After thirty years, many people have at least once experienced pain in the lumbar region. By the age of sixty, this malaise 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. 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, since it is the lower back that most often suffers from high loads. The lumbar region contains five vertebrae, in addition, it connects the sacrum to the thoracic region. The intervertebral discs, made up of the nucleus pulposus, give it its flexibility. These elements are located inside the annulus fibrosis.
Osteochondrosis causes a nutrient deficiency in the discs. Due to this, they become less elastic. In addition, their height is reduced. The reduction in the distance between the vertebrae causes damage to 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 leads to pain in the back and legs, and numbness may develop.
After the changes spread, the possibility of repairing the spine decreases. Sometimes hernias and subluxations appear - these disorders are associated with pain. Subsequently, even disc rupture and pinching of nerve endings can occur.
With the further development of the disease, the vessels, ligaments and spinal cord begin to participate in the process. Bony growths may develop. At the last stage, paralysis and paresis develop. Sometimes the functioning of the pelvic organs is disturbed.
In young people, the disease progresses continuously. In old age, pathology may not manifest itself in any way, despite the presence of changes. If the treatment of the disease is not started in time, very dangerous consequences can develop.
Degrees
The pathology is irreversible, and its symptoms are directly determined by the degree:
- First degree. During this period, pathological processes occur in the pulpy nucleus. There is 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 leads to the appearance of pathologies of the arteries of the legs.
- Second degree. The destruction of the fibrous annulus progresses. Due to the loss of stability, the vertebrae become too mobile. As a result, the muscle tissue is overloaded. The patient has a great fatigue of the muscles of the lower back, a feeling of discomfort.
- Third degree. The annulus fibrosis ruptures, resulting in the release of the contents of the nucleus pulposus. This process causes the formation of a hernia. There are radicular syndromes. Initially, the patient feels high sensitivity in the affected area, burning, tingling, numbness. Sometimes the sensitivity may go away completely. In severe cases, paralysis and muscle atrophy develop.
- Fourth degree. The work of the vertebrae, the structure of the joints and ligaments is disturbed. Joint osteoarthritis 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 provokes a lack of oxygen 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 of the pelvic organs. They can be associated with constipation, colitis, hemorrhoids. In women, these problems are the result of inflammation of the appendages, and in men - prostatitis.
Causes of osteochondrosis also include the following:
- Lack of physical activity.
- Diseases of the joints.
- Digestive problems.
- Back injury.
- Pathology of the heart and blood vessels.
- Diseases of the endocrine system.
- Problems with the spine.
- Inflammation.
- Flat foot.
- Increase in physical activity.
- Metabolism disorder.
- The age changes.
There are also risk factors that significantly increase the likelihood of developing lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Overweight;
- heredity;
- irrational nutrition;
- violation of posture;
- 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 feelings 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 pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of 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 in posture;
- asymmetry of the buttocks;
- loss of sensitivity;
- fatigue;
- tingling and feeling cold in the legs;
- loss of activity;
- insomnia;
- emotional instability.
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis is usually the result of careless movement or high load. Also, a relapse of the disease often occurs due to hypothermia. Sharp pains can be felt not only in the lower back - they often affect the lower extremities. During an exacerbation, a person tries to find a comfortable position in order to make the pain go away.
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 make themselves felt during careless movements or loads. But over time, the pain is constantly present and has a painful character. Sometimes there are exacerbations when the discomfort becomes more pronounced. In advanced cases, the pain appears during sneezing, coughing, light exertion.
When the nerve endings are pinched, a radicular syndrome develops, which is characterized by such manifestations:
- shots in the back;
- loss of sensation in the limbs;
- tingling in the legs;
- weakening of tendon reflexes;
- violation of sweating;
- leg chills;
- muscular weakness.
As the disease progresses, the back loses its flexibility and any change in position or load on the body leads to severe pain. As a result, mobility is limited, a person has difficulty bending, 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 are pinched, which leads to problems with the nutrition of the spinal cord.
As a result, pain, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes appear. Enuresis, faecal 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 disturbed. Digestion problems can also occur.
This form of osteochondrosis can cause spinal instability. Under the effect of gravity, the lower back seems to slip from 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 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 "ponytail" syndrome, which is considered a consequence of a violation of the nerve roots. In advanced situations, it can cause paralysis and paresis of the limbs.
Diagnostic methods
To diagnose osteochondrosis, the doctor examines the patient's medical history and conducts a visual examination. Routine urine and blood tests are also done. With their help, 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 should be examined by a urologist.
The following types of diagnostics are required:
- x-ray;
- computed tomography;
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
How to treat
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.
Among the drugs used, anti-inflammatories and analgesics. Be sure to take B vitamins. To cope with psychogenic disorders, sedatives and anticonvulsants are used. During an exacerbation, novocaine blockade can be used.
Among non-drug 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 have extremely negative health consequences. To prevent this from happening, it is very important to consult a doctor in case of discomfort in the back.