Lumbar osteochondrosis is one of the most common forms of the underlying disease, osteochondrosis itself.Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are equally defined in both men and women, manifests itself in the form of pain concentrated in the sacral region, which is reflected in its symptoms in the lower limbs, which patients often independently define as "stretched lumbar nerve".
General description
The most frequently discussed form of osteochondrosis develops against the background of back injuries and a sedentary lifestyle;Therefore, people whose special professional activities include loads that affect the back are automatically at risk of developing this disease.And it's not just office workers who, of course, belong to this group, but also loaders, builders, service workers (for example, waiters), drivers, etc.
The heredity factor also plays an important role in the context of discussing thoracic osteochondrosis.There is neither much nor little here, but there is a probability of about 60% if the disease is in close relatives.The rest is influenced by environmental factors that, to one degree or another, affect the spine.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, as well as its other forms, is characterized by pain of varying severity, which can be painful, appear after sleep or in the same position for a long time (long sitting, standing), as well as shooting and sharp.In the latter version, they arise as a result of prolonged adoption of a not very comfortable posture, the simultaneous impossibility in such a situation to perform actions aimed at alignment, thus eliminating such a posture along with the load it provides.Painful sensations themselves arise as a result of tingling under the corresponding influence of the nerve roots, as well as irritation of the nerves of the spinal column, ligaments and muscles (concentrated in the area of innervation, that is, the actual location of the nerves of the region that controls it) and well.
It is important to note that this type of osteochondrosis in an isolated form is extremely rare, and therefore, the course of the disease is most often combined with the inherent symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, which we will discuss in our next article.
A general and early symptom, which is relevant for all forms of osteochondrosis, as already mentioned, is the manifestation of pain, which in this case is determined by a specific localization, that is, pain in the lumbar region.The spread of pain (radiation) can be noted on the hips and buttocks, as well as on the legs (from their outer surface).
The term used in the more extended version of osteochondrosis (degenerative-dystrophic lesion), which refers to the intervertebral disc, actually refers to an important complex with a wide variety of pathological conditions, which are directly related to different structures of the spine (spinal column), namely discs, joints and osteophytes.The same problems that are directly related to disc damage are its protrusion and discogenic pain.Types of osteochondrosis and areas of concentration.
Protrusion during lumbar osteochondrosis
Rashes develop most often in this area of interest to us;Moreover, it is a rash that causes pain in the lower back.The lumbar region itself, given its location and characteristics, is the most sensitive to the occurrence of certain functional problems.
That is, when considering this statement from one side, we can emphasize that our center of gravity is directly connected to the waist area and, therefore, it carries a significant part of the loads.Looking at it from the other side, you may notice that the significant range of motion again comes right around that waist.With this in mind, the greatest propensity for injury (just as we are concerned about a rash) appears precisely in the discs concentrated in the lumbar region.In addition, we must not forget that changes in discs in these and, of course, other areas also occur against the background of age-related degenerative processes.
Let's remind our readers what a rash really is.Interconnection of the discs in the spine is provided by discs based on cartilage tissue.The main components of the intervertebral disc are the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus, through which fixation is ensured within the vertebral disc.The influence of certain factors and conditions provokes the possibility of breaking this ring, against the background of which, in turn, core protrusion occurs.A hernia develops as a result of this process.As for the protrusion, it already develops as a result of a similar process, but without the accompanying rupture of the annulus - in this case it simply undergoes thinning, not rupture, because the core protrudes directly into the annulus.In fact, this protrusion is defined as a protrusion.
As for the symptoms of protrusion, it is manifested in the following:
- feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
- pain in the lower back;
- chronic back pain;
- Lumbosacral sciatica;
- Numbness, pain, tingling in fingers, feet;
- Violation of urinary function (in rare cases of the pathology in question).
Conservative treatment is mainly used for lumbar disc protrusion.Meanwhile, rashes that are developmentally significant are often accompanied by severe symptoms that are resistant to treatment;In this case, surgical intervention is no longer possible.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms
In this form of osteochondrosis, pain is manifested in different intensity variations.So, these can be aching pains that occur mostly after sleeping or sitting for long periods of time, or they can also be shooting pains that are sharp in onset.Moreover, the manifestation of the latter is often observed at the moment of taking an uncomfortable position without the ability to straighten.Any type of pain is directly related to the nerve endings, muscle swelling, irritation and pain that the nerve roots are exposed to.Pain is also associated with irritation of the lumbar ligaments in the area of innervation of its nerve endings.
In this form of osteochondrosis, increased pain in the lower back is observed during coughing and sneezing, including during body movement (especially when bending forward).
