Schmorl's Hernia

Schmorl's hernia

Schmorl's hernia (ch. g. schmorl; synonym: Schmorl's nodule, Schmorl's cartilaginous nodule) is a herniation of the intervertebral disc, in which part of the nucleus pulposus emerges through defects in the endplates of the vertebrae into their spongy substance.

This pathology was first described by the German pathologist Christian Georg Schmorl in 1923, which is why it bears his name.

Causes:

1. injuries and microtraumas of the spine;
2. osteoporosis and other diseases that weaken bone tissue;
3. physical activity leading to increased stress on the spine.

Clinical manifestations of schmorl hernia are usually absent. In some cases, there is pain in the lumbar or thoracic spine.

Diagnosis is based on MRI and CT data of the spine. Treatment is mainly conservative and consists of eliminating pain. Severe pain may require surgery.

Prevention of schmorl hernia includes preventing osteoporosis, quitting smoking, playing sports and exercising to strengthen the back muscles.

Schmorl's is a characteristic pathology of the spine in the form of a herniated disc, which appears as a result of a rupture of the fibrous ring and a breakthrough of the contents of the nucleus through the resulting gap. When the disc gelatinous contents of the intervertebral disc rupture, the nucleus loses its shock-absorbing effect, falls into the pulpous space of the spinal canal and puts pressure on the nerve roots. Such a hernia is called a Schmorl's hernia. Pain syndrome is associated with irritation of the spinal nerve roots passing through the area of ​​damaged intervertebral discs. The disease most often occurs in the lumbar spine, the most mobile part of the skeleton. With Schmorl's hernia, these symptoms appear only in the later stages of the disease. At first, the patient may experience discomfort in the spine or slight pain with prolonged exercise. During the development of the disease, the patient experiences: 1. unbearable pain at rest and during exercise; 2. pronounced swelling and tenderness of nearby tissues: muscles, bone structures, pain points; 3. decreased sensitivity and paresthesia in certain areas of the body; 4. weakness of the muscles located near the hernia, stiffness of movements; 5. limitation of the range of movements up to their absolute absence, so the patient experiences difficulty walking and performing basic body movements; 6. the appearance of monostial pain to the left or right of the spine; 7. deformation of posture - the patient is slouched, shoulders drooping down; 8. curvature of the spinal axis, caused by pathological changes in the shape of the vertebrae, compression of the nerve roots of the spinal column. This disease negatively affects the functioning of internal organs. Compression of the spinal tissue can lead to changes in the functioning of the stomach and intestines, disruption