Uneven height of intervertebral discs. Complications in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. How does a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs develop?

Such a pathological process as a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs is a fairly common phenomenon. This disease affects the intervertebral discs and surfaces of other articular parts. Insufficient therapy of the disease can lead to the development of vertebral instability, the formation of hernias or ankylosis.

Causes of a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs

Intervertebral discs are the formation of cartilaginous tissue, consisting of the annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus. It performs a shock-absorbing function, affects the flexibility of the spine, and maintains normal motor activity of the spinal column. Its supply of nutrients occurs by diffusion with the help of periarticular soft tissues, since the cartilaginous formation itself does not have blood vessels. With insufficient nutrition, the body of the disc is dehydrated, decreases in height, the fibrous ring can spread. With advanced forms of the disease, growths are formed - osteophytes. This condition greatly reduces the motor activity of the affected area. The decrease in the height of the disks occurs due to the following reasons:

• constant presence in a sitting position;
• poor circulation;
• metabolic disease;
• physiological changes;
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• injury.

An unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, constant stress or pregnancy can provoke changes in the height of the intervertebral discs.

Manifestations

Reducing the height of the intervertebral discs occurs in 4 stages, which are described in the table:

How is it diagnosed?

To make a correct diagnosis, you need to contact a specialist, for example, a neurologist. To begin with, the doctor must collect a reliable history, conduct tactile and visual examinations. Then additional diagnostic studies are prescribed to confirm the diagnosis. These include:

• X-ray. It will help to detect small changes occurring in different structures of the vertebrae, for example, cervical discs.
• MRI. It will make it possible to notice pathological abnormalities in the spinal cord or to identify the formation of hernias, for example, in the lumbar region.
• EMG. Diagnoses pinching, trauma to nerve endings.
• Discography. Shows all manifestations of changes in the intervertebral discs.

Treatment Methods

For effective therapy, several complexes of influence are used. The attending physician prescribes physiotherapeutic procedures, massages, ridge stretching, exercise therapy, development of the muscular system, drug treatment. In rare cases, conservative methods of exposure do not help, then surgery is performed. It is impossible to completely get rid of changes in the height of the intervertebral discs. Therapy will only help improve the patient's condition and slow down the progression of the disease. With drug treatment, drugs are prescribed, which are presented in the table.

Complications

A number of complications can occur not only with insufficient nutrition of the vertebral parts. A change in the height of the intervertebral cartilage formation is observed after injuries or strong physical exertion. There are two types of complications that develop in parallel with this pathology.

Very often, when applying for an appointment with a therapist with characteristic complaints of pain in the neck and lower back, the patient receives a standard referral for an x-ray. Based on the results of this examination, a professional opinion of the radiologist is given. And it very often contains such a term as a decrease in the height of the disc in the lumbar or cervical region. In the thoracic and sacral spine, this pathology is less common. This is due to the limitation of mobility in these departments.

The decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs speaks primarily of severe dehydration (dehydration) of the cartilage tissue. Secondly, it is a characteristic feature for disc protrusion. The condition is a complication of long-term osteochondrosis. In turn, the protrusion of the fibrous ring is the risk of developing a hernial protrusion of the pulpous nucleus. Moreover, a disk rupture can happen at any time. It is impossible to predict the moment of this neurological catastrophe. Therefore, it is necessary to take timely measures for effective and correct treatment.

A decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc is always accompanied by prolapse and protrusion of its boundaries beyond the vertebral bodies. Do not think that this pathology will go away by itself. No, it will only get worse in the future. It is possible to restore the shape of the annulus fibrosus and its depreciation abilities only with the normalization of diffuse nutrition. To do this, you need to activate the work of the muscular frame of the back. And first you need to stop the pain syndrome. This is a treatment regimen using manual therapy methods in our clinic.

Moderate decrease in the height of the spinal disc

It is far from always that a decrease in the height of the spinal disc indicates that a stable protrusion has already formed. In the early stages of the pathological process, this phenomenon may be transient. Those. under the influence of negative factors, such as emotional stress or physical overload, dehydration of the cartilage tissue occurs. Then, as the general condition improves, hydration is restored by diffuse exchange and the height of the disc is restored.

