Hey! everyone, welcome to physiogain community, and we all know that nowadays the problem of the disc is very frequent and pivd (prolapsed intervertebral disc) is well known by each and every person in our society.
Today I will be telling you everything you need to know about the pivd (prolapsed intervertebral disc).
OVERVIEW
A prolapsed intervertebral disc is also known as a herniated disc or slip disc.
What is the intervertebral disc?
It is a disc-shaped structure that lies between two adjacent vertebral bodies.
It consists of 3 distinct components:-
- cartilage endplates – it is a thin layer of hyaline cartilage between two adjacent vertebral bodies.
- nucleus pulposus – it is a gelatinous material
- annulus fibrosus – it is composed of concentric rings of fibro-cartilaginous tissue.
It receives its nutrition from vertebral bodies via these endplates.
It acts as a shock absorber in the vertebral column.
SLIP DISC
In this condition, the annulus fibrosus (outer fibers) of the intervertebral disc is injured & the gelatinous material known as nucleus pulposus ruptures out of its enclosed space.
Most commonly occurs at the posterior-lateral region of the intervertebral disc.
This protrusion can also disturb or irritate nearby nerves.
It can result in pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms/legs.
STEPS/STAGES IN WHICH SLIP DISC OCCURS
- Stage of degeneration (no bulge):- Degenerative changes occur in the disc and these changes cause softening of the nucleus and its fragmentation, weakening, and disintegration of the posterior part of the annulus fibrosus.
- Stage of protrusion (just a bulge):- when the annulus fibers become weak and nucleus pulposus tends to bulge out from this defect.
- Stage of extrusion (out, but in contact):- nucleus pulposus comes out of annulus and lies under the posterior longitudinal ligament, but doesn’t lose contact with the parent disc.
- Stage of sequestration (out, no contact):- the extruded disc loses its contact from the parent disc.
WHAT CAUSES A SLIPPED DISC (pivd)?
The cause of a slipped disc in the people working in the same profession where some people develop slip disc and others don’t, is not known.
factors that may include the risk of developing slip disc:-
- jobs involving lots of sitting. (especially driving)
- jobs involving lots of heavy lifting.
- weight-bearing sports. (weight lifting)
- being overweight (obesity)
- smoking
- Increasing age ( as we grow old, our body becomes weak )
- Less water content in intervertebral disc
- falling from a significant height
SYMPTOMS OF SLIPPED DISC
- Weakness involving one or both arms or legs.
- In severe cases, loss of control of bladder, bowel movement.
- Lower back pain (chronic) is dull and diffuse usually made worse by exertion, forward bending. sitting or standing in one position for a long time.
- Pain may be radiating to the leg (sciatica), the pattern of radiation of the pain to the leg depends upon the compressed nerve.
- Numbness, pins, needles in one or both arms or legs.
- SLRT (straight leg raising test):- This test indicates nerve root compression. A positive SLRT at 40 degrees or less is suggestive of root compression.
TREATMENT FOR SLIPPED DISC
In most of the cases, around 80% to 90% of the cases, prolapsed discs settled by themselves, and their symptoms almost disappear.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle –
your lifestyle determines who you are and what you are made of, your eating habits, the food you put inside your stomach is key to your treatment too. A healthy lifestyle includes everything such as your sleep cycle, your eating habits, your mental status, your physical status or you can say your complete well-being.
exercising regularly –
It helps in giving relief in the pain of prolapsed disc by strengthening the muscle that supports your spine. it not only gives you relief from your pain but also makes sure that it will never happen again.
Improve the posture –
your bad posture makes the situation of prolapsed disc get worsen so improve your posture and ask your physiotherapist about the correct posture of sitting and standing to get the maximum out of this in your treatment.
physical treatment –
you can also visit a chiropractor or osteopath for your treatment and it may provide you relief but that relief is just temporary or short-term comfort. For more effectiveness, it should be accompanied by regular exercises.
Medication
Surgery –
Surgery is also an option for its treatment but it can only be considered when the symptoms are very severe and have not settled after at least 6 weeks or so.
the main aim of the surgery is to cut out the prolapsed disc and relieve the pressure on the nerves.
with surgery, here too comes a risk that’s why surgery is only recommended only in severe cases.
I hope that I achieve the target of making you understand the topic of pivd (prolapsed intervertebral disc).
If you are suffering from any problem related to intervertebral disc then please contact us or comment down here.
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