3. The vulnerable spot can be rubbed with warm sunflower oil, after that you can rub raw potatoes and apply it for a while.
4. After consulting a doctor, you can also use the old method using glass jars. As soon as the cans are removed, the place where they were placed must be greased.



5. You can also use thyme compresses. Such a compress should be done at night. The ground grass is applied to a gauze bandage and fixed in place where severe pain occurs.
6. An ointment is considered a wonderful folk remedy, which is prepared from fat, oil and ground chestnut. Chestnuts must be carefully chopped, and then moved in equal amounts with camphor oil and fat.
7. A radish compress will help get rid of pain. It is enough to strain 100 ml of juice and moisten gauze in it. Wet cloth should be wrapped around the lumbar region. It is necessary to pass with such a compress for two days, but only if the sick person does not feel a burning sensation in this place.

Absolutely after all the procedures, you should try not to make sudden movements, especially not to allow stress in the spinal region. Proper nutrition also plays an important role in the process of complete and rapid recovery.

Prevention

A person who has gone through the restoration of intervertebral discs should remember about preventive measures in the future and take care of their he alth in every possible way. First of all, it is necessary to ensure sufficient physical activity, it should be moderate. If a person is busy in a sedentary job, then it is imperative to monitor your posture, do not lean forward or to the side. It is advisable to ensure that you do not have to stand for a long time, you cannot linger in one position for a long time, you can transfer the load from one leg toanother.

When you have to carry weights, it is best to use a backpack for these purposes, in which case the load will be evenly distributed over the entire back. To pick up something from the floor, you need to carefully sit down, and not bend down.

Some people suffering from displaced intervertebral discs themselves begin to use special belts to support the back and corsets, but without a doctor's prescription, such actions can only reduce the tone of the spinal muscles, thereby provoking even more displacement to the side.