Chemical RadiculitisChemical irritation of nerve tissue has been proven in the lab, but the human body is not the same type of controlled environment. The body has shown definitive proof that it can and will metabolize most spilled disc proteins over time, although the rate of this process may vary. Furthermore, many patients demonstrate obvious contact between interior nucleus proteins and nerve tissue, yet suffer no escalation of symptoms at all. All these factors continue to fuel the fire of debate when it comes to the validity of the chemic irritation diagnosis. What is Chemical Radiculitis?
When an
intervertebral disc
develops a hole or ruptures, the nucleus proteins might exit the compromised disc wall structure. If these proteins come into contact with the
spinal nerves,
there is a chance that the proteins might have an irritating effect which can elicit symptoms in some patients. Why certain patients experience symptoms from this structural condition and others do not is still being studied, but may have something to do with each person’s individual neurological sensitivity.The specific protein theorized to do the most damage to nerve tissue is called tumor necrosis factor-alpha. It is a known cause of apoptosis (cellular death) in certain cells. Some of the debated variables in the diagnosis include the ability of the chemicals to effectively cause irritation over time, the rate the chemicals will be absorbed by the body and the degree and diversity of symptoms each patient might experience. Spinal Nerve Root Irritation TreatmentThis particular form of radiculitis sometimes resolves all by itself. The body might eventually absorb all the irritating proteins, although in some individuals, this process may take a very long time. The back pain industry generally fights CR using epidural injections which are designed to neutralize and flush away the nucleus proteins, hopefully resolving the painful symptoms. For accurately diagnosed patients, these injections have a reasonable chance of ending their pain. Some patients are treated using back surgery procedures to remove disc proteins and decompress affected spinal nerve roots. This is often a dire mistake, since most disc conditions should be treated non-surgically to avoid commonly experienced risks and complications.Other conservative therapies are generally considered useless for CR sufferers and are therefore contraindicated. However, some medical professionals cite examples where exercise therapy may help the body to resolve the proteins, while others see prolotherapy as a possible injection alternative to epidurals. Chemical Radiculitis AdviceIf you are unlucky enough to be one of the sensitive people who might be suffering from a CR condition due to a ruptured disc, take heart. Injection therapy is a good bet and offers acceptable results at very low risk. If multiple rounds of back pain injections, combined with other conservative therapy options do not resolve your pain, you must consider the very real possibility that your pain might have been misdiagnosed. This is a common occurrence for back pain sufferers and was the reason why I suffered from chronic back pain for 18 long years of my young adult life.Being that chemical irritation is a controversial model for pain, the opinions you will likely receive will vary greatly from doctor to doctor. It may be best to ask several doctors about their thoughts on the diagnosis before deciding to pursue treatment. Chemical Radiculitis to Back Pain 3/18/09 Revised 12/27/11 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
Mission Statement
Editorial Board
Legal
Privacy Policy
Site Funding Disclosure
Source Material