Many people after thirty years have at least once experienced lower back pain. By age sixty, this discomfort occurs in 80% of people. Almost always, the cause is lumbar osteochondrosis. This pathology causes the development of unpleasant symptoms and can greatly impair the quality of human life. To avoid 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 lumbar region 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 within the annulus fibrosus.
Osteochondrosis causes a nutrient deficiency in the discs. Because of this, they become less elastic. In addition, its height is reduced. Reducing the distance between the vertebrae causes the violation of the nerve roots. As a result, tangible pain occurs in the lower back.
In the early stage, symptoms of osteochondrosis are mild and may even be absent altogether. However, disease progression leads to back and leg pain, and numbness may occur.
After propagation of the changes, the possibility of fixation of the column 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 may occur.
With the subsequent development of the disease, 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 Organs pelvic organs is disrupted.
In young people, the disease progresses continuously. In old age, the pathology may not manifest itself at all, despite the presence of changes. If the treatment of the disease is not started in time, very dangerous consequences can occur.
Degrees
The pathology is irreversible and its symptoms are directly determined by the degree:
- First degree. During this period, pathological processes occur in the nucleus pulposus. There is discomfort associated with irritation of the nerve endings. They can be sharp or sore 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.
- High school. Destruction of the annulus fibrosus progresses. Due to the loss of stability, the vertebrae become very mobile. As a result, muscle tissue is overworked. The patient has a high fatigue of the muscles of the lower back, a feeling of discomfort.
- Third degree. The annulus fibrosus ruptures, which leads 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, burning sensation, tingling, numbness. Sometimes the sensitivity can go away completely. In severe cases, paralysis and muscle atrophy develop.
- Fourth degree. The work of the vertebrae, the structure of joints and ligaments is interrupted. Joint arthrosis develops. The pain may disappear, the support function of the spine is restored, but the amplitude is significantly reduced. The fourth degree is characterized by a variety of disease symptoms.
The reasons
More than a third of patients with this osteochondrosis have problems with their liver or digestive organs. In the presence of such deviations, tension and spasms of muscles and blood vessels occur, which causes oxygen deficiency and the appearance of dystrophic abnormalities. These processes are exacerbated by metabolic disorders.
The appearance of this form of osteochondrosis is often the result of congestion in Organs 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.
- Joint diseases.
- Digestive problems.
- Back injury.
- Pathology of the heart and blood vessels.
- Endocrine system diseases.
- Column problems.
- Inflammation.
- Flat foot.
- Increase in physical activity.
- Metabolism disorder.
- Age changes.
There are also risk factors that greatly 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 pain syndrome and can have a different character. Osteochondrosis is characterized by pulling, aching, and cutting sensations. Discomfort can be felt not only in the leg, but also in the tailbone or lower chest.
The photo shows osteochondrosis pain syndrome in the lumbar spine
In addition to pain, there are such violations:
- muscle tension;
- reproductive system problems;
- violation of the menstrual cycle in women;
- constipation;
- posture change;
- asymmetry of the buttocks;
- loss of sensitivity;
- fatigue;
- tingling and 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 usually occurs due to hypothermia. Sharp pains can be felt not only in the lower back - they often affect the lower limbs. During an exacerbation, a person tries to find a comfortable position to get the pain to 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 leg near the sciatic nerve. The manifestations of the disease do not occur immediately, but approximately in the second stage of the development of the disease.
At first, they are felt during careless movement or loading. 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, pain appears when sneezing, coughing, making small efforts.
When nerve endings are pinched, a radicular syndrome develops, characterized by such manifestations:
- shots in the back;
- loss of sensation in the limbs;
- tingling in the legs;
- weakening of tendon reflexes;
- sweating violation;
- coldness of the legs;
- muscle weakness.
As the disease progresses, the back loses flexibility and any change in body position or load leads to severe pain. As a result, mobility is limited, a person experiences difficulty in bending, muscle spasms.
Effects
If you ignore the symptoms of osteochondrosis, sooner or later the disease will lead to negative consequences. As the distance between the vertebrae decreases, the vessels are compressed, which leads to 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 spinal cord compression. As a result, the legs may lose sensation, reflexes disappear. Sometimes the work of the organs of the reproductive and urinary systems is interrupted. Digestion problems can also occur.
This form of osteochondrosis can cause spinal instability. Under the influence of gravity, the lower back appears to slide out of 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 blood circulation problems 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 limb paralysis and paresis.
diagnostic methods
To diagnose osteochondrosis, the doctor looks at the patient's medical history and performs a visual examination. Common urine and blood tests are also performed. 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 an appointment with a gynecologist. Men need to be examined by a urologist.
The following types of diagnostics are required:
- radiography;
- computed tomography;
- MRI image.
how to treat
For the treatment of the disease, medical, physiotherapeutic and surgical techniques can be used. The main objective 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 deal with psychogenic disorders, sedatives and anticonvulsants are used. During an exacerbation, novocaine blockade may be used.
Of the 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.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar is considered a quite dangerous pathology that can lead to extremely negative consequences for health. To prevent this from happening, it is very important to see a doctor if any back discomfort occurs.