But even a moderate decrease in the height of the discs should be considered as a negative signal to start the process of restoring the spinal column. In the absence of osteochondrosis and degenerative changes in the cartilage fibers, there can be no pathological signs in patients. Even under the influence of extreme factors. Even after a very heavy physical load, with a healthy state of cartilage, the intervertebral discs restore their anatomical shape within 2-5 hours.

Reducing the height of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine

Most often, in a modern person, a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine is determined on an x-ray image, and this is far from an accident. There are several reasons for the increased risk of destruction of the fibrous ring in this particular department:

• sedentary lifestyle and lack of regular physical activity on the muscular frame;
• malnutrition, when the diet is rich in fast carbohydrates and refined foods and does not contain fresh vegetables and fruits, sea fish and omega fatty acids at all;
• constant injury to the cartilaginous discs during sudden movements, bending, jumping;
• wearing shoes with heels (for women) deforms the entire configuration of the lumbar spine, shifting the physiological center of gravity anteriorly;
• incorrect setting of the foot in the form of flat feet and clubfoot;
• curvature of the spine in the adjacent sections;
• inflammatory processes, rheumatism, etc.

It is worth noting that a decrease in the height of the lumbar discs rather quickly leads to the formation of a hernial protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. Therefore, with radiographic signs of a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs, effective treatment should be started immediately.

In our clinic of manual therapy, patients are invited to receive a free consultation from a leading specialist. During the appointment, the doctor will talk about how the treatment can be carried out and what potential results can be obtained.

Reducing the height of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region

Very often, the images show a decrease in the height of the cervical discs C4-C5 and C5-C6, since they bear the main static load when performing certain actions during monotonous work. Accordingly, people engaged in sedentary work in offices are susceptible to pathology.

The decrease in the height of the discs of the cervical region is accompanied by serious pain in the collar zone. At the end of the working day, the patient experiences a strong tension in the muscles of the neck and an attack of headache with localization in the back of the head. There may be sensations of muscle weakness and numbness in the upper limbs.

If you do not treat the decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region, then this can lead to the development of vertebral artery syndrome. It will be expressed in violation of the blood supply to the posterior cerebral structures. It can provoke an increase in blood pressure, severe headaches, dizziness, decreased mental performance, and depression.

For the treatment of cervical protrusion, it is better to use manual therapy methods. This will effectively and safely restore the height of the intervertebral disc and eliminate the risk of comorbidities.

The human spine is the main bearing axis of the body and not only provides the ability to walk upright, but also protects the spinal cord from damage and external factors. The intervertebral discs perform a shock-absorbing function, allowing you to reduce the negative impact of stress and possible injuries.

Decrease in the height of the lumbar intervertebral discs is common in older people and is a common pathology that requires special attention.

The structure and structure of the intervertebral discs make it possible to withstand the enormous loads that the human body experiences daily. Even while walking and running, the spine receives a certain load, which varies for each person depending on body weight, height and other individual characteristics.

If we consider the structure of the intervertebral discs, we can distinguish the following elements:

• ring - consists of tissue, which in its structure is similar to tendons;
• nucleus - consists of fibrous tissue, which is similar in structure to cartilage.

By their structure, intervertebral discs do not imply the presence of blood vessels, so nutrients can only come to them from surrounding tissues, such as muscles.

In the event that a patient has muscle atrophy or other disorders that lead to insufficient intake of useful elements, the intervertebral discs begin to suffer and experience a lack of nutrients.

It should be borne in mind that all parts of the spine are interconnected directly by the core of the disk, therefore, with a restriction in the supply of nutrients, tissue dehydration occurs, the disks themselves become fragile.

All this leads to a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs. In the event that tissue nutrition does not improve and is not restored, the disc core can harden and become similar in structure to bone tissue. Most often, this is how it develops.

Mechanical compression can also cause a change in the height of the intervertebral disc. This happens as a result of an injury or increased load that the spine cannot cope with.

At the same time, along with a change in height, the development of other pathologies also occurs:

• disc protrusion is observed in the absence of damage to the fibrous ring;
• occurs in case of violation of the integrity of the fibrous ring.

