One of the causes of back pain may be discopathy occurring with root compression. How does it manifest itself, what causes it and how can it be treated?
What is discopathy?
Discopathy is spinal disorderThis is a condition in which the intervertebral discs, known as discs, are damaged - elastic elements that lie between the bony structures of the spine. Their function is to facilitate the spine's range of motion and to cushion it. The loss of the properties of intervertebral discs can cause them to slip out from between the vertebrae and form a herniation causing painful compression of nerve roots and the spinal cord. Over time, this process causes slow degeneration of the fibre ring and protrusion of the disc nucleus pulposus, which often causes compression and dysfunction of the surrounding nerve structures. This process is usually spread out over time, with certain stages and specific complaints. One of these is a sudden pain incident, often referred to as a 'prolapse' of the disc. Discopathy - the causes of its formation. There can be many causes of discopathy. The most common include impaired metabolic processes in the disc tissue and excessive pressure on the intervertebral discs. Damage to intervertebral disc structures occurs due to, among other things:
- genetic factors
- spinal injuries,
- postural defects,
- a sedentary lifestyle,
- physical work that places a strain on the spine,
- obesity,
- improper lifting and carrying techniques,
- intensive physical activity without adequate preparation,
- injury
- advanced age.
- With pain and symptoms of root damage;
- With pain and no signs of root damage;
- No pain but symptoms of root damage;
- No pain and no signs of damage, but radiographs show pressure on the root.
- In period I, acute pain is present, with no radiological changes.
- Period II is the development of inflammation and structural changes.
- In period III, chronic pain occurs along with an excessively stiff spine and degenerative changes.
- root pain,
- foot drop,
- weakening of leg muscle strength,
- sensory disturbances, in the functioning of the sphincters.
- positioning therapy,
- treatments such as TENS, iontophoresis, laser, magnetic field,
- manual therapy,
- Kinesiotaping
- strengthening and stretching exercises
Discopathy - types of disease
Discopathies are also divided according to their severity:
Symptoms associated with discopathy
The pain does not always occur in the course of the disc, but when it does, it usually radiates along the course of a nerve: shoulder, arm, groin, buttock, thigh, shin or foot.Symptoms of cervical and lumbar discopathy also include altered or impaired sensation and tingling or numbness sensations, called paresthesias on the limb A serious symptom of lumbar discopathy is incontinence, and cervical discopathy is headache. The occurrence of sudden, severe pain may also indicate a rupture of the fibre ring. In most cases, this heals and heals spontaneously and the pain decreases and the progression of the disease is temporarily halted. Occasionally, however, the disc extends beyond the rim and neurological symptoms such as:
In addition, when scoliosis develops or lordosis is abolished, the mobility of the spine can be restricted.
Discopathy - physiotherapy and treatment
In most cases of discopathy, conservative treatment is sufficient: in the form of pharmacotherapy consisting of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, and extensive physiotherapy, which includes:
Physiotherapy for discopathy aims to reduce pain, reduce muscle tension and strive for muscle balance between antagonistic groups, as well as restoring normal spinal mobility.In more severe cases, epidural injections administered into the area of nerve compression in the spine are used, and in 3% patients, surgical treatment is indicated. The final decision on surgical treatment is always made by the doctor.
