Many people after thirty years at least once feel pain in the lumbar region. At the age of sixty, this discomfort occurs in 80% of people. Almost always, the cause is lumbar osteochondrosis. This pathology provokes the development of unpleasant symptoms and can affect the quality of human life. To avoid the development of negative consequences, it is very important to consult a doctor in a timely manner.
Clinical features of lumbar spine osteochondrosis
The disease is widespread, as it is the lower back that most often experiences high loads. The lumbar region contains five vertebrae, in addition, it connects the sacrum with the thoracic region. The intervertebral disc, which is made up of the nucleus pulposus, gives it flexibility. These elements are localized in a fibrous ring.
Osteochondrosis causes a lack of nutrients in the discs. Because of this, they become less elastic. In addition, their height is reduced. Reducing the distance between the vertebrae gives rise to a violation of the nerve roots. As a result, significant pain occurs in the lumbar region.
In the early stages, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are mild and may not be fully present. However, further progression of the disease leads to pain in the back and legs, and numbness may develop.
After the spread of change, the likelihood of spinal repair decreases. Sometimes hernias and subluxations appear - these disorders are associated with pain. After that, even a ruptured disc and pinching of the nerve endings can occur.
With subsequent disease progression, vessels, ligaments, and spinal cord begin to participate in the process. Bone growth may develop. In the last stage, paralysis and paresis develop. Sometimes the function of the pelvic organs is disturbed.
In young people, the disease develops continuously. In old age, the pathology may not be noticeable in any way, even if there are changes. If treatment of the disease is not started in a timely manner, very dangerous consequences can develop.
Degrees
The pathology is irreversible, and the symptoms are determined directly by the stage:
- First degree. During this period, pathological processes occur in the nucleus pulposus. There is discomfort associated with irritation at the nerve endings. They may be sharp or painful. If spasm of the large arteries of the thigh occurs, blood circulation is disrupted, which is fraught with the appearance of pathology of the arteries of the legs.
- second degree. The destruction of the fibrous ring takes place. Due to the loss of stability, the vertebrae become too mobile. As a result, muscle tissue becomes overly stressed. The patient has high fatigue in the muscles of the lower back, discomfort.
- third degree. The fibrous ring ruptures, leading to the release of the contents of the nucleus pulposus. This process gives rise to the formation of hernias. There is radicular syndrome. Initially, the patient feels a high sensitivity in the affected area, a burning sensation, tingling, numbness. Sometimes the sensitivity may disappear completely. In severe cases, paralysis and muscle atrophy develop.
- Fourth grade. Vertebral work, joint structures and ligaments are disrupted. Arthrosis of the joints develops. The pain may disappear, the support function of the spine is restored, but the amplitude in it is significantly reduced. The fourth stage is characterized by a variety of disease symptoms.
The reasons
More than one -third of patients with such osteochondrosis have problems with the liver or digestive organs. In the presence of such deviations, tension and spasm of muscles and blood vessels occur, which gives rise to lack of oxygen and the appearance of dystrophic abnormalities. This process is exacerbated by metabolic disorders.
The appearance of this form of osteochondrosis is often due to congestion in the pelvic organs. They can be associated with constipation, colitis, hemorrhoids. In women, such problems are the result of complementary inflammation, and in men - prostatitis.
Causes of osteochondrosis also include the following:
- Lack of physical activity.
- Joint disease.
- Digestive problems.
- Back injury.
- Pathology of the heart and blood vessels.
- Diseases of the endocrine system.
- Problems with the spine.
- Inflammation.
- Flat feet.
- Increased physical activity.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Age change.
There are also risk factors that greatly increase the likelihood of developing lumbar osteochondrosis:
- overweight;
- descent;
- irrational eating;
- posture violations;
- long stays in uncomfortable positions;
- chronic sleep deprivation;
- frequent stress;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms and signs
The disease manifests itself in the form of pain syndrome, and it can have a different character. Osteochondrosis is characterized by a sensation of pulling, pain, cutting. Discomfort can be felt not only in the legs, but also in the tailbone or lower chest.
