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The spine is the most important part of the human skeleton and is responsible for posture, movement, and the protection of certain organs. Unfortunately, the spine, like the rest of the human body, is exposed to various diseases and ailments. Some of them are easy to detect and treat, while others are rarely detected. Schmorl’s nodules are an example of changes that are sometimes not so easily detected. What are they characterized by? What are the causes of their occurrence and how can they be treated? In the following article, we provide the most important information about Schmorl nodules.
What is a Schmorl nodule?
Guzkami Schmorla are specific changes in the spine that often do not show any symptoms and are therefore difficult to detect. They are found in quite a large group of adults, especially the elderly, although they also appear in children and adolescents. They are less common in women than in men. Their occurrence is very common. It is estimated that they may affect up to 40-80 percent of people. Schmorl nodules They are characterized by a characteristic protrusion of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc to the vertebral body. They usually concern the thoracic and lumbar spine.
Schmorl’s lump was first described in 1927 by Christian Georg Schmorl – the German pathologist who gave the name to these specific changes on the spine.
What are the symptoms of a Schmorl nodule?
As we already mentioned, Schmorl nodules often they go undetected because they don’t show any symptoms. They are most often found by chance, usually as a result of research related to another disease or ailment.
About pain in the case of Schmorl nodules we usually speak of it when the result is a displacement of the intervertebral disc. It can then put pressure on other vertebrae and lead to the development of inflammation. In more serious cases, such inflammation can even cause necrosis.
For other symptoms Schmorl nodules These include fatigue of the perivertebral muscles, segmental blocks of the spine visible in the X-ray image and a change in the position of the spine in the form of excessive thoracic kyphosis. If we are dealing with guzkami Schmorla located in the lumbar region of the spine, then severe paroxysmal pain may occur.
What are the causes of a Schmorl nodule?
About occurrence Schmorl nodules many hypotheses have already been put forward. Some researchers claim that they arise as a result of various overloads and injuries of the spine or developmental disorders within the spine. Other scientists are looking for the causes Schmorl nodules especially in the case of vitamin D deficiency.
You must also not forget that the causes Schmorl nodules there can also be various diseases and ailments that weaken the spine. Among them, there are mainly Scheuermann’s disease, Paget’s disease, osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, as well as some autoimmune disorders.
The risk of occurrence Schmorl nodules it is greater if there have been cases of such changes in the family, as well as in tall people and those whose spine is particularly stressed. This applies, inter alia, to high-performance athletes.
Schmorl’s lump – what is the diagnosis?
Schmorl nodules is most often detected in imaging tests, including in X-ray of the spine. Their presence can also be detected after performing magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging turns out to be the most effective among the methods of diagnosis. Changes in character Schmorl nodules they are rather easily distinguishable from other lesions, however, in some cases they may be confused with, for example, neoplastic lesions.
How are Schmorl nodules treated?
In a great many patients Schmorl nodules they do not give any symptoms, therefore in many cases they are not detected at all. Treatment Schmorl nodules it usually begins when changes of this type cause, for example, pain. There is no single effective treatment for this condition, so your doctor may suggest different treatments depending on your case and your experience in treating this condition. Most often, patients are recommended treatments and other methods to stabilize the spine, for example an orthopedic corset, and the so-called vertebroplasty. Physiotherapeutic treatments and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also frequently used methods.
Surgical treatment is used in very rare cases Schmorl nodules.
Correct body posture also plays an important role, which is why the people in whom it was detected Schmorl nodules, they should take care not to slouch and sit in the right position at the computer. Physical effort is also important, but one that does not burden the spine. In this case, swimming in the backstroke will be perfect.