Radiculitis, Sciatica

Sciatica, sciatica

The most common disease of the peripheral nervous system, which affects the bundles of nerve fibers that extend from the spinal cord, the so-called spinal roots. The most common cause of radiculitis is a disease of the spine (osteochondrosis), in which the intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers, lose their elasticity and become fragile. At the junction of the vertebrae with the altered discs, salts are deposited, forming bone growths, so-called osteophytes - protrusions that, during physical activity, together with the discs, are displaced into the lumen of the spinal canal and intervertebral foramina, compressing the spinal cord roots passing here and causing pain.

Often with osteochondrosis, such a displacement occurs due to a sudden movement (turning the body, head, etc.). Radiculitis can also occur as a result of injury, hypothermia of the body (for example, after a long stay in cold water, sitting on damp ground, etc.), intoxication, as a complication of infectious diseases, etc.

The most characteristic manifestations of radiculitis are pain along the affected nerve roots, impaired sensitivity, and sometimes movement disorders. Typically, radiculitis develops acutely, in many cases it becomes chronic with periodic exacerbations.

Depending on the level of damage, various forms of radiculitis are distinguished. The most common is lumbosacral radiculitis, in which pain of various types is localized in the lumbosacral region and along the sciatic nerve. The pain intensifies with movement, so the patient avoids sudden movements; when walking, he tilts his torso forward or to the side, transferring the weight of the body to the healthy half, which sometimes causes a lateral curvature of the spine and strains the back muscles. In bed, the patient, in order to reduce pain, usually takes a forced position with the leg brought to the body.

When the lumbar roots are predominantly affected, the pain is distributed to the anterior surface of the thigh. Lumbosacral radiculitis with a predominance of damage to the roots of the sacral region, from which the sciatic nerve is formed, is also referred to as “sciatica”.

With sciatica, pain spreads along the sciatic nerve (in the buttock, posterior outer surface of the thigh and lower leg, heel), accompanied by sensations of coldness in the leg, numbness of the skin, and “crawling goosebumps.” The muscles of the affected leg lose tone and become flabby, and later atrophy somewhat. Tension of the sciatic nerve (when bending the body, when raising a straight leg, etc.) leads to a sharp increase in pain.

With cervicobrachial radiculitis, the pain “radiates” to the back of the head, shoulder, shoulder blade, intensifying when turning the head, moving the hand, sneezing, coughing. In severe cases, there are sensations of numbness, burning and tingling in the skin of the hand, impaired sensitivity, muscle weakness and “weight loss” (atrophy) gradually develop.

Thoracic radiculitis is quite rare and is manifested by pain in the intercostal spaces, aggravated by movement and deep inspiration.

Treatment of radiculitis is carried out by a doctor; it is aimed mainly at eliminating the causes that caused radiculitis. Success largely depends on the timely initiation of treatment. Along with painkillers, physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, spinal traction, and spa treatment are widely used.

Self-administration of thermal procedures and painkillers usually gives only a temporary effect. Recovery is possible only with persistent comprehensive treatment. In the prevention of radiculitis and its exacerbations, an important role is played by therapeutic exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the relevant areas of the body, as well as physical education and sports and hardening of the body, which increases resistance to cooling and physical activity.