With various diseases of the spine, such an unpleasant complication as dorsalgia can occur . It is characterized by pain that does not go away. Usually, this condition is due to the fact that the nerve fibers of the spinal cord are irritated.
Why dorsalgia occurs
Several factors contribute to the formation of complications. First of all, these are various pathologies of the spine. Also , diseases of the internal organs and disorders of the muscular system become the cause of dorsalgia .
The most common cause of complications is an intervertebral hernia. In this case, characteristic protrusions are observed in the region of the spinal column. Sometimes a so-called dorsal hernia can form, which is considered the most unfavorable outcome of the disease.
Characteristics of a dorsal hernia
This is the name given to the protrusion of discs located between the vertebrae into the lumen of the spinal canal. To understand the essence of pathology , it is worth understanding the structure of the vertebra. It consists of:
- body;
- several processes;
- arc.
The vertebral body acts as the anterior wall, the arch is the lateral and posterior walls. Since the vertebrae are located one behind the other, together they create the spinal canal, where the spinal cord is securely located with roots, which later turn into full-fledged nerves.
Intervertebral discs can be found along the entire length of the column, so they are present in both the cervical and coccygeal regions. In addition, each disk consists of:
- pulposus ;
- fibrous ring.
The formation of a dorsal hernia is associated with a breakthrough of the annulus fibrosus. In this case, the disk turns around and rushes towards the arc (ie, in the opposite direction). Because of this, compression of the nucleus is formed.
Causes of dorsal hernia
The exact cause of this anomaly has not yet been identified. However, it is believed that there are several factors that can trigger a dorsal hernia. These include the following.
- Mechanical injuries and impacts . For the spine, blows to the parietal part of the head, falls from great heights and heavy lifting are especially dangerous. In this case, the injury occurs in an axis parallel to the spinal column, and provokes the appearance of a dorsal hernia.
- Genetic disorders . If the parents have a problem with the spine, the same disorders are likely to occur in children.
- Disk power issues. Occur after 27 years, when the blood supply to the disc is completed. From now on, it must receive nutrition from the surrounding tissues. However, the process of nutrition directly depends on physical activity. If it turns out to be low, metabolic disorders occur and, as a result, the formation of a dorsal hernia.
It is known that people have a family predisposition to the appearance of a hernia. If a parent had such a problem, it is more likely for children to have it. Also, the formation of a hernia is affected by congenital features of the spine and a tendency to degenerative changes. Such a process is genetically determined, as well as the formation of a conventional hernia or osteochondrosis.
Is a dorsal hernia dangerous?
Such formations compress the spinal canal and contribute to the formation of stenosis. The larger the hernia, the stronger the pressure exerted by it. This effect is especially dangerous for the cervical region, since in this case a negative effect occurs for the upper limbs (sometimes such situations even lead to paresis).
In the thoracic region, dorsal hernias are practically not found. However, when formed, they cause not only pain, but also protrusion of individual parts of the spine. Then problems arise with the lower limbs and in the inguinal region.
However, the most dangerous form is the dorsal hernia of the lumbar spine (diagnosis code – L5-S1 or L4-L5). In this case, the pressure does not occur on the spinal cord, but on the nerve roots surrounding it. Because of this, the lower limbs also suffer, in which there are serious problems with the nerves.
How to Diagnose a Dorsal Hernia
The first thing a neurologist does when meeting with a patient is an examination and anamnesis. If the specialist suspects the presence of a hernia of the spine, he prescribes an additional examination. These include:
- x-ray of the spine;
- CT scan;
- MRI.
It is the latter method that better than others allows you to identify a dorsal hernia. It is better to choose an MRI of the closed type, since it is more informative. In this case, the doctor can determine the size and characteristics of the hernia located in the patient’s body in order to select the appropriate treatment option.
Conservative therapy
If the disease is at an early stage, it can be cured without surgery. Typically, such therapy is chosen if the patient has affected vertebrae from L5– to S1 or others that are in the range of 0.5–0.7 cm. Otherwise, conservative methods may simply be ineffective. Among the commonly used procedures for the treatment of hernia are the following:
- traditional therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- taking medications;
- physiotherapy .
In addition, patients are advised to wear supportive structures such as bandages, collars or corsets. The load on the spine should be reduced as much as possible. At the same time, only a doctor can determine how much you need to be in a supine position (this depends on the severity of the case).
After a while, the person may begin to engage in small physical activities. For starters, this is sitting, walking for a short time and similar actions. In no case should the patient lift weights: this is fraught with an increase in the dorsal hernia, after which it will put even more pressure on the spine. As a result, the patient’s condition will worsen: he will begin to experience constant pain and discomfort in the back. As a result, the only remaining treatment option will be surgery, which is a fairly complex operation performed under general anesthesia.