Lumbar osteochondrosis is one of the most common forms of the underlying disease, osteochondrosis itself.Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are equally expressed in both men and women, manifests itself in the form of pain concentrated in the sacral region, which is reflected in symptoms in the lower extremities, which patients often independently define as "pinched lumbar nerve".
General description
Most often, the considered form of osteochondrosis develops against the background of back injuries and a sedentary lifestyle;consequently, people whose particular professional activities involve loads that affect the back are automatically at risk of developing this disease.And these are not only office workers, who, of course, belong to this group, but also loaders, construction workers, service workers (waiters, for example), drivers, etc.
An important role is played by the heredity factor in the context of considering thoracic osteochondrosis.Here it is not much, not 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 intensity, which can be painful, occurs after sleeping or after a long stay in the same position (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 posture with the simultaneous impossibility in such a situation of carrying out corrective actions, which eliminates such a posture along with the load it provides.Painful sensations themselves arise as a result of pinching under the appropriate influence of nerve roots, as well as irritation of nerves in the spinal column, irritation of ligaments and muscles (concentrated within the area of innervation, i.e. the actual location of the nerves of the respective region that controls it).
It is important to note that in an isolated form this type of osteochondrosis is extremely rare, and therefore the course of the disease is most often combined with symptoms characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis, which we will consider in our next article.
The general and earliest symptom, relevant for all forms of osteochondrosis, as we have already mentioned, is the manifestation of pain, which in this case is determined by a specific localization, i.e. pain in the lower back.The spread (radiation) of pain can be observed on the thighs and buttocks, as well as on the legs (from their outer surface).
The term used to define osteochondrosis in its expanded version (degenerative-dystrophic lesion), relevant to the intervertebral disc, actually implies a significant and diverse complex of pathological conditions directly related to different types of structures of the spine (spinal column), i.e. 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.
Protrusions in lumbar osteochondrosis
Most often, protrusions develop in this area that we are interested in;moreover, it is the protrusions that cause lower back pain.The lumbar region itself, given its position and characteristics, is the most susceptible to certain functional problems.
That is, when we look at this statement on the one hand, we can point out that our center of gravity is directly related to the lumbar part, and accordingly carries a significant part of the load.On the other hand, it can be noted that a significant range of motion, again, falls precisely on this lumbar region.Taking this into account, the greatest tendency to damage (as well as the protrusions we are interested in) occurs precisely on the discs concentrated in the lumbar region.In addition, we must not forget that disc changes in this and, of course, other areas also occur against the background of degenerative processes associated with aging.
Let's remind our readers what bumps actually are.Interconnection of the discs 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 is ensured within the vertebral disc.The influence of certain factors and conditions provokes the possibility of cracking of this ring, against the background of which, in turn, the protrusion of the core occurs.As a result of this process, a hernia occurs.As for the protrusion, it already develops as a result of a similar process, but without accompanying rupture of the annulus - in this case it is simply subject to thinning, not rupture, because the core protrudes directly through the annulus.In fact, this bump is defined as a bump.
As for the symptoms of protrusion, it manifests itself in the following:
- feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
- pain in the lumbar region;
- chronic lower back pain;
- lumbosacral radiculitis;
- numbness, pain, tingling in fingers, feet;
- urinary dysfunction (in rare cases of the relevant pathology).
Conservative treatment is mainly used for lumbar disc protrusions.Meanwhile, developmentally significant bumps 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 manifests itself in different intensity variations.Therefore, they can be pains that occur mainly after sleeping or after sitting for a long time, or they can also be shooting pains that are sharp in their manifestation.Moreover, the manifestation of the latter is often noted at the moment of taking an uncomfortable position without being able to stand up.Any type of pain is directly related to the effect on the nerve endings, muscle swelling, irritation and pinching that the nerve roots are exposed 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 pain in the lower back, in the form of sensory disturbances observed in certain areas (skin, lower half of the body, leg muscles).It is also possible that tendon reflexes in the legs will weaken or disappear completely.As a rule, osteochondrosis causes the development of curvature in the lumbar spine.
