Many people after thirty years at least once felt pain in the lumbar region. From 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 greatly affect the quality of human life. In order to prevent the development of negative consequences, it is extremely important to consult a doctor in time.
Clinical features of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
This disease is widespread, because it is the lower back that most often suffers 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 nucleus pulposus, give it flexibility. These elements are located inside the annulus fibrosus.
Osteochondrosis causes a deficiency of nutrients in the discs. Due to this, they become less elastic. In addition, its height is reduced. Reducing the distance between the vertebrae causes infringement of the nerve roots. As a result, tangible pain occurs in the lumbar region.
At the initial stage, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are mild and may even be completely absent. However, further progression of the disease causes pain in the back and legs, and numbness may develop.
After the spread of changes, the possibility of repairing the spine decreases. Sometimes hernias and subluxations appear, these disorders are associated with pain. Subsequently, even a rupture of the disc and pinching of the nerve endings can occur.
With the further 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 continuously. In old age, the pathology may not manifest itself in any way, despite the presence of changes. If the treatment of the disease is not started on time, very dangerous consequences can develop.
Degrees
Pathology is irreversible, and its symptoms are directly determined by the degree:
- First grade. During this period, pathological processes occur in the nucleus pulposus. There are discomfort associated with irritation of the nerve endings. They can be sharp or painful in nature. If spasms of the large arteries of the thigh occur, blood circulation is disturbed, which is fraught with pathologies of the arteries of the legs.
- Second grade. Destruction of the annulus fibrosus progresses. Due to the loss of stability, the vertebrae become too mobile. As a result, muscle tissue is overloaded. The patient has great fatigue of the lower back muscles, a feeling of discomfort.
- Third degree. The annulus fibrosus ruptures, leading to the release of the contents of the nucleus pulposus. This process causes the formation of a hernia. There are root syndromes. Initially, the patient feels high sensitivity in the affected area, a burning sensation, tingling, numbness. Sometimes the sensitivity can go away completely. In severe cases, paralysis and muscle atrophy develop.
- Fourth grade. The work of the vertebrae, the structure of the joints and ligaments is disrupted. Arthrosis of the joint develops. The pain may disappear, the supporting function of the spine is restored, but its amplitude is significantly reduced. The fourth degree is characterized by a variety of symptoms of the disease.
The reasons
More than a 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 leads to oxygen deficiency and the appearance of dystrophic abnormalities. These processes are aggravated by metabolic disorders.
The appearance of this form of osteochondrosis is often the result of congestion 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.
- Pathology of the heart and blood vessels.
- Diseases of the endocrine system.
- Problems with the spine.
- Inflammation.
- Flatfoot.
- Increased physical activity.
- Metabolism disorder.
- Age changes.
There are also risk factors that considerably increase the probability of developing lumbar osteochondrosis:
- over weight;
- inheritance;
- irrational nutrition;
- posture violation;
- long stay in an uncomfortable position;
- chronic sleep deprivation;
- frequent stress;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms and signs
The disease manifests itself in the form of a pain syndrome and can have a different character. Osteochondrosis is characterized by sensations of tightness, pain and cutting. Discomfort can be felt not only in the leg, but also in the tailbone or lower chest.
The photo shows the pain syndrome in osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine.
In addition to pain, there are such violations:
- muscle tension;
- problems in the reproductive system;
- violation of the menstrual cycle in women;
- constipation;
- change of posture;
- asymmetry of the buttocks;
- loss of sensation;
- fatigue;
- tingling and coldness in the legs;
- loss of activity;
- insomnia;
- emotional instability.
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis is most often the result of careless movement or high load. Also, a relapse of the disease often occurs due to hypothermia. Acute pains can be felt not only in the lower back, but often affect the lower extremities. During an exacerbation, a person tries to find a comfortable position to achieve the disappearance of pain.
Symptoms of lumbosacral osteochondrosis
This form of disorder is also characterized by back pain. They can be felt in the lower back or in the leg near the sciatic nerve. Manifestations of the disease do not occur immediately, but approximately at the second stage of the development of the disease.
At first, they are felt during careless movements or loads. But over time, the pain is constantly present and has an aching character. Sometimes there are exacerbations when the discomfort becomes more pronounced. In advanced cases, the pain appears when sneezing, coughing, making a slight effort.
When the nerve endings are pinched, a radicular syndrome develops, which is characterized by such manifestations:
- shots from behind;
- loss of sensation in the extremities;
- tingling in the legs;
- weakening of tendon reflexes;
- violation of sweating;
- leg coldness;
- muscular weakness.
As the disease progresses, the back loses its flexibility, and any change in body position or load causes severe pain. As a result, mobility is limited, a person experiences difficulty bending, muscle spasms.
effects
If you ignore the symptoms of osteochondrosis, then sooner or later the disease will lead to negative consequences. With a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, the vessels are pinched, which causes problems with the nutrition of 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 a hernia. It also causes 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 systems is disrupted. Digestion problems can also occur.
This form of osteochondrosis can lead to spinal instability. Under the influence of gravity, the lower back appears to slide off the sacrum. For women, this condition is fraught with problems with the internal organs: the ovaries, the uterus, the appendages. Men can develop 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 the "horsetail" syndrome, which is considered a consequence of a violation of the nerve roots. In advanced situations it can cause paralysis and paresis of the extremities.
Diagnostic methods
To diagnose osteochondrosis, the doctor examines the patient's medical history and conducts a visual examination. Common urine and blood tests are also done. With the help of it, other serious diseases can be excluded.
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 need to be examined by a urologist.
The following types of diagnoses are required:
- bone scan;
- computed tomography;
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
How to deal with
For the treatment of the 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. Be sure to take B vitamins. To cope with psychogenic disorders, sedatives and anticonvulsants are used. During an exacerbation, novocaine blockade can be used.
Of the non-pharmacological therapies, therapeutic exercises, acupuncture and massage are the most effective. You can also do electrophoresis and phonophoresis. If conservative methods do not give results, an operation is performed.
Lumbar osteochondrosis is considered a rather dangerous pathology that can lead to extremely negative health consequences. To prevent this from happening, it is very important to see a doctor if you have any back discomfort.