Lumbar osteochondrosis is one of the most common forms of the underlying disease, osteochondrosis itself.Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are defined equally in both men and women, manifests itself as pain concentrated in the sacral region, which is reflected in its symptoms in the lower extremities, which are often independently defined by patients as "pinching of the lumbar nerve."
Overview
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 it's not just office workers, who, of course, belong to this group, but also porters, bricklayers, service workers (waiters, for example), drivers, etc.
The hereditary factor also plays an important role in the context of the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.In this case, 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, influence the spine.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, like its other forms, is characterized by pain of varying degrees of severity, which can be painful, appear after sleeping or after being in the same position for a long time (long sitting, standing), as well as stabbing and sharp.In the latter version, they arise as a result of the prolonged adoption of an uncomfortable posture with the simultaneous impossibility in such a situation of implementing actions aimed at straightening, thus eliminating said posture along with the load it provides.The painful sensations themselves arise as a result of pinching under the corresponding influence of the nerve roots, as well as irritation of the nerves of the spine, irritation of the ligaments and muscles (concentrated within the area of innervation, that is, the actual location of the nerves of the region in question that control it) and swelling.
It is important to note that in isolation this type of osteochondrosis is extremely rare, and therefore most often the course of the disease is combined with the symptoms inherent in 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 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 noticed in the thighs and buttocks, as well as in the legs (from their outer surface).
The term used to define osteochondrosis in its broadest version (degenerative-dystrophic lesion), relevant to the intervertebral disc, actually implies a significant in its diversity complex of pathological conditions directly related to various types of structures of the vertebral column (spine), namely discs, joints and osteophytes.The same problems that are directly related to disc damage are its protrusion and discogenic pain.Types of osteochondrosis and areas of concentration.
Lumps in lumbar osteochondrosis.
Lumps in this area of interest to us develop more frequently;Additionally, it is the bumps that cause pain in the lower back.The lumbar region itself, given its location and characteristics, is the most susceptible to the appearance of certain functional problems.
That is, considering this statement from the side, we can highlight that our center of gravity is directly related to the lumbar region and, consequently, supports a significant part of the loads.Seen from the other side, it can be seen that an important range of movements falls precisely on this lumbar region.Taking this into account, the greatest tendency to damage (as well as the protuberances that interest us) occurs precisely in the discs concentrated in the lumbar region.In addition, we must not forget that changes in the discs in this and, of course, other areas also occur against the background of age-related degenerative processes.
Let's remind our readers what bumps really are.The connection of the discs to each other in the spine is ensured by discs based on cartilaginous tissue.The main components of the intervertebral disc are the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus, through which fixation within the vertebral disc is ensured.The influence of certain factors and conditions causes the possibility of rupture of this ring, in the context of which, in turn, a protrusion of the nucleus occurs.As a result of this process, a hernia develops.As for protrusion, it is already developing as a result of a similar process, but without the subsequent rupture of the ring;in this case it is simply subject to thinning and not rupture, because the core protrudes directly through the ring.This bulge is actually defined as a protrusion.
As for the symptoms of protrusion, it manifests itself as follows:
- feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
- pain in the lumbar region;
- chronic low back pain;
- lumbosacral radiculitis;
- numbness, pain, tingling in the toes, feet;
- urination dysfunction (in rare cases of the pathology in question).
Conservative treatment is mainly used for lumbar disc protrusion.Meanwhile, bumps that are important 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 manifests itself in various variations in intensity.Therefore, these can be aching pains that appear mainly after sleeping or after sitting for a long period, or they can also be stabbing pains that are sharp in their manifestation.In addition, the manifestation of the latter is usually noticed at the moment of occupying an uncomfortable position without the possibility of straightening.Any type of pain is directly related to the effect on the nerve endings, muscle swelling, irritation and pinching to which the nerve roots are exposed.Pain is also associated with irritation of the lumbar ligaments in the zone of innervation of their nerve endings.
Increased pain in the lower back is observed in this form of osteochondrosis when coughing and sneezing, including during body movements (especially when bending forward).
Lumbar osteochondrosis can manifest itself, in addition to low back pain, also in the form of sensory alterations that are observed in certain areas (skin, lower half of the body, leg muscles).It is also possible for the tendon reflexes in the legs to weaken or disappear completely.As a rule, it is osteochondrosis that provokes the development of a curvature in the lumbar spine.
Depending 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 back is arched;
- lordosis - the spine bends forward;
- scoliosis: the spine is curved to the left or right.
Pinching of the roots of the spinal cord as a result of the development of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region is often determined in the form of a number of specific disorders, namely, disorders of defecation or urination, disorders associated with sensitivity in the genital or perineal area.
As a general rule, pain appears (and also worsens) as a result of the impact produced during physical activity.In this case, a painful reaction can be observed both after this load and after some time from the moment of its impact.Basically, patients' complaints in this regard are reduced to the appearance of a dull, painful pain in the lumbar region, which in some cases radiates to the leg, which is defined as lumbodynia.Additionally, there may be complaints of pain in the leg 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 an exacerbation of the disease in question, a constant and pronounced tension occurs in the muscles of the back, which manifests itself in the inability to perform actions aimed at straightening or moving.Any movement is accompanied by increased pain.Furthermore, even if the patient spends little time in cold conditions, they experience acute low back pain (also defined as “lumbago”).
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis also appear in the following:
- altered sensation in the thighs, buttocks, legs, and feet (seen less frequently);
- spasm of the arteries in the feet, increased chills 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 arises against the background of osteochondrosis is vertebral instability, in which the disc ceases to properly fix the vertebra.This, in turn, causes a "slip" under the influence of gravity of the lumbar region from the sacrum when the load is applied to the lumbar region.As a result of this, not only unpleasant, but also dangerous alterations can develop that affect the functioning of internal organs.In particular, the genitourinary system “suffers”;This manifests itself in men as potency problems and in women as problems related to the appendages, uterus and ovaries.
Manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis.
According to the most complete classification, a number of specific syndromes are identified that are relevant to lumbar osteochondrosis.In particular, these include the following syndromes:
- reflex syndromes: these include lumbar iscalgia, lumbodynia and lumbago;
- radicular syndromes: vertebrogenic (or discogenic) lumbosacral 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 occurs simultaneously with the root.
Let's briefly summarize what the listed syndromes are.
lumbodyniaIn particular, it refers to chronic pain that appears gradually after a long period of adopting an uncomfortable position with the body or after sitting for a long time, as well as after the impact exerted on the body and a specific area after physical activity.
low back painIt manifests itself in the form of acute low back pain, characterized as “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 with some characteristic diseases of internal organs.
Thus, approximately more than 30% of patients with clinical symptoms related 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 particular disease of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas or liver provokes, along with pain impulses, tension in the 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.
Also, as we noted above, lower back pain can provoke the development of diseases in the pelvic organs.Women can face a disease such as inflammation of the appendages (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 result of the above diseases, such as chronic colitis, hemorrhoids and constipation.
Treatment
Basically, the treatment of osteochondrosis is multicomponent and quite complex in its implementation.Basically, all treatment measures come down to the following points:
- pharmacological treatment;
- if necessary, surgical treatment;
- diet;
- physiotherapy.
An exacerbation of the disease requires, first of all, that the patient remain in bed.The main recommendation for this part is a hard place to sleep.Extremely pronounced attacks require minimal physical activity and immediate consultation with a suitable specialist.The appearance of symptoms indicating the possible relevance of lumbar osteochondrosis requires contacting a neurologist.