Introduction
Disc protrusion is a degenerative, i.e. wear-related, disease of the spine. As the name suggests, this involves the protrusion of an intervertebral disc into the spinal canal. This can lead to a compression of nerve fibres or even parts of the spinal cord, which usually causes severe pain or even neurological symptoms.
The disc protrusion is often referred to as an incomplete herniated disc. In contrast to a complete disc herniation (prolapse), however, there is no tearing of the shaping fibrous ring of the disc. A therapy of this disease is lengthy, but in most cases leads to freedom from symptoms. A surgical intervention is rarely performed.
Symptoms
In many respects, a herniated disc can be considered a preliminary stage or a mitigated form of a herniated disc (prolapse). Its symptoms are similar to those of a mild disc prolapse. However, it should also be noted that many cases of a disc protrusion are completely free of symptoms or are only associated with minor discomfort.
They are then (if at all) often discovered only as a chance finding in the context of the examination of another disease. If a disc protrusion becomes conspicuous, this usually happens with quite severe pain. Depending on the height of the spinal column at which the bulge occurs, different nerve fibers can be damaged, so that the pain is located in characteristic body regions.
As in other spinal column sections, this can be back pain on the one hand. Especially for the lumbar spine (lumbar spine), however, pain in the buttocks, legs and feet, but especially in the front and side thighs, as well as on the back of the foot, is typical. In addition, neurological symptoms can occur in these body regions.
In this context, especially non-painful sensations (paresthesia) and numbness are among the classic symptoms of a disc protrusion. These discomforts can manifest themselves in very different ways. Frequently a tingling, “formication” or itching is described.
If the disease is more severe, it can eventually lead to motor disorders with a feeling of weakness and rapid exhaustion of the leg muscles. All these symptoms can increase or decrease in intensity depending on the current posture. For example, an intensification of the complaints when bending down is often described.
Often a disc protrusion of the lumbar spine is completely painless. Even in the case of suddenly reappearing pain, a painless disc protrusion has often existed for many years. If the bulge develops very quickly, it can be accompanied by severe pain.
Especially if the disc bulges in the direction of the spinal canal and presses on the nerve fibres, this can lead to severe pain. The pain itself is described as dull pain in the hollow back of the lower back. It is deep and can flare up and sting even with slight movement.
In addition, unfortunately, the lumbar spine often also shows symptoms along the exiting nerves. Pain from the spine, over the buttocks, up to the legs, feet and toes can result from this. For therapy, it is of enormous importance to reduce these dull pains in the lumbar spine with painkillers. Only through movement and targeted muscle strengthening can the disc protrusion of the lumbar spine be controlled in the long term. Until this point is reached, painkillers must be used to enable pain-free movement of the spine.
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