Lumbar osteochondrosis is one of the most common forms of the disease, osteochondrosis itself.Lumbar osteochondrosis, the same symptoms are defined in men and women, manifests itself in the form of pain concentrated in the sacral area, reflected in its symptoms in the lower part of the legs, which are often independently defined by the patient as "pinched lumbar nerve."
General description
Most often, the form of osteochondrosis under consideration develops against the background of back injuries and an inactive lifestyle;Therefore, people whose professional activities involve loads that affect the back are automatically at risk for the possibility of getting this disease.And these are not only office workers, who, of course, belong to this group, but also loaders, builders, service workers (waiters, for example), drivers, etc.
An important role is also played by hereditary factors in the context of considering thoracic osteochondrosis.Here, not much, not little, but about 60% probability is present if the disease is present in a close relative.The rest is influenced by environmental factors that, to one degree or another, affect the spine.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, like other forms, is characterized by pain of varying degrees of severity, which can be aching, occur after sleeping or after being in the same position for a long time (during prolonged sitting, standing), as well as shooting and sharp.In the latter version, they arise as a result of the prolonged use of not very comfortable postures with the simultaneous impossibility in the situation of the implementation of actions aimed at straightening, thereby eliminating such postures together with the load it gives.The painful sensation itself arises as a result of pinching under the influence of the corresponding nerve root, as well as nerve irritation in the spine, ligament and muscle irritation (concentrated in the innervation area, that is, the exact location of the nerve of the area that controls it) and swelling.
It is important to note that in isolated forms this type of osteochondrosis is very rare, and therefore often the course of the disease is combined with the symptoms inherent in cervical osteochondrosis, which we will consider in the next article.
The general and earliest symptom, relevant for all forms of osteochondrosis, as we have noted, is the manifestation of pain, which in this case is determined by a specific localization, that is, pain in the lower back.The spread (radiation) of pain can be observed in the thighs and buttocks, as well as to the legs (from their outer surface).
The term used to define osteochondrosis in a more developed version (degenerative-dystrophic lesions), which is relevant for the intervertebral disc, actually implies a significant in the complex diversity of pathological conditions directly related to the various types of spinal structures (spinal column), namely discs, joints and osteophytes.A similar problem directly related to disc damage is discogenic bulging and pain.Types of osteochondrosis and areas of focus.
Protrusions in lumbar osteochondrosis
The bulge in the area that interests us most often develops;moreover, it is the protrusions that cause pain in the lower back.The lumbar region itself, given its location and characteristics, is most susceptible to the occurrence of certain functional problems.
That is, when considering this statement from one side, we can highlight that our center of gravity is directly related specifically to the lumbar region, and thus, it bears most of the load.When viewed from the other side, one can see that a significant range of movements, again, falls precisely in this lumbar region.Taking this into account, the greatest tendency to damage (as well as the protrusions we are interested in) occurs precisely in the discs concentrated in the lumbar region.In addition, we must not forget that changes in this inner disc and, of course, other areas also occur against the background of age-related degenerative processes.
Let us remind our readers what exactly protrusions are.The connection of the discs to each other in the spine is ensured by discs based on cartilage tissue.The main components of the intervertebral disc are the nucleus pulposus and the fibrous ring, where fixation in the vertebral disc is ensured.The influence of certain factors and conditions gives rise to the possibility of the rupture of this ring, against the background of which, in turn, the protrusion of the nucleus occurs.As a result of this process, a hernia develops.As for the protrusion, it already develops as a result of the same process, but without the rupture of the accompanying ring - in this case it is only subject to thinning and does not rupture, because the nucleus protrudes directly through the ring.Actually, this protrusion is defined as a protrusion.
As for the symptoms of protrusion, it manifests itself in the following:
- feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
- pain in the lumbar region;
- chronic back pain;
- lumbosacral radiculitis;
- numbness, pain, tingling in the toes, feet;
- urinary dysfunction (in rare cases of the pathology in question).
Conservative treatment is mainly used for lumbar disc protrusion.Meanwhile, significant protrusions in development are often accompanied by severe symptoms that are resistant to treatment;in this case, surgical intervention is no longer possible.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms
Pain in this form of osteochondrosis manifests itself in various variations of intensity.So, this can be a sharp pain that appears mainly after sleep or after a long period of sitting, or it can also be a sharp shooting pain in its manifestation.Moreover, the latter manifestation is often observed when occupying an uncomfortable position without the ability to straighten.Any type of pain is directly related to the effect on the nerve endings, muscle swelling, irritation and pinching that is exposed to the nerve root.Pain is also associated with irritation of the lumbar ligament in the area of its nerve endings.
Increased pain in the lower back in this form of osteochondrosis is observed when coughing and sneezing, including during body movements (especially when bending forward).
