Discopathy

Discopathy is a condition that occurs when one of the shock-absorbing intervertebral discs becomes misaligned and protrudes. The intervertebral discs consist of a strong, fibrous outer layer and a soft, gelatinous core. When the core is pushed outward, the shape of the disc is distorted. This is called disc prolapse. When the outer shell ruptures, a hernia forms in the disc. In both of these cases, the tissues surrounding the disc become swollen and inflamed.

The tissues where the swelling and inflammation are located, along with the disc, may press on a spinal nerve (e.g. the sciatic nerve resulting in sciatica), causing pain along the entire length of that nerve.

Discopathy most commonly affects people aged 25 to 45 years and is slightly more common in the male population.

Degenerative spondylarthropathy of the lumbar spine usually manifests itself with a slight backache, if it is more severe this simple backache does not disappear with a simple medication, it is with intense pain in the back and radiating to the back and gluteal areas and in more severe cases we are talking about hollow or hollow intervertebral discs, we have the lumbago plus sciatica i.e. lumbosacralgia and very rarely only sciatica which manifests itself with intense pain, often combined with burning , or numbness of the thigh.

As for the symptoms of the condition, these can develop over a few weeks or appear suddenly.

Generally, they include the following:

• Blunt pain in the affected area.

• Muscle spasm.

• Stiffness.

• Difficulty in movement.

If the disc is pressing on a spinal nerve, then the patient may experience other symptoms, such as:

• Weakness or limited movement of the leg or arm (if the affected area is in the neck).

• Numbness or tingling in the leg or arm (if the pain is localised in the leg or arm).

• Even more severe pain.

• Reduced bladder and / or bowel function.

Conservative Treatment

Treatment is usually conservative and includes rest, pain relief medication and physiotherapy. Physiotherapy and specific exercises will help to reduce pain, eliminate muscle spasms and speed up recovery.

Surgical Treatment

In some cases, surgery is required. Surgery may be recommended in severe cases of discopathy that do not respond to conservative treatments. Procedures such as discectomy, laminectomy or spinal fusion may be performed to remove the damaged disc, decompress the nerves or stabilise the spine.