Many people after thirty years at least once feel pain in the lumbar region. By the age of sixty, this disorder appears in 80% of people. Almost always, the cause is lumbar osteochondrosis. This pathology provokes the development of unpleasant symptoms and can greatly impair the quality of human life. To prevent the development of negative consequences, it is extremely important to consult a doctor in a timely manner.
Clinical features of lumbar spine osteochondrosis
This disease is prevalent because it is the lower back that suffers most often from high loads. The lumbar region contains five vertebrae, in addition, it connects the sacrum with the thoracic region. The intervertebral discs, made up of the pulposus nucleus, give it flexibility. These elements are located within the fibrous ring.
Osteochondrosis provokes a lack of nutrients in the discs. Because of this, they become less elastic. In addition, their height decreases. Reducing the distance between the vertebrae provokes damage to the nerve roots. As a result, palpable pain occurs in the lumbar region.
In the initial stage, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are mild and may even be completely absent. However, further progression of the disease leads to back and leg pain and numbness may develop.
After the spread of the changes the possibility of spinal adjustment decreases. Sometimes hernias and subluxations appear - these disorders are accompanied by pain. Subsequently, a rupture of the disc and tightening of the nerve endings may also occur.
With the subsequent development of the disease, the vessels, ligaments and spinal cord begin to participate in the process. Bone growths may develop. In the last stage, paralysis and paresis develop. Sometimes the functioning of the pelvic organs is disrupted.
In young people, the disease progresses steadily. In old age, the pathology may not appear in any way, despite the presence of changes. If treatment of the disease does not start in time, very dangerous consequences can develop.
Diplomat
The pathology is irreversible and its symptoms are determined directly by the degree:
- First step. During this period, pathological processes occur in the pulposus nucleus. There are concerns associated with irritation of nerve endings. They can be sharp or painful in nature. If spasms of the large femoral arteries appear, blood circulation is disturbed, which is fraught with the appearance of pathologies of the arteries of the legs.
- The second degree. The destruction of the fibrous ring progresses. Due to the loss of stability, the beads become very mobile. As a result, muscle tissue is overloaded. The patient has a high fatigue of the muscles of the lower back, a feeling of discomfort.
- Third degree. The fibrous ring breaks down, leading to the release of the contents of the pulposus nucleus. This process provokes the formation of a hernia. In radicular syndrome. Initially, the patient feels high sensitivity in the affected area, a burning sensation, tingling sensation, numbness. Sometimes the sensitivity can disappear completely. In severe cases, paralysis and muscle atrophy develop.
- Fourth degree. The work of the vertebrae, the structure of the joints and ligaments is broken. Osteoarthritis of the joints develops. The pain may disappear, the supporting function of the spine is restored, but the amplitude in it is significantly reduced. The fourth degree is characterized by a variety of symptoms of the disease.
reason
More than a third of patients with such osteochondrosis have problems with the liver or digestive organs. In the presence of such deviations appear tension and spasms of muscles and blood vessels, which provokes lack of oxygen and the appearance of dystrophic abnormalities. These processes are exacerbated by metabolic disorders.
The appearance of this form of osteochondrosis is often the result of overload in the pelvic organs. They can be associated with constipation, colitis, hemorrhoids. In women, such problems are the result of inflammation of the appendages, and in men - prostatitis.
Causes of osteochondrosis also include the following:
- Lack of physical activity.
- Joint diseases.
- Digestive problems.
- Back injury.
- Cardiovascular pathology.
- Diseases of the endocrine system.
- Problems with the spine.
- Inflammation.
- Flat feet.
- Increased physical activity.
- Metabolic disorder.
- Age changes.
There are also risk factors that greatly increase the likelihood of developing lumbar osteochondrosis:
- overweight;
- inheritance;
- irrational nutrition;
- violation of residence;
- long stay in an uncomfortable position;
- chronic sleep deprivation;
- frequent stress;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms and signs
The disease manifests itself in the form of pain syndrome and may have a different character. Osteochondrosis is characterized by sensation of pulling, pain, cutting. Discomfort can be felt not only in the legs, but also in the coccyx or lower chest.
The picture shows the pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
In addition to pain, there are such violations:
- muscle tension;
- problems in the reproductive system;
- menstrual irregularities in women;
- constipation;
- change in behavior;
- buttocks asymmetry;
- loss of sensitivity;
- fatigue;
- tingling sensation and coldness in the feet;
- loss of activity;
- insomnia;
- emotional instability.
Worsening of osteochondrosis is usually the result of careless movement or high load. Also, a relapse often occurs due to hypothermia. Sharp pains can be felt not only in the lower back - they often affect the lower limbs. During a deterioration, a person tries to find a comfortable position to achieve the disappearance of pain.
Symptoms of lumbosacral osteochondrosis
This form of the disorder is also characterized by back pain. They can be felt in the lower back or standing 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 movements or loads. But over time, the pain is constantly present and has a painful character. Sometimes there are irritations when the discomfort becomes more pronounced. In advanced cases, the pain appears during sneezing, coughing, light exercise.
When the nerve endings are caught, a radicular syndrome develops, which is characterized by such manifestations:
- shots in the back;
- loss of sensation in the limbs;
- tingling sensation in the foot;
- weakening of tendon reflexes;
- violation of sweating;
- cooling of the feet;
- muscle weakness.
As the disease progresses, the spine loses its flexibility and any change in body position or load leads to severe pain. As a result, mobility is limited, a person experiences difficulty in flexion, muscle spasms.
effects
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 constrict, which leads to problems with feeding the spinal cord.
As a result, pain, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes appear. Enuresis, fecal incontinence, paralysis of the lower extremities may develop.
Another dangerous complication is hernia. It also provokes severe pain and compression of the spinal cord. As a result, the legs may lose sensitivity, reflexes disappear. Sometimes the work of the organs of the reproductive and urinary system is interrupted. Digestive problems may also occur.
This form of osteochondrosis can provoke spinal instability. Under the influence of gravity, the lower back appears to slip out of the sacrum. For women, this condition is fraught with problems with internal organs - ovaries, uterus, appendages. Men can develop impotence as a result of this disorder.
Lumbar osteochondrosis often provokes problems with blood circulation to the spinal cord. Another consequence is compression myelopathy. Problems with the spinal cord appear in connection with the narrowing of the spinal canal.
However, the most complex condition is "horsetail" syndrome, which is considered to be a consequence of nerve root violation. In advanced situations, it can provoke paralysis and paresis of the limbs.
Diagnostic methods
To diagnose osteochondrosis, the doctor examines the patient's medical history and performs a visual examination. Routine 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 legs. It is important to determine the condition of the skin, blood vessels, muscle tone. Women are also referred for a consultation with 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
Medical, physiotherapeutic and surgical techniques can be used to treat the disease. The main goal is to eliminate the manifestations of the disease and prevent its development.
From drugs used anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. Make sure you take vitamin B. Sedatives and anticonvulsants are used to treat psychogenic disorders. During an exacerbation, novocaine blockade may be used.
From drug-free therapies, therapeutic exercises, acupuncture and massage are the most effective. You can also do electrophoresis and phonophoresis. If conservative methods do not work, an operation is performed.
Lumbar osteochondrosis is considered a very dangerous pathology that can lead to extremely negative health consequences. To prevent this from happening, it is very important to consult a doctor if any back discomfort occurs.