Lumbar osteochondrosis can also be manifested, in addition to back pain, in the form of sensory disturbances in certain areas (skin, lower half of the body, leg muscles).It is also possible that the tendon reflexes in the legs are weakened or disappear completely.As a rule, it is osteochondrosis that causes the development of curvature of the lumbar spine.
Depending on the specific plane of actual curvature, osteochondrosis is divided into the following types:
- Kyphosis - in this case there is a flattening of the lumbar region, often the arch of its back;
- Lordosis - the spine bends forward;
- Scoliosis - the spine is bent to the left or right.
As a result of the development of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region, stretching of the roots of the spinal cord often manifests itself in the form of a number of specific disorders, namely defecation or urination disorders, disorders related to sensitivity in the genital or perineal area.
As a rule, the pain appears (and also worsens) as a result of the impact generated during physical activity.A painful reaction in this case can be observed both after this load and after some time from the moment of its impact.Basically, patients' complaints in this regard end with the appearance of dull and aching pain in the lumbar region, and in some cases it radiates to the leg, which is defined as lumbodynia.In addition, there may be complaints of pain in the leg with its strengthening when trying to lift something heavy (lumbago).The same applies to sneezing and coughing, rocking, changing body position, and staying in the same position for a long time.
As a result of the aggravation of the mentioned disease, there is a constant and pronounced tension in the back muscles, which is manifested in the inability to perform actions aimed at alignment or movement.Any movement is accompanied by increased pain.In addition, even if the patient spends a short time in cold conditions, he experiences acute lower back pain (which is also defined as "lumbago").
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis are also manifested in the following:
- decreased sensitivity in the hips, buttocks, legs and feet (which is less often observed);
- spasm of leg arteries, cold feet;
- Tingling sensation in the legs, "goosebumps";
- peeling and dryness of the skin in a place where there is usually a loss of sensation or pain;
- Sweating disorders.
The most unpleasant complication that occurs against the background of osteochondrosis is the instability of the spine, during which the disc stops properly fixing the spine.This, in turn, provokes the lumbar region under the influence of gravity from the sacrum, when the load occurs in the lumbar region.As a result, not only unpleasant disorders can develop, but also dangerous disorders that affect the work of internal organs.The genital system "suffers" in particular;This manifests in men as potency problems and in women as problems with the appendages, uterus and ovaries.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis
According to the most complete classification, a number of specific syndromes relevant to lumbar osteochondrosis have been identified.In particular, this includes the following syndromes:
- reflex syndromes - these are lumbar ischalgia, lumbago and lumbago;
- Radical syndromes – vertebral (or discogenic) sacrolumbar radiculitis, the course of which is mainly accompanied by damage to the first sacral root or the fifth lumbar root;
- Radiculo-vascular syndromes - radiculoisemia is manifested by the process of vascular compression (in particular, veins or arteries are subject to compression), and the compression occurs along with the root.
Let's briefly list what are the listed syndromes.
LumbodyniaIn particular, this refers to chronic pain that gradually appears after a long period of an uncomfortable position with the body or long sitting, as well as after physical activity and after impact on the body and a specific area.
Lumbagomanifests as acute lower back pain, which is characterized by "lumbago";Lumbago usually occurs when lifting heavy objects or when moving unsuccessfully.Sometimes lumbago is observed even after coughing or sneezing.
Diseases accompanying lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs not only with pain and other listed symptoms, but also with some characteristic diseases of internal organs.
Thus, more than 30% of patients with clinical symptoms corresponding to lumbar osteochondrosis report some problems with liver or gastrointestinal tract functions.The fact is that the presence of a specific disease of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas or liver provokes pain impulses, tension and spasm of blood vessels and muscles, which leads to a state of oxygen starvation in certain areas of the body with the simultaneous development of the degenerative process.The process is aggravated by the metabolic disorders accompanying this type of disease.
In addition, as already mentioned, lower back pain can provoke the development of diseases in the pelvic organs.Women can experience such a disease as inflammation of the appendages (which is defined as adnexitis), while men, on the other hand, experience all the "pleasures" of prostatitis, that is, inflammation of the prostate gland.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis are also accompanied by congestive events in the pelvic area, which develop as a result of the above-mentioned diseases, including chronic colitis, hemorrhoids, and constipation.
treatment
Basically, the treatment of osteochondrosis is multi-component and quite difficult to implement.Basically, all treatment measures are based on the following points:
- drug treatment;
- surgical treatment if necessary;
- diet
- Physiotherapy.
For aggravation of the disease, it is necessary, first of all, for the patient to stay in bed.The main recommendation for this part is a hard/hard sleeper.Extremely pronounced attacks require minimal physical activity and prompt consultation with an appropriate specialist.The appearance of symptoms that indicate the possible relevance of lumbar osteochondrosis requires contacting a neurologist.