Symptoms

Pathology manifests itself with various symptoms depending on the stage of development and the causes of the appearance. At the very beginning, the change in the height of the discs is almost asymptomatic, not appearing at rest and even under certain loads.

Some patients note a slight stiffness in movements and some discomfort during bending, which disappears after a short warm-up.

By spine

The development of pathology in the future is most often accompanied by pain. In this case, the symptoms differ depending on the part of the spine in which destructive changes occur:

If violations are observed in several departments at once, then we are talking about widespread osteochondrosis.

Note. Symptoms of the disease at the initial stage of development may be mild or not bother the patient at all.

At the same time, it is worth noting that treatment should be started as soon as possible in order to reduce the risk of developing further disorders and worsening the condition.

If the patient is worried about pain and discomfort in the neck and head, and he does not know what it is, then the decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region is progressing and requires immediate treatment.

Diagnostics

Pain and discomfort are inherent not only in osteochondrosis, but also in other diseases that are destructive and degenerative in nature. For example, with development, or pain in the lumbar region can be of the same acute nature and spread to the thigh region.

In order not to worsen your condition by self-medication, you should contact a specialist who will prescribe a number of diagnostic measures that will help determine the disease that caused unpleasant symptoms.

To begin with, the doctor will examine the patient, draw up a primary clinical picture and select diagnostic methods:

In addition to these methods, clinical blood and urine tests are additionally prescribed to identify possible inflammatory processes in the body.

Important! Before taking medications, you should undergo a diagnosis and consult with a specialist, since the wrong choice of medications can worsen the condition.

Treatment

Unfortunately, not every pathological process can be treated and completely eliminated with using drugs and other means. But this does not mean that you should not take action to improve your condition.

First of all, after the diagnosis, the specialist will be able to make a diagnosis and choose a treatment that is suitable for a specific case and certain features.

Treatment can be conservative or surgical. The most preferred are drug treatment and physiotherapy procedures. since any surgical intervention involves certain risks.

Drug treatment is aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome, as well as improving blood circulation and metabolism in the tissues surrounding the intervertebral discs:

1. To reduce the inflammatory process and relieve pain syndrome are used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs- "Nise", "Ketanov", "Meloxicam".
2. Used to improve blood flow "Eufillin" such as electrophoresis.
3. Muscle relaxants necessary to relieve spasm from the muscles and to improve blood flow. The most popular are "" and "Tizanidin".
4. Vitamin complexes"Milgama" and "Yunigama" contribute to increased metabolism and overall improvement of the body.

Important! Only the attending physician should deal with the selection of the method of treatment and medicines, since the independent choice of drugs can worsen the condition and affect the functioning of the internal organs.

Also during treatment, you should observe a sparing regimen for the back, avoid overloading and lifting weights. Physiotherapy is necessary to improve blood circulation, for example, and.

Surgical intervention is used when conservative methods do not bring the desired effect and cannot stop the development of pathology.

Preventive actions

Timely access to a specialist and competent treatment are very important for restoring the body and maintaining health. But preventive measures can bring a positive effect, prevent the appearance and development of pathology:

Conclusion

Reducing the height of the intervertebral discs can cause daily inconvenience and pain. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, preventive check-ups and careful attention to one's own health help to avoid problems with the health of the spine.

) is quite common. The disease affects more than 80% of the world's population. Often, patients seek medical help when the situation has gone too far. To avoid complications, it is important to detect the problem in time and undergo treatment. You need to know how the decrease in intervertebral discs manifests itself, what it is, what factors provoke it.

To understand what intervertebral osteochondrosis is, you need to understand the human anatomy, find out how the disease occurs, how it develops. The spine is an important part of the human body. It consists of vertebrae and intervertebral discs. The spinal canal runs through the center of the spine. This canal contains the spinal cord. From the spinal cord, a network of spinal nerves diverges, which are responsible for the innervation of various parts of the body.

Intervertebral discs perform the function of a shock absorber (reduce the load on the spine), protect the spinal cord from damage. The disc consists of a central nucleus and an annulus fibrosus surrounding the nucleus. The core has a consistency similar to jelly. It consists of polysaccharides, proteins, hyaluronic acid. The elasticity of the core gives the fibrous ring - a dense tissue surrounding the core.