Based on the specific plane of actual curvature, osteochondrosis is divided into the following types:
- kyphosis - in this case, there is a flattening of the lumbar region, and often a bending of the back;
- lordosis - the spine bends forward;
- scoliosis - the spine is curved to the left or right.
Compression of the spinal cord root as a result of the development of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region is often determined in the form of a series of specific disorders, i.e. disorders of defecation or urination, disorders associated with sensitivity in the genital or perineal area.
As a rule, pain occurs (and worsens) as a result of the impact that occurs 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.For the most part, patients' complaints in this regard are limited to the appearance of dull and aching pain in the lumbar region, and in some cases radiating to the leg, which is defined as lumbago.In addition, there may be complaints of leg pain that intensifies when trying to lift something heavy (lumbago).The same applies to sneezing and coughing, driving while shaking, changing body position, as well as staying in the same body position for a long time.
As a result of the exacerbation of the disease in question, there is a constant and pronounced tension in the back muscles, which is manifested in the impossibility of performing actions aimed at straightening or moving.Every movement is accompanied by increased pain.In addition, even if the patient spends a short time in cold conditions, he experiences acute lumbar pain (also defined as “lumbago”).
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis also appear in the following:
- disturbed sensitivity in the thighs, buttocks, legs and feet (which is observed somewhat less often);
- foot artery spasm, increased chills in the legs;
- burning sensation in the legs, "clumsy skin";
- peeling and dry skin in the area where the loss of feeling or pain usually occurs;
- sweating disorders.
The most unpleasant complication that occurs against the background of osteochondrosis is instability of the vertebra, in which the disc stops properly fixing the vertebra.This, in turn, causes the lumbar region to “slip” under the influence of gravity from the sacrum when a load is placed on the lumbar region.As a result, not only unpleasant disorders can develop, but also dangerous disorders 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 appendages, uterus and ovaries.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis
In accordance with the most complete classification, a number of specific syndromes relevant to lumbar osteochondrosis have been identified.This particularly includes the following syndromes:
- reflex syndromes - these include lumbar ischalgia, lumbodia 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 - radiculo-ischemia is manifested as a process of vascular compression (especially veins or arteries are subjected to compression), while the compression is carried out simultaneously with the root.
Let's briefly describe these syndromes.
Lumbodyniain particular, it refers to chronic pain that occurs gradually after a long period of taking an uncomfortable body position or after sitting for a long time, as well as after impact on the body and a certain area after physical activity.
Lumbagomanifests itself in the form of acute lumbar pain, characterized as "lumbago";lumbago usually occurs when lifting heavy objects or when 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 relevant to lumbar osteochondrosis note the presence of certain problems related to the liver or the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.The fact is that the presence of a certain disease of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas or liver, along with painful impulses, causes blood vessels and muscles to tense and spasm, which results in a state of oxygen starvation with the simultaneous development of a degenerative process in certain parts of the body.The process is aggravated by metabolic disorders, which are characteristic of this type of disease.
In addition, as we mentioned earlier, pain in the lower back can cause the development of diseases in the pelvic organs.Women can encounter a disease such as appendicitis (which is defined as adnexitis), and men, in turn, experience all the "pleasures" 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 consequence of the above-mentioned diseases, including chronic colitis, hemorrhoids, and constipation.
Treatment
In general, the treatment of osteochondrosis is multi-component and quite complex in its implementation.Basically, all treatment measures boil down to the following points:
- drug treatment;
- if necessary, surgical treatment;
- diet;
- physical therapy.
Worsening of the disease requires, first of all, that the patient stays in bed.The main recommendation for this part is a hard/hard place to sleep.Severe attacks require minimal physical activity and prompt consultation with an appropriate specialist.The appearance of symptoms that indicate the possible importance of lumbar osteochondrosis requires contacting a neurologist.