Vertebral hernia develops due to damage to the vertebral discs, when the disc extends beyond the vertebrae and pinches the spinal cord. Vertebral hernia pinches the spinal nerve and nerve roots, causing pain in the back.
Introduction to the disease
Pain in the spine is not the only complication of a vertebral hernia. In some cases, pinching of a vertebral hernia is possible, leading to all kinds of disorders in the internal organs, loss of sensation in different areas of the body, loss of motor ability of the muscle tissue of the arms and legs. The worst thing a vertebral hernia can lead to is disability.
As a rule, vertebral hernias affect people in the age category of twenty-five to fifty-five years. Vertebral hernia can develop due to a disorder of metabolic processes in the discs or be a consequence of fibrous tissue diseases, due to which insufficient amounts of nutrients and moisture enter the disc cells. Nerve endings suffer from a lack of nutritious blood and pinching.
In the presence of osteochondrosis, the likelihood of a vertebral hernia increases several times. Many doctors consider osteochondrosis as the first stage of development of a vertebral hernia. In the process of development of the first, processes of dystrophy and degeneration occur in the tissues of cartilage. And dead cartilage tissue accumulates in the form of salt deposition. Salt deposits in the spine with heavy loads on it cause the development of disk deformation, during which nerve trunks are damaged or the spinal canal narrows.
Causes of vertebral hernia
Common causes of the development of a vertebral hernia are the adoption of an incorrect body position while sitting or lying down, lack of development of muscle and bone tissue, and too heavy loads on the spine.
In anticipation of the development of a vertebral hernia, there may be all kinds of injuries and injuries, for example, severe bruises and sprains, fractures of the spine of varying severity.
In some cases, vertebral hernias may develop due to hereditary causes and a genetic predisposition.
Vertebral hernia, sciatica and other diseases of the bone and cartilage of the spine are considered as a consequence of its curvature of various stages. In this regard, there is a need to regularly carry out preventive measures of curvature, starting from the earliest childhood and throughout the life course. Timely established curvature and its therapy makes it possible to avoid major problems with the spine in the future.
Vertebral hernia prophylaxis and treatment
If the first manifestation of curvature is detected, in order to prevent a vertebral hernia, it is necessary to seek help from a neurologist, orthopedist, or specialist in manual therapy. Treatment of the disease in the early stages of development gives incomparably more effective results.
Quite often, the only manifestation of a vertebral hernia can be pain in the back. Therefore, as soon as the first discomfort appears, you must immediately go to a specialist. Diagnosis of a vertebral hernia is carried out on the basis of several methods – clinical examination, ultrasound diagnostics, x-rays, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
Treatment of vertebral hernia involves drug and surgical therapy. A specific treatment regimen is selected individually for each patient, depending on the degree of the disease, location and size of the vertebral hernia. Conservative treatment in combination with massage can give good results only in the treatment of vertebral hernia at an early stage of development.