Lumbar osteochondrosis is one of the most common forms of the underlying disease, osteochondrosis itself.Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which 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, which are often independently defined by patients as "pinched lumbar nerve."
General description
Most often, the type of osteochondrosis under consideration develops against the background of back injuries and a sedentary lifestyle;therefore, individuals whose particular professional activities involve loads affecting the back are automatically at risk for the possibility of developing this disease.And it is not only office workers who of course belong to this group, but also loaders, builders, service workers (e.g. waiters), drivers etc.
An important role is also played by the heredity factor in connection with consideration of thoracic osteochondrosis.Here, not a lot, 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 affect the spine to one degree or another.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, like its other forms, is characterized by pain of varying severity, which can be aching, arising after sleep or after being in the same position for a long time (during prolonged sitting, standing), as well as shooting and sharp.In the latter version, they arise as a result of long-term adoption of a not very comfortable position with the simultaneous impossibility in such a situation to carry out actions aimed at correcting oneself, thereby eliminating such a position together with the strain it gives.Painful sensations arise in themselves as a result of pinching under the corresponding influence of the nerve roots, as well as irritation of the nerves in the spine, irritation of ligaments and muscles (concentrated in the area of innervation, i.e. the actual location of the nerves in the area that controls it) and swelling.
It is important to note that in isolated form this type of osteochondrosis is extremely rare, and therefore the course of the disease is most often combined with the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, which we will consider in our next article.
The general and earliest symptom relevant to all forms of osteochondrosis, which we have already noted, is the manifestation of pain, which in this case is determined by a specific localization, that is, pain in the lower back.The spread (irradiation) of pain can be noted to the thighs and buttocks, as well as to the legs (from their outer surface).
The term used to define osteochondrosis in its more extended version (degenerative-dystrophic lesion) relevant to the intervertebral disc actually implies a significant complex of pathological conditions directly related to different types of structures in the spine (spine), namely discs, joints and osteophytes.The same problems directly related to disc damage are its protrusion and discogenic pain.Types of osteochondrosis and areas of concentration.
Protrusions in lumbar osteochondrosis
Protrusions in this area of interest to us develop most often;moreover, it is the protrusion that causes pain in the lower back.The lumbar region itself, given its location and functions, is most susceptible to the occurrence of certain functional problems.
That is, when we consider this statement from one side, we can emphasize that our center of gravity is directly related specifically to the lower back, and therefore it carries a significant part of the loads.Looking at it from the other side, one can notice that a significant range of movements again falls precisely on this lumbar region.Taking this into account, the greatest tendency to damage (as well as to the protrusions we are interested in) occurs precisely on the discs concentrated in the lower back.In addition, we must not forget that changes in discs in this and of course other areas also occur on the basis of age-related degenerative processes.
Let's remind our readers what protrusion actually is.The connection of the discs to each other in the spine is ensured by discs based on cartilage tissue.The main components of the intervertebral disc are the nucleus pulposus and the fibrous ring, through which fixation in the vertebral disc is ensured.The influence of certain factors and conditions provokes the possibility of rupture of this ring, against the background of which protrusions of the core again arise.As a result of this process, a hernia develops.As for protrusion, it already develops as a result of a similar process, but without the accompanying rupture of the annulus - in this case it is simply subject to thinning and not rupture, because the core protrudes directly through the annulus.In fact, this protrusion is defined as protrusion.
As for the symptoms of protrusion, it manifests itself in the following:
- feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
- pain in the lower back;
- chronic low back pain;
- lumbosacral radiculitis;
- numbness, pain, tingling in toes, feet;
- dysfunction of urination (in rare cases of the pathology in question).
