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Disc prolapse is a medical condition that is also known as a spinal hernia. The diagnosis of a prolapsed disc is not always easy, because the pain that results from this condition is radiating and may indicate an injury to the leg, hip or pelvis, for example. What are the causes and symptoms of a spinal hernia?
Disc Loss – Characteristics
Disc prolapse is a hernia of the intervertebral disc, which is one of the basic structural elements of the spine. A characteristic feature of each intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus, which may extend beyond the intervertebral space for various reasons. The protrusion puts pressure on the spinal cord or other nearby nerves. Disc prolapse can occur in any part of the spine, but the most common diagnosis is a hernia of the lumbar spine. The disk plays an important role in the spine, because it absorbs the loads our spine is exposed to every day. The falling off of the disc may be a consequence of carrying too heavy loads, an injury, an injury or overloading the spine with incorrect body posture while standing or sitting.
Disc Loss – Causes
As previously noted, a disk loss may be caused by various factors. One of them may be back injuries caused by carrying too much loads. The causes of disc loss may include physical work, intensive training, a sedentary lifestyle or a complete lack of physical activity, as well as overweight and obesity. A hernia of the spine occurs much more often in people who, due to the lack of exercise, have neglected the condition of the back muscles. The lack of support from the muscles, which often act as a corset or frame, increases the risk of the disc falling out. It is also worth mentioning that the causes of disc prolapse include congenital defects of the spine, genetic conditions or abnormalities in the structure of the spinal canal.
Back pain can also be the result of rheumatoid ankylosing spondylitis. In this case, it’s best to do genetic testing.
Disc loss – symptoms
Symptoms of a prolapse of a disc are manifold and the list is very long. The specific symptoms are listed depending on which part of the spine has hernia. Among the general symptoms of disc prolapse, attention is drawn to:
- back pain of more or less intensity;
- the radiating nature of the pain, often located in the lower extremities;
- numbness or tingling in the limbs;
- sensory disturbances;
- increased muscle tone;
- muscle cramps;
- sciatica or brachialgia;
- restriction of mobility within the spine;
- limitation of overall fitness;
- muscle stiffness and weakness;
- headaches, migraines, dizziness – applies to a hernia in the cervical region;
- intercostal pain, shoulder blade pain, chest pain – refers to a hernia in the thoracic segment.
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Disc Loss – Treatment
If a disc prolapse is suspected, an appointment with a general practitioner should immediately be made, who will refer the patient for further treatment to an orthopedist, neurosurgeon or physiotherapist. In order to correctly diagnose and locate a hernia, an X-ray is taken, which can be extended with magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. At the beginning, conservative treatment is applied to relieve pain and prevent inflammation. In the treatment of disc prolapse, manual therapy or other physiotherapeutic procedures are most often used. If there is a significant hernia or disc rupture, surgery is required.
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