Neurological diseases >>>> Radicular syndrome - what is it?

Radicular syndrome - what is it?

Compression (squeezing) of the spinal roots (nerve branches extending from the spinal cord) can cause pain in various areas of the body and organs. This kind of pain syndrome is called "radicular syndrome". Since the system of innervation of the body is quite branched, the radicular syndrome often occurs in areas far enough from the spinal column. So a person can experience pain in the area of internal organs (heart, stomach) or in the extremities, as well as in various areas of the body adjacent to the spinal column (in the cervical region, lumbar region).

The cause of the radicular syndrome lies in various kinds of traumatic effects on the nerve branches of nearby tissues, bone structures, which in turn undergo pathological changes (mixing, crushing, cracks, overgrowth) or inflammatory processes of an infectious or other nature. Normal tissue edema caused by inflammation can compress the nerves and cause radicular pain.

Compression (compression) of the spinal roots leads to degenerative processes in the structure of the nerves, which can affect the work of nerve fibers in different ways: disrupt the conduction of nerve impulses or distort the pathways of their conduction. It is for this reason that a nerve clamped near the spinal column gives off painful sensations in a distant region, which is entwined with nerve branches extending from the injured nerve, and can also cause disturbances in the motor function of the muscles innervated by this nerve.

Diagnosis of the causes of radicular syndrome includes the search for areas of injured spinal roots using X-ray studies, magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment of the radicular syndrome is correlated with the causes of the compression of the radicular nerve. If the cause of the compression is edema, then anti-inflammatory drugs Diclofenac and Nurofen are prescribed (injections and topically). In case of trauma to the spinal root associated with diseases of osteochondrosis, kyphosis and the like, exercise therapy is indicated, which will help release the nerve root from compression. For disorders in muscle structures (spasms, numbness), muscle relaxants and massage are indicated. During treatment, pain symptoms are relieved with the help of analgesics (baralgin, ketorol) and, in difficult cases, by blockade.

In case of compression caused by a growing tumor, hernia, surgical treatment is prescribed to remove the tissue causing the compression. Surgical intervention is also carried out when it is impossible to free the nerve root from the traumatic factor in a conservative way.

To support metabolic processes and prevent dystrophic changes in the injured nerve, therapy with B vitamins is performed.

Prevention of the occurrence of radicular syndrome includes a mobile rather than a sedentary lifestyle, performing a set of exercises that involve various muscle groups, maintaining correct posture and dosing weights, which, when lifted, can compress the nerve roots.