The photo shows the pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
In addition to pain, there are violations such as:
- muscle tension;
- problems in the reproductive system;
- menstrual cycle violations in women;
- constipation;
- postural changes;
- back asymmetry;
- loss of sensitivity;
- fatigue;
- tingling and coldness in the feet;
- loss of activity;
- insomnia;
- emotional instability.
The severity of osteochondrosis is usually due to careless movements or high loads. Also, recurrence of the disease often occurs due to hypothermia. Sharp pain can be felt not only in the lower back - it often affects the lower limbs. During an exacerbation, one tries to find a comfortable position to achieve pain relief.
Symptoms of lumbosacral osteochondrosis
This form of the disorder is also characterized by back pain. They can be felt in the lower back or in the legs near the sciatic nerve. Manifestations of the disease do not occur immediately, but approximately in the second stage of disease development.
At first, they are felt during careless movement or load. But over time, the pain is always present and has a painful character. Sometimes there is a worsening when the discomfort becomes more pronounced. In further cases, pain appears when sneezing, coughing, light exercise.
When nerve endings are pinched, radicular syndrome develops, which is characterized by manifestations such as:
- shots in the back;
- loss of sensation in the limbs;
- tingling in the legs;
- tendon reflex weakness;
- sweating violations;
- cold feet;
- muscle weakness.
As the disease progresses, the back loses its flexibility, and any change in body position or load leads to severe pain. As a result, limited mobility, a person has difficulty bending, muscle cramps.
Effect
If you ignore the symptoms of osteochondrosis, sooner or later the disease will lead to negative consequences. With a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, the vessels are pinched, which leads to problems with spinal cord nutrition.
As a result, pain, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes appear. Enuresis, stool incontinence, paralysis of the lower limbs may develop.
Another dangerous complication is a hernia. It also causes severe pain and compression of the spinal cord. As a result, the foot may lose sensitivity, reflexes disappear. Sometimes the work of the organs of the reproductive and urinary systems is disturbed. Digestive problems may also occur.
This form of osteochondrosis can trigger spinal instability. Under the influence of gravity, the lower back appears to slide out of the sacrum. For women, this condition is fraught with problems with internal organs - ovaries, uterus, appendages. Men can experience impotence as a result of this disorder.
Lumbar osteochondrosis often causes problems with blood circulation in the spinal cord. Another consequence is compression myelopathy. In connection with the narrowing of the spinal canal, problems with the spinal cord appear.
However, the most complex condition is "ponytail" syndrome, which is thought to be the result of a nerve root violation. In advanced conditions, it can trigger paralysis and paresis of the limbs.
Diagnostic methods
To diagnose osteochondrosis, the doctor examines the patient’s medical history and conducts a visual examination. Regular urine and blood tests are also performed. With their help, other serious diseases can be ruled out.
An important criterion is the assessment of the condition of the foot. It is important to determine the condition of the skin, blood vessels, muscle tone. Women were also referred to consult a gynecologist. Men should be examined by a urologist.
The following types of diagnostics are required:
- radiography;
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
How to treat
For the treatment of disease, medical, physiotherapeutic and surgical techniques can be used. The main goal is to eliminate the manifestations of the disease and prevent its development.
Of the drugs used anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. Make sure you take vitamin B. To treat psychogenic disorders, sedatives and anticonvulsants are used. During exacerbations, novocaine blockade may be used.
Of the non -drug therapies, therapeutic exercise, acupuncture, and massage are the most effective. You can also do electrophoresis and phonophoresis. If conservative methods do not yield results, surgery is performed.
Lumbar osteochondrosis is considered a relatively dangerous pathology that can lead to very negative health consequences. To prevent this from happening, it is very important to consult a doctor if any discomfort occurs in the back.