Lumbar osteochondrosis is one of the most common forms of the underlying disease, osteochondrosis itself.Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are determined equally 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, which is often independently determined by patients as "suppressed lumbar nerve".
General description
Most often, the form of osteochondrosis under consideration develops against the background of back injuries and a sedentary lifestyle;Therefore, people whose specific professional activities involve loads affecting the back are automatically at risk for the possibility of developing 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.
The heredity factor also plays an important role in the examination of thoracic osteochondrosis.Here, not much, not a little, but about 60% of the probability is present if the disease is present in close relatives.The rest is influenced by environmental factors that, to one degree or another, affect the spine.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, like its other forms, is characterized by pain of varying degrees of severity, which can be pain, occurring after sleeping or after staying in the same position for a long time (during prolonged sitting, standing), as well as shooting and sharp.In the last version, they arise as a result of the prolonged adoption of a not very comfortable posture with the simultaneous impossibility in such a situation of implementing actions aimed at direction, thus eliminating such a posture along with the load it provides.Painful sensations arise in themselves as a result of compression under the corresponding influence of nerve roots, as well as irritation of nerves in the spine, irritation of ligaments and muscles (focused on the innervation zone, that is, the actual location of the nerves of the region in question that control it) and swell.
It is important to note that in isolated form this type of osteochondrosis is extremely rare, and therefore more often the course of the disease is combined with the natural symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, which we will consider in our next article.
The general and earliest symptom, important for all forms of osteochondrosis, as we have already noted, is the appearance 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 in the legs (from their outer surface).
The term used to define osteochondrosis in its most extended version (degenerative-dystrophic lesion), relevant to the intervertebral disc, actually means an important complex in its diversity of pathological conditions directly related to different types of spinal structures (spine), namely discs, joints and osteophytes.The same problems directly related to disc damage are disc protrusion and discogenic pain.Types of osteochondrosis and areas of concentration.
Extensions in lumbar osteochondrosis
Extensions in this area of interest to us are developed more often;moreover, it is the extensions that cause lower back pain.The midsection itself, given its location and features, is more susceptible to the occurrence of some functional problems.
That is, when we consider this statement on the one hand, we can emphasize that our center of gravity is directly related specifically to the waist region, and accordingly, it carries a significant part of the loads.When viewed from the other side, it can be observed that a significant range of motion, again, falls precisely in this lumbar region.Taking this into account, the greatest tendency to damage (as well as for the outputs we are interested in) occurs precisely in the disks concentrated in the middle region.Moreover, 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 extensions actually are.The connection of the discs to each other 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 rupture of this ring, against the background of which, in turn, the elongation of the nucleus occurs.As a result of this process, a hernia develops.As for elongation, it is already taking place as a result of a similar process, but without the accompanying rupture of the ring - in this case it simply undergoes thinning and not rupture, because the core exits directly through the ring.In fact, this extension is defined as an extension.
As for the symptoms of the extension, it is manifested as follows:
- feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
- pain in the lumbar region;
- chronic lower back pain;
- lumbosacral radiculitis;
- numbness, pain, tingling in the fingers, legs;
- dysfunction of urination (in rare cases of said pathology).
Conservative treatment is mainly used for lumbar disc lengthening.Meanwhile, extensions that are developmentally significant are often associated with 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 is manifested in different variations of intensity.So, these can be aching pains that occur mainly after sleeping or after a long period of sitting, or there 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 steer.Any type of pain is directly related to the effect on the nerve endings, muscle swelling, irritation and tightness to which the nerve roots are exposed.The pain is also accompanied by irritation of the lumbar ligaments in the area of innervation 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 appear, in addition to back pain, in the form of sensory disturbances observed 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 provokes the development of curvature in the lumbar spine.
Based on the specific plane of the current curvature, osteochondrosis is divided into the following types:
- kyphosis - in this case, there is a flattening of the lumbar region, and often its arching of the back;
- lordosis - the spine bends forward;
- scoliosis - the spine is curved to the left or right.
The fracture of the roots belonging to the spinal cord as a result of the development of osteochondrosis within the lumbar region is often determined in the form of a series of specific disorders, namely defecation or urination disorders, disorders associated with sensitivity in the genital or perineal area.
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 both after this load and after some time from the moment of its impact.Basically, patients' complaints in this regard come down to the appearance of dull and painful 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 leg with its intensification when trying to lift something heavy (lumbago).The same applies to sneezing and coughing, steering with tremors, changing body position, as well as staying in the same body position for a long time.
As a consequence of an aggravation of the disease in question, a continuous and pronounced tension in the back muscles is observed, which is manifested in the inability to perform actions aimed at direction 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 (also defined as "lumbago").
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis also appear in the following:
- impaired sensitivity in the thighs, buttocks, legs and feet (which is observed somewhat less often);
- spasm of the arteries of the legs, increased coldness of the legs;
- tingling sensation in legs, "lump";
- peeling and drying of the skin in an area where there is usually loss of sensation or pain;
- sweating disorders.
The most unpleasant complication that occurs against the background of osteochondrosis is vertebral instability, in which the disc ceases to properly adjust the vertebra.This, in turn, provokes a "slip" under the influence of gravity of the lumbar region from the sacrum when the load is placed on the lumbar region.As a result of this, not only unpleasant discomforts can develop, but dangerous discomforts that affect the functioning of internal organs.The genitourinary system "suffers" in particular;this manifests 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, a number of specific syndromes are identified that are important for lumbar osteochondrosis.In particular, these include the following syndromes:
- reflex syndromes - these include lumbar ishalgia, lumbodynia and lumbago;
- radicular syndromes – vertebrogenic (or discogenic) sacrolumbar radiculitis, the course of which is mainly associated with damage to the first sacral root or the fifth lumbar root;
- radicular-vascular syndromes - radiculoischemia is manifested as a process of vascular compression (in particular, veins or arteries are subjected to compression), while 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 appears gradually after a long period of taking an uncomfortable position with the body or after prolonged sitting, as well as after the impact exerted on the body and in a certain area after physical activity.
Lumbagomanifests itself in the form of acute lower back pain, characterized as "lumbago";lumbago occurs mainly when lifting heavy objects or when a 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.
Thus, about more than 30% of patients with clinical symptoms associated with lumbar osteochondrosis notice the presence of some problems related to the liver or the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.The fact is that the presence of a particular disease of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas or liver provokes, along with pain impulses, tension in blood vessels and muscles and spasms, resulting in a state of oxygen starvation with the simultaneous development of a degenerative process in certain areas of the body.The process is aggravated by metabolic disorders, which are inherent in this type of disease.
In addition, as we mentioned earlier, back pain can provoke the development of diseases in the pelvic organs.Women can encounter a disease such as inflammation of the appendages (which is defined as adnexitis), and men, on the other hand, experience all the "pleasures" of prostatitis, that is, inflammation of the prostate gland.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis are also associated with congestive phenomena in the pelvic area, which develop as a result of the above diseases, including chronic colitis, hemorrhoids and constipation.
Treatment
Mainly, the treatment of osteochondrosis is multicomponent and quite complex in its implementation.Mostly all treatment measures come in the following points:
- drug treatment;
- if necessary, surgical treatment;
- diet;
- physical therapy.
An aggravation of the disease requires, first of all, that the patient stays in bed.The main recommendation for this part is a place for a rough/hard sleeper.Extremely pronounced attacks require minimal physical activity and immediate consultation with a relevant specialist.The appearance of symptoms that indicate the possible importance of lumbar osteochondrosis requires contact with a neurologist.