Lumbar osteochondrosis is one of the most common underlying diseases of osteochondrosis itself.Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis are the same in men and women and manifest as pain concentrated in the sacral region, reflected in symptoms in the lower limbs, which are often independently defined by patients as "lumbar nerve compression."
General instructions
Most often, the osteochondrosis under consideration develops against the background of back injuries and a sedentary lifestyle; therefore, people whose specific occupational activities involve loads affecting the back are automatically at risk of developing this disease.Of course, this is not just office workers, who of course fall into this group, but also loaders, construction workers, service workers (e.g. waiters), drivers, etc.
In the context of considering osteochondrosis of the chest, genetic factors also play an important role.Here, the likelihood of developing the disease is not very high, not very small, but about 60%, if the disease is present in a close relative.The rest are influenced by environmental factors that affect the spine in some way.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, like other forms, is characterized by varying degrees of pain, which can range from soreness after sleep or after staying in the same position for a long time (while sitting, standing) to stabbing and sharp pains.In the latter version, they arise due to the long-term adoption of less comfortable postures, at the same time in which it is impossible to perform movements aimed at erecting the body, thus eliminating this posture and the load it provides.The sensation of pain itself arises from squeezing under the corresponding influence of the nerve roots, irritation of the spinal nerves, irritation of the ligaments and muscles (concentrated in the innervated area, that is, the actual location of the nerve in the area that controls the nerve) and swelling.
It is worth noting that this type of osteochondrosis is extremely rare in isolated form, therefore, most often the course of the disease is combined with symptoms inherent to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which we will consider in the next article.
As we have already stated, the general and earliest symptom associated with all forms of osteochondrosis is the manifestation of pain, which in this case is determined by a specific site, namely pain in the lower back.Diffusion (radiation) of pain can be noted into the thighs and buttocks, as well as into the legs (from their outer surface).
The term used to define osteochondrosis (degenerative dystrophic disease), in relation to the intervertebral discs, actually means a diverse complