Lumbar osteochondrosis is one of the most common forms of the underlying disease, osteochondrosis itself.Lumbar osteochondrosis, whose symptoms are equally defined in both men and women, manifests itself in the form of pain concentrated in the sacral region, reflected in its symptoms in the lower extremities, and it is often independently defined by patients as "compressed lumbar nerve".
General description
The often considered form of osteochondrosis develops against the background of back injuries and a sedentary lifestyle;accordingly, people whose specific occupational activity is associated with loads affecting the back are automatically at risk for the possibility of developing this disease.And this, of course, is not only office workers who belong to this group, but also loaders, builders, service workers (for example, waiters), drivers, etc.
In the context of considering thoracic osteochondrosis, the heredity factor also plays an important role.There is not much, not less, but if close relatives have the disease, there is about a 60% probability.The rest are influenced to one degree or another by environmental factors that affect the spine.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, like other forms, is characterized by fever and sharp pain, which can be painful, after sleep or when staying in the same position for a long time (long sitting, standing).In the latter version, they arise as a result of long-term acceptance of a very uncomfortable posture with the simultaneous impossibility of carrying out corrective actions in such a situation, thereby eliminating such a posture along with the burden it provides.Painful sensations themselves are due to the pinching of nerve roots under the corresponding influence, including irritation of nerves in the spinal column, irritation of ligaments and muscles (concentrated in the area of innervation, that is, the actual location of the nerves of the area in question controlling it), etc.resulting from
It should be noted that this type of osteochondrosis in an isolated form is extremely rare, and therefore the course of the disease is often combined with symptoms characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis, which we will consider in our next article.
The common and earliest symptom of all forms of osteochondrosis, as we have already mentioned, is the manifestation of pain, which in this case is determined by a certain localization, that is, pain in the lumbar region.The spread of pain (radiation) can be noted to the thighs and hips, as well as to the legs (from their outer surface).
The term used to define osteochondrosis in a more extended version (degenerative-dystrophic lesion) is suitable for the intervertebral disc, in fact it implies an important complex in terms of the variety of pathological conditions directly related to the different structures of the spine (spinal column), i.e. 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.
Protrusions in lumbar osteochondrosis
In this area, which interests us, protrusions develop the most;moreover, it is the protrusions that cause pain in the lower back.Considering the location and characteristics of the lumbar region itself, it is most susceptible to certain functional problems.
That is, when we consider this statement from one side, we can emphasize that our center of gravity directly belongs to the waist region and accordingly carries a significant part of the loads.On the other hand, it can be seen that a significant range of motion still falls on this lumbar region.Given this, the greatest propensity for injury (as well as the protrusions we are interested in) occurs in the discs concentrated in the lumbar region.In addition, we must not forget that changes in discs in this and, of course, other areas also occur against the background of age-related degenerative processes.
Let's remind our readers what protrusions actually are.In the spine, the discs are connected to each other by discs based on cartilage tissue.The main components of the intervertebral disc are the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus, which provide fixation to the spinal disc.The influence of certain factors and conditions gives rise to the possibility of the rupture of this ring, against the background of which the protrusion of the nucleus occurs.As a result of this process, a hernia is formed.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 and does not break, because the core exits directly from the annulus.In fact, this protrusion is defined as a protrusion.
As for the symptoms of the rash, it manifests itself with the following:
- feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
- pain in the lower back;
- chronic back pain;
- lumbosacral radiculitis;
- numbness, pain, tingling in fingers, feet;
- urinary disorders (in rare cases, the presence of the pathology in question).
Conservative treatment is mainly used for lumbar disc herniation.Meanwhile, developmentally significant lesions 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 manifests itself in different intensity changes.So, these can be aching pains that appear mainly after sleep or sitting for a long time, or they can also be burning pains that are acute in their manifestations.Moreover, the manifestation of the latter is often noted at the moment of taking an uncomfortable position without the ability to correct it.Any type of pain has a direct effect on nerve endings exposed to nerve roots, muscle swelling, irritation and compression.Pain is also associated with irritation of the lumbar ligaments in the area of innervation of the nerve endings.
In this form of osteochondrosis, increased pain in the lumbar region is observed during coughing and sneezing, as well as during body movements (especially when bending forward).
