Intervertebral disc wear | Pain in the intervertebral disc

Intervertebral disc wear

  • Synonyms:Chondrosis, Osteochondrosis, Discopathy
  • Location of the greatest pain:Diffuse in the area of the affected disc(s). – Pathology /Cause:Wear-related reduction in height and stability of the intervertebral discs. Growth of pain fibers into the intervertebral disc.
  • Age:Any age. Isolated discopathy younger patients; multilevel osteochondrosis older patients. – Gender:Women = Men
  • Accident:none
  • Type of pain:dull, pulling back pain
  • Pain development:slowly increasing complaints
  • Pain occurrence:Depending on the stage of the disease.

Pain intensified by prolonged lying down. Morning complaints. Improvement through movement.

Deterioration through strain. – External aspects:None locally visible. Possibly stiff back posture. Attempt to stretch the back. –

Pain in the disc – What to do?

Pain in the intervertebral disc does not always have to be treated surgically. The necessity of a surgical intervention in the presence of a herniated disc depends on several factors. But what can the affected patient do against severe pain if surgery is not induced?

First and foremost, it is important to relieve the perceived pain of the disc. For this purpose painkillers (analgesics) can be taken. Usually the attending physician prescribes painkillers such as Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drug.

In addition to its analgesic effect, Diclofenac has anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties. As this painkiller carries the risk of developing damage to the mucous membranes in the stomach, an additional stomach acid inhibitor should be taken. A further possibility to do something against the pain of the intervertebral disc is the drug therapy with light muscle relaxants (muscle relaxants), which should be taken before going to bed.

All these measures, however, primarily serve the symptomatic treatment without treating the actual herniated disc. In addition to fighting the disc pain, ideally a change of certain habits must be made. Through targeted physiotherapy, for example, the back muscles can be strengthened to such an extent that the spine is relieved.

Especially at the time when the pain in the intervertebral disc occurs for the first time, many affected people ask themselves what they can do as first aid measures until they see their doctor. In general, it is recommended to relieve the spinal column before consulting a suitable doctor. Many patients feel an enormous relief of pain when lying down with their lower legs elevated.

Intervertebral disc Pain in the area of the cervical spine (cervical spine) can be relieved by applying a stabilizing cervical collar. In addition, many patients describe the application of heat in the area of the aching intervertebral disc as pleasant. This fact can be explained by the fact that heat in the form of ointment, heating pad, hot water bottle or heat plaster, such as ThermaCare®, provides relaxation of the muscles.