Radiculitis

Short characteristic of a disease

Radiculitis is a disease of a nervous system which is characterized by defeat of roots of spinal nerves. The main symptom of this disease – a dorsodynia or a neck in the place of damage.

Radiculitis reasons

Radiculitis arises owing to an inflammation of spinal nerves. The main reason for a disease – osteochondrosis which was not cured in time. Old spine injuries, hernias nuclei pulposi, adjournment of salts on cartilages and joints can sometimes provoke a disease. In some cases stressful situations, disbolism, infectious diseases, a raising of weights can give an impetus to development of a disease.

Radiculitis symptoms

The main symptom of radiculitis is pain which localization depends on the place of damage. Pain can be stupid or acute and sharp, periodic or constant, bringing the patient to an exhaustion. Also decrease in an animal force, numbness in extremities, a pricking and burning is observed.

Types of radiculitis

Radiculitis is subdivided into such types depending on the place of damage of spinal nerves:

- cervical;

- cervicobrachial;

- cervicothoracic;

- chest;

- lumbar.

Cervical radiculitis – is characterized by defeat of roots of spinal nerves in cervical department of a backbone. The main symptom of cervical radiculitis is neck pain which extends to muscles of hands. Pain has sudden character, can develop when bending the head, amplifies at unsuccessful turns and the movements of the head. It is difficult for patient to find a convenient pose for a dream, the sharp pricking neck and hands pains can disturb at night. Pain can be weakened a little, accurately turning or inclining the head. An animal force in hands up to total loss of sensitivity can weaken considerably.

Chest radiculitis – is characterized by localization of a disease in chest department of a backbone. It meets less than lumbar or cervical. Symptoms of chest radiculitis is pain, a pricking and numbness of upper extremities, and also decrease in an animal force. The osteoarthritis, disk hernia, an osteophyte, various spine injuries can be the reasons of development of this type of a disease.

Lumbar radiculitis is the most common form of a disease. Localization – lumbar department of a backbone. Sometimes lumbar radiculitis is called an ischialgia. This term means defeat of a sciatic nerve owing to what the patient feels severe unilateral pain in buttocks and a hip. The main symptom of lumbar radiculitis is the back pain which can give to buttocks or hips. Pain is sharp, has sudden character. It is very difficult for patient to find situation which can alleviate pain. The unsuccessful movements can sharply strengthen radiculitis symptoms, it is difficult to patient to find a convenient pose for a dream. At night the shooting scelalgias or a waist can disturb. Decrease in an animal force in legs is observed, sometimes sensitivity of the lower extremities completely vanishes.

Diagnosis of radiculitis

For diagnosis of a disease the doctor performs inspection in the place of damage for assessment of an animal force and volume of movements. Neurologic examination which includes check on sensitivity is conducted. One more diagnostic method of radiculitis is the X-ray analysis which allows to estimate changes which happen in a backbone. Also MPT and KT is used.

Treatment of radiculitis

Treatment of radiculitis – complex is also directed not only to decrease in pain, but also to recovery of mobility and normal functioning of vertebrae.

Drug treatment of radiculitis includes purpose of antiinflammatory drugs (Ortophenum, diclofenac), anesthetics, group B vitamins, and also the warming means. Except drugs, treatment of radiculitis assumes physiotherapeutic procedures, for example, ultrasound, an electrophoresis using medicines, dynamic current. At radiculitis physiotherapy exercises, manual therapy and medical massage are shown. Treatment of radiculitis includes both medicamentous, and non-drug methods that allows to reach the maximum effect.