Disc protrusion of the lumbar spine | Disc protrusion

Disc protrusion of the lumbar spine

Although disc protrusions can occur at any height of the spine, in the majority of cases they occur at the level of the lumbar spine (lumbar spine). The segment between the lumbar vertebrae (LWK) 4 and 5 is most frequently affected. Here again, the cause is usually due to incorrect and excessive loading of the spinal column, for example by lifting heavy loads.

The lumbar spine is even more affected by this, since lever forces and the weight of the lifted load have a particularly strong effect at this point. The first symptoms finally occur when nerve fibres, usually the spinal nerves, are compressed by the disc protrusion. This then usually leads to pain in the regions of the body supplied by the nerves.

In the case of the lumbar spine, these are mainly the buttocks, legs and feet, but especially the lateral and front thighs and the backs of the feet. In addition, numbness and tingling sensations may also occur. The treatment of the band-disc protrusion is in most cases purely conservative.

This includes on the one hand the training of the lower back muscles and posture training. In addition, the lifting of heavy loads should be avoided urgently. A therapy of the pain is usually initially carried out with over-the-counter painkillers, especially ibuprofen and diclofenac.

Summary

The intervertebral disc protrusion is a bulge of the fibrous ring (Anulus Fibrosus) of the intervertebral discs into the spinal canal and occurs increasingly with age. It is also called disc protrusion and can show different symptoms. Depending on its location and extent, it can be painless or even very painful, although the pain may radiate into other parts of the body.

The causes of such a disc protrusion are different and range from genetic factors, to muscle weaknesses, to injuries and years of incorrect strain. The treatment of a herniated disc is carried out with the help of various conservative therapeutic approaches. These include above all an adequate pain therapy, which is carried out with medication as well as physiotherapy and physiotherapy exercises.

The drugs used here are anti-inflammatory (antiphlogistics) and pain-relieving (analgesics) and usually belong to the class of non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs. Other therapeutic approaches include acupuncture, heat therapy, electrotherapy and patient training in the form of so-called back schools. In such back schools, patients learn how to behave in a way that is appropriate for their back and train the back and surrounding muscles in a targeted manner.

Surgery is usually not indicated, but is in principle similar to the treatment of a herniated disc (prolapse). The best prophylaxis of a herniated disc is sufficient movement and back-friendly behaviour. Static sitting positions and incorrect loading such as bending over and lifting heavy loads should be avoided. Strengthening of the back muscles by means of sport and sufficiently alternating pressure loads on the intervertebral discs are recommended.