Introduction
A herniated disc often results in compression of the nerve root in the spinal canal. Either the disc itself or the gelatinous content of the disc presses against the spinal cord. In this case, the nerve tissue is very sensitive and easily damaged, which can lead to pain, sensitivity disorders and possibly paralysis.
Symptoms
If the nerve root is irritated or a pressure is applied to the nerve over a longer period of time, it is damaged and leads to problems. The symptoms of nerve entrapment vary depending on the height of the herniated disc. If the damage occurs at the level of the cervical or upper thoracic spine, the patient notices this by a reduction in function or pain in the upper extremities.
In the case of a lumbar spine herniation, the legs are affected by symptoms. The most common symptom is pain. If nerve structures are injured, nerve pain, including neuropathic pain or neuralgia, can occur.
The nervous system itself is therefore the source of nerve pain and therefore also a treatment target. Nerve pain is often burning, tingling, stabbing and/or suddenly shooting. The pain can radiate and sometimes affect large areas.
Often patients cannot localise the pain precisely because it is very diffuse. Some sufferers suffer from allodynia: in this case, they experience severe pain when they touch the affected skin. The nerve pain causes sleep disturbances and concentration difficulties for the patient, especially if it lasts longer.
Anxiety and depression are further possible consequences of long-standing nerve pain. The inflammation in the case of a herniated disc is caused by a pressure load on the nerve due to the position of the disc. Inflammation of the nerves (neuritis) can cause complaints of varying degrees.
Sensitivities such as tingling and formication are typical symptoms of nerve inflammation. At the same time, more severe symptoms such as paralysis, nerve pain and complete loss of sensitivity in the areas supplied by the inflamed nerve can also occur. It is discussed whether the pain in a herniated disc is caused by the inflammation or by direct nerve damage.
In fact, both factors probably play an important role in the development of pain. One indication that the pain is largely caused by the inflammation is that anti-inflammatory drugs often relieve the pain of a herniated disc. These drugs inhibit the development of inflammation and have a positive effect on the symptoms of affected patients.
The most common medications used for pain due to inflammation are ibuprofen, diclofenac and ASA. In the same order, they are most frequently used for herniated discs. In the case of chronic use of these medications, care must be taken to ensure that an additional medication to protect the stomach (e.g. pantoprazole) is taken to avoid complications in the digestive tract.
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