Conservative treatment is mainly used for protrusions in the lower back.Meanwhile, projections that are significant in development are often accompanied by 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 appears in different intensity variations.So it can be aching pain that mainly occurs after sleep or after long sitting period, or there can also be shooting pains that are sharp in their manifestation.Moreover, the manifestation of the latter is often noticed at the moment when one takes an uncomfortable position without the ability to straighten up.Any kind of pain is directly related to the effect on the nerve endings, muscle swelling, irritation and pinching that the nerve roots are subjected to.Pain is also associated with 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 manifest itself, in addition to lower back pain, also in the form of sensory disturbances observed in certain areas (skin, lower part of the body, leg muscles).It is also possible that the tendon reflexes in the legs weaken or disappear completely.As a rule, it is osteochondrosis that provokes the development of curvature of the lumbar spine.
Based on the specific plane of the actual curvature, osteochondrosis is divided into the following types:
- kyphosis - in this case there is a flattening of the lumbar region and often its arched back;
- lordosis - the spine bends forward;
- scoliosis - the spine is curved to the left or right.
Compression of the roots of the spinal cord as a result of the development of osteochondrosis in the lower back is often determined in the form of a number of specific disorders, namely defecation or urination disorders, disorders associated with sensitivity in the genital or perineal area.
As a rule, pain occurs (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 its impact.Basically, patients' complaints in this regard are based on the appearance of dull and aching pains in the lower back, and in some cases they radiate to the leg, which is defined as lumbar dysplasia.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, driving with tremors, changing body position, and staying in the same body position for a long time.
As a result of an aggravation of the disease in question, there is a constant and pronounced tension in the back muscles, which manifests itself in the inability to perform actions aimed at straightening or moving.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 (which is also defined as "lumbago").
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis also appear in the following:
- decreased sensitivity in the thighs, buttocks, legs and feet (which is seen somewhat less often);
- spasms in the arteries of the feet, increased coldness in the legs;
- tingling sensation in the legs, "goosebumps";
- peeling and dry 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, where the disc ceases to fix the vertebra correctly.This in turn causes a "slip" under the influence of gravity in the lower back from the sacrum when the load is placed on the lower back.As a result of this, not only unpleasant disturbances can develop, but dangerous disturbances affecting the functioning of internal organs.The genitourinary system "suffers" especially;this manifests in men as problems with potency and in women as problems in connection with the appendages, uterus and ovaries.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis
In accordance with the most complete classification, a number of specific syndromes relevant to lumbar osteochondrosis are identified.These include in particular the following syndromes:
- reflex syndromes - these include lumbar ischalgia, 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 subject to compression), while compression is carried out simultaneously with the root.
Let's briefly outline what the listed syndromes are.
LumbodyniaThis means in particular chronic pain that occurs gradually after a long period of an uncomfortable position with the body or after prolonged sitting, as well as after the impact exerted on the body and a certain area after physical activity.
Lumbagomanifests itself in the form of acute lower back pain, characterized as a "lumbago";lumbago mainly occurs 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 the internal organs.
Thus, about more than 30% of patients with clinical symptoms relevant to lumbar osteochondrosis note the presence of certain problems associated with the liver or the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.The fact is that the presence of a certain disease in 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 inherent in this type of disease.
In addition, as we noted earlier, lower back pain can provoke the development of diseases of the pelvic organs.Women may encounter a disease such as inflammation of the appendages (which is defined as adnexitis), and men, on the other hand, experience all the "joys" of prostatitis, that is, inflammation of the prostate.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis are also accompanied by congestive phenomena in the pelvic area, which develop as a result of the above diseases, including chronic colitis, hemorrhoids and constipation.
Treatment
For the most part, the treatment of osteochondrosis is multicomponent and quite complex in its implementation.For the most part, all treatment measures come down to the following points:
- drug therapy;
- if necessary, surgical treatment;
- diet;
- physiotherapy.
A worsening of the disease requires, above all, that the patient remains in bed.The main recommendation for this part is a hard/hard sleeping place.Extremely pronounced attacks require minimal physical activity and prompt consultation with an appropriate specialist.The appearance of symptoms indicating the possible relevance of lumbar osteochondrosis requires contact with a neurologist.