Lumbar osteochondrosis, along with back pain, can also manifest itself 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 completely absent.As a rule, it is osteochondrosis that causes the development of curvature in the lumbar region.
Based on the specific plane of true curvature, osteochondrosis is divided into the following types:
- kyphosis - in this case, there is a flattening of the lumbar region and often bending backwards;
- lordosis - the spine bends forward;
- scoliosis - bending of the spine to the left or right.
As a result of the development of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region, pinching of the roots of the spinal cord is often identified in the form of a number of specific disorders, namely defecation or urination disorders, and disorders related to sensitivity in the genital or perineal area.
As a rule, the pain appears (and worsens) as a result of the impact during physical activity.In this case, a painful reaction can be observed both after this load and some time after the moment of impact.Mostly, patients' complaints boil down to the appearance of dull and aching pains in the lower back, and in some cases radiate to the leg, which is defined as lumbodynia.In addition, there may be complaints of pain in the leg 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 exacerbation of the disease in question, there is a constant and obvious tension in the back muscles, which is manifested in the inability to perform movements aimed at straightening or moving.Any movement is accompanied by increasing pain.In addition, the patient experiences severe back pain (which is also defined as "lumbago") even if he spends only a short time in cold conditions.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis also appear as follows:
- numbness in the thighs, hips, legs and feet (slightly less marked);
- spasm of the veins of the legs, increased coldness of the legs;
- tingling sensation in the legs, "goose bumps";
- peeling and dry skin in an area that usually has loss of sensitivity or pain;
- sweating disorders.
The most unpleasant complication that occurs against the background of osteochondrosis is vertebral instability, in which the disc stops the correct alignment of the vertebra.This, in turn, causes the lumbar region to "slip" under the influence of gravity from the sacrum when a load is placed on the lumbar region.As a result, not only unpleasant disorders can develop, but also dangerous disorders that affect the work of internal organs.In particular, the genitourinary system "suffers";this manifests itself as problems with potency in men and problems with the appendages, uterus and ovaries in women.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis
According to the most complete classification, a number of specific syndromes relevant for lumbar osteochondrosis are defined.In particular, these include the following syndromes:
- reflex syndromes - these include lumbago, lumbodynia and lumbago;
- radicular syndromes - vertebrogenic (or discogenic) sacrolumbar radiculitis, the course of which is mainly accompanied by damage to the first sacral root or the fifth lumbar root;
- radicular-vascular syndromes - radiculoischemia manifests itself as a process of vascular compression (in particular, veins or arteries are subjected to compression), and the compression is carried out simultaneously with the root.
Let's briefly describe what the listed syndromes are.
Lumbodyniain particular, it means chronic pain that gradually occurs after taking an uncomfortable position with the body for a long time or sitting for a long time, as well as after physical activity and after impact on the body and a certain area.
Lumbagomanifests itself in the form of acute back pain characterized as "lumbago";lumbago mainly occurs when lifting heavy objects or when the movement fails.Sometimes lumbago is also observed 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 related to lumbar osteochondrosis note the presence of certain problems related to the functions of the liver or gastrointestinal tract.The fact is that the presence of a certain disease of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas or liver causes pain impulses, tension and spasm in blood vessels and muscles, as well as the simultaneous development of a degenerative process in certain areas of the body, leading to a state of oxygen starvation.The process is aggravated by metabolic disorders characteristic of this type of disease.
In addition, as we mentioned earlier, back pain can lead to the development of diseases in the pelvic organs.Women can experience a disease such as inflammation of the appendages (defined as adnexitis), while men, in turn, experience all the "flavors" of prostatitis, that is, inflammation of the prostate gland.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis are also accompanied by congestive phenomena in the pelvic region, which develop as a result of the above diseases, including chronic colitis, hemorrhoids and constipation.
Treatment
Basically, the treatment of osteochondrosis is multi-component and quite complicated in its implementation.Basically, all treatment measures fall into the following points:
- drug treatment;
- surgical treatment if necessary;
- diet;
- physical therapy.
Aggravation of the disease, first of all, requires the patient to stay in bed.The main recommendation for this part is a hard/heavy sleeper.Extreme open attacks require minimal physical activity and urgent consultation with an appropriate specialist.The appearance of symptoms indicating the possible relevance of lumbar osteochondrosis requires contacting a neurologist.