Lumbar osteochondrosis can also manifest, in addition to lower back pain, also in the form of sensory disturbances noted in certain areas (skin, lower body, leg muscles).It is also possible that the tendon reflexes in the legs will weaken or disappear completely.As a rule, it is osteochondrosis that causes the development of curvature of the lumbar spine.
Based on the specific plane of the actual curvature, osteochondrosis is divided into the following types:
- kyphosis - in this case, there is a flattening of the lumbar region, and often it is curved backwards;
- lordosis - the spine bends forward;
- scoliosis - curvature of the spine to the left or right.
Pinching the roots of the spinal cord due to the development of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region is often determined in the form of some specific disorders, namely bowel or urinary disorders, disorders related to sensitivity in the genital area or perineum.
As a rule, pain appears (and also worsens) as a result of the impact produced during physical activity.A painful reaction in this case can be observed after this load and after some time from the moment of impact.Basically, the patient's complaint in this case boils down to the appearance of dull pain and pain in the lumbar region, and in some cases it radiates to the legs, which is defined as lumbodynia.In addition, there may be complaints of pain in the legs with intensity when trying to lift something heavy (lumbago).The same applies to sneezing and coughing, driving while shaking, changing body position, and staying in the same body position for a long time.
As a result of the aggravation of the disease in question, there is a constant and significant tension in the back muscles, which manifests itself in the inability to perform actions aimed at straightening or moving.Any movement is accompanied by increased pain.In addition, even if the patient spends a short time in the cold, he experiences acute lower back pain (which is also defined as "lumbago").
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis also appear in the following:
- impaired sensitivity in the thighs, buttocks, legs and feet (which are noted less often);
- arterial spasm of the legs, increased coldness of the legs;
- tingling sensation in the legs, "goosebumps";
- peeling and dry skin in areas that normally lose sensation or pain;
- sweating disorder.
The most unpleasant complication that occurs against the background of osteochondrosis is instability of the vertebrae, where the disc stops fixing the vertebrae correctly.This, in turn, causes "slipping" under the influence of gravity of the lumbar region from the sacrum when a load is placed on the lumbar region.As a result, not only unpleasant disorders can occur, but dangerous disorders that affect the functioning of internal organs.The genitourinary system "suffers" in particular;this manifests itself in men as problems with potency, and in women as problems related to the appendages, uterus and ovaries.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis
In accordance with the most complete classification, several specific syndromes related to lumbar osteochondrosis are identified.In particular, this includes the following syndromes:
- reflex syndrome - this includes lumbar ischalgia, lumbodynia and lumbago;
- radicular syndrome - vertebrogenic (or discogenic) sacrolumbar radiculitis, the course of which is accompanied mainly by damage to the first sacral root or the fifth lumbar root;
- radicular-vascular syndrome - radiculoischemia manifests itself as a process of vascular compression (in particular, veins or arteries are subject to compression), while compression is carried out simultaneously with the roots.
Let's briefly outline what the listed syndromes are.
Lumbodyniain particular, it means chronic pain that occurs gradually after a long period of taking an uncomfortable position with the body or after sitting for a long time, as well as after the impact imposed on the body and certain areas after physical activity.
Lumbagomanifests itself in the form of acute back pain, characterized as "lumbago";lumbago mainly occurs when lifting heavy objects or when movement is unsuccessful.Sometimes lumbago is also observed after coughing or sneezing.
Diseases accompanying lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs not only in combination with pain and other listed symptoms, but also in combination with some characteristic diseases of internal organs.
Therefore, approximately more than 30% of patients with clinical symptoms related to lumbar osteochondrosis noted the presence of certain problems related to the liver or the function of the gastrointestinal tract.The fact is that the presence of certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas or liver causes, along with pain impulses, tension in blood vessels and muscles and spasms, resulting in a state of oxygen starvation with the simultaneous development of degenerative processes in certain areas of the body.This process is aggravated by metabolic disorders, which exist in this type of disease.
In addition, as we mentioned before, lower back pain can trigger the development of diseases in the pelvic organs.Women may face diseases such as inflammation of the appendix (which is defined as adnexitis), and men, in turn, experience all the "fun" of prostatitis, which is inflammation of the prostate gland.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis are also accompanied by congestive phenomena in the pelvic area, which develop as a result of the above diseases, including chronic colitis, hemorrhoids and constipation.
Treatment
Mostly, the treatment of osteochondrosis is multicomponent and quite complicated in its implementation.Often all treatment steps come down to the following:
- drug treatment;
- if necessary, surgical treatment;
- diet;
- physical therapy.
Aggravation of the disease requires, first of all, the patient to be in bed.The main recommendation for this section is a hard/hard bed.Severe attacks require minimal physical activity and immediate consultation with an appropriate specialist.The appearance of symptoms that indicate a possible link to lumbar osteochondrosis requires contacting a neurologist.