If a person has intervertebral hernia , he may face such an unpleasant complication of this disease as pinching. As a result, the patient feels a sharp pain that occurs due to pressure on the nerve endings. Most often, discomfort occurs in the lumbosacral region, since this part of the spine is under the maximum load.
Symptoms of a pinched hernia
The main sign of complications is acute pain. Sometimes an unpleasant feeling is concentrated not only in the back: it also radiates to the leg or buttock. In parallel, the patient is faced with numbness of the lower extremities or tingling. Also, symptoms of pinching are:
- muscle weakness;
- pathological changes in gait;
- neck pain.
If the hernia is compressed very strongly, the patient may experience muscle atrophy or even paralysis. There is also a dysfunction of the internal organs, which are deformed under the influence of the disease. Therefore, it is extremely important to consult a doctor immediately. The specialist will prescribe the patient bed rest, physiotherapy, medications and ointments.
How to diagnose a pinched hernia
A neurologist may suggest a pinched hernia in a patient, focusing on the symptoms. Often, however, simply taking a history is not enough. Therefore, the doctor prescribes additional examinations, which include:
- CT and/or MRI;
- conventional radiography;
- myelography (a study using a contrast agent).
Before visiting the doctor, the patient may take an analgesic to relieve pain. No other action is recommended. In no case should you apply a warm compress to the sore spot. Exposure to high temperature will only increase discomfort and lead to the formation of edema.
If you can’t immediately go to the doctor, you should immobilize the affected part of the spine. To do this, you can use a scarf or a special belt. After that, you should lie down on a hard surface and observe bed rest.
How is a pinched hernia treated?
Modern procedure offers many ways to deal with this condition. First of all, the techniques include exercise therapy and massage . Also, the doctor may recommend to the patient physio , reflex and magnetotherapy , electrophoresis or treatment using UHF.