There are no vessels in the intervertebral discs. All nutrients come to them from nearby tissues.

Causes of intervertebral osteochondrosis

A decrease in the height of the discs develops as a result of circulatory disorders, a slowdown in metabolic processes, and a lack of essential nutrients (for example, in the cervical region). There are many reasons leading to malnutrition.
Risk factors for low disc height:

• Age changes;
• Hypodynamia;
• Excess weight;
• Improper nutrition;
• Heredity;
• Injuries;
• stress;
• Metabolic disease;
• Pregnancy;
• infections;
• Bad habits;
• Individual characteristics;
• Diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• Wearing shoes with high heels.

Often, negative changes in the intervertebral discs occur under the influence of several factors. For treatment to be beneficial, all causes must be taken into account. Together with therapeutic measures, try to eliminate them.

How it arises and develops

Under the influence of negative factors, the nutrition of the intervertebral disc is disrupted. The result is dehydration. Most often, the process occurs in the lumbar and cervical spine, less often in the thoracic.

Stages of development of intervertebral osteochondrosis:

1. Pathological processes occur in the intervertebral disc itself, without affecting nearby tissues. First, the disk core loses elasticity, then begins to collapse. The fibrous ring becomes fragile, the disk begins to lose height;
2. Parts of the core begin to shift in all directions. This process provokes the protrusion of the fibrous ring. The intervertebral disc is reduced by a quarter. There is an infringement of nerve endings, a violation of the lymph flow and blood circulation;
3. The disk continues to warp and collapse. At this stage, its height is reduced by half, compared with the norm. Against the background of degenerative changes, the spine begins to deform. There is its curvature (scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis), intervertebral hernia. Intervertebral hernia - rupture of the fibrous ring and the exit of the nucleus beyond its borders;
4. The disk height continues to decrease. Further deformation of the spine is accompanied by a shift of the vertebrae.

Due to degenerative changes, bone growths occur, concomitant diseases appear. Intervertebral osteochondrosis leads to the development of secondary sciatica, and even disability. Therefore, early detection of symptoms, timely diagnosis and treatment are of great importance.

Symptoms of pathology

Symptoms of the disease depend on the stage of its development. The onset of disc height reduction is often asymptomatic. Some patients report stiffness in movements. Further development of the disease is accompanied by pain syndrome.

Depending on the localization of the focus of inflammation, the following symptoms are distinguished:

• Cervical region: headaches, stiffness, numbness in the cervical region, dizziness, paresthesia of the hands, pain in the chest, upper limbs. Often, the defeat of this zone is accompanied by weakness, pressure drops, darkening in the eyes. Symptoms develop as a result of intervertebral discs that have changed their position.
• Thoracic department. Mild pain syndrome in this area (pain is dull, aching). Often there are symptoms similar to gastritis, intercostal neuralgia, angina pectoris. Reducing the height of the discs is accompanied by numbness and pain in the limbs, goosebumps in the chest area, discomfort in the heart, liver and stomach.
• Lumbar. Such localization is manifested by acute pain in the lumbar region, buttocks, lower leg, thighs, stiffness of movements. Reducing the height of the discs leads to paresthesia (impaired sensitivity) and weakness in the legs.
• Degenerative processes in several departments - common osteochondrosis.

If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. Early initiation of treatment can significantly reduce the risk of developing secondary disorders. If you start the disease, the consequences can be terrible, up to complete immobilization (disability).

Diagnosis of the disease

Often, osteochondrosis is manifested by symptoms similar to other diseases (sciatica, angina pectoris, etc.). Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is made only on the basis of the examination. Diagnosis of lower discs begins with an examination by a neurologist.

After clarifying the complaints and collecting an anamnesis, the doctor, based on the clinical picture, will prescribe additional instrumental diagnostic methods:

• Radiography is an effective method for diagnosing osteochondrosis. It allows you to detect pathological changes (for example, in the cervical region) even at stage 1 of the disease, when there are no symptoms yet. However, the occurrence of an intervertebral hernia at the initial stage of the X-ray examination will not show.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows you to identify intervertebral hernia, evaluate degenerative changes in the spinal cord.
• Electromyography (electroneurography) reveals damage in the nerve pathways.
• Discography allows you to explore all the damage in the structure of the disc.

It is impossible to completely cure the decrease in the height of the disks. You can only stop the development of pathological processes. The procedures are aimed at:

• To relieve pain;
• Improvement of blood circulation and metabolic reactions;
• Restoration of the mobility of the vertebral discs.

In this case, treatment can be conservative or surgical. It all depends on the stage of development of the disease. Treatment methods should be selected by a neuropathologist, based on the results of the examination and the clinical picture. Depending on the symptoms and the stage of development of the disease, various types of drugs are used:

• To relieve swelling and reduce inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nise, Ketanov, Movalis, etc.) are used;
• To enhance metabolism, vitamin complexes are prescribed (Milgama, Unigama);
• To improve blood flow - Eufilin, Trenetal;
• To relieve spasm, various types of muscle relaxants are used (Mydocalm, Tizanidin).

Medicines and their dosages should be selected only by a specialist. Do not self-medicate. This can lead to serious consequences.

Your doctor may prescribe various pain medications. In especially severe cases, drug blockade is used. During the treatment period, it is necessary to observe a sparing regimen for the back. Any load on the spine is excluded. The doctor may prescribe a course of physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises, massage, swimming. All these procedures help relieve muscle spasms, improve blood circulation and nutrition in the intervertebral discs.

Surgery is required only if long-term treatment does not work.

Preventive actions

Early diagnosis and proper treatment are important, but preventive measures also play an important role. Methods for preventing a decrease in the height of intervertebral discs:

• Proper nutrition;
• Maintaining the body's water balance (40 ml of liquid per 1 kg of body weight);
• Getting rid of bad habits;
• Weight loss;
• Performing special gymnastics;
• Reduce the impact of stress on the body.

In addition, it is necessary to avoid hypothermia, trauma to the spine, lifting weights. Once a year, you need to undergo a preventive examination, for the timely detection of problems with the spine.

Protrusion L5-S1- this is a protrusion of the intervertebral disc between the fifth lumbar and the first sacral vertebrae. This is the most frequently and dangerously affected area of ​​the spine.

The clinic of Dr. Ignatiev treats L5-S1 disc protrusion using non-surgical methods. Reception is by appointment.

According to statistics, the lesion of the L5-S1 disc is the most common among all lesions of the lumbar region, this pathology can be found in almost 45-50% of cases of all lumbar protrusions. In 10-11% of cases, there is a combination of L5-S1 and L4-L5 lesions (less often L3-L4). In almost 40% of cases, there are concomitant diseases: antespondylolisthesis, retrospondylolisthesis, disc herniation, uncoarthrosis, spondylarthrosis, etc. In almost all cases, the disease occurs against the background of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine (osteochondrosis).

Protrusion of the intervertebral disc L5-S1 can cause infringement of the right and left roots of the fifth lumbar and first sacral nerve roots, as well as a bundle of nerve fibers (cauda equina) in the spinal canal.

Posterior (dorsal, dorsal) disc protrusion l5-s1– general name for protrusions that can affect the structures of the nervous system (additional information on posterior protrusions);

Diffuse dorsal protrusion of the l5-s1 disc - protrusion in the direction of the nerve structures, which affected 25-50% of the disc;

Disk protrusions l4-l5, l5-s1 - a combined lesion of the disks in the segments between the fourth lumbar and the first sacral vertebrae.

Since the disease tends to worsen, treatment should be started as early as possible. Without adequate measures, protrusion is fraught with growth into an intervertebral disc herniation.

Since the lowest segment of the spine is affected, further physical activity is contraindicated and contributes to a decrease in working capacity.

When compression of the nerve roots occurs, pain occurs along the outer and back surfaces of the thigh and lower leg, foot and toes. There is paresis of the gastrocnemius muscle, pronators of the foot, long extensor of the big toe. The Achilles reflex disappears.

Infringement of the cauda equina leads to disability of the patient, loss of sensation and mobility in the legs (paraparesis of the lower extremities).

Treatment

Treatment should be as early as possible and directed to the cause of the protrusion in the lumbar region. Usually, the disease occurs when there is a violation of the biomechanics of the spine, an overload of certain segments.

Treatment is carried out by non-surgical methods, in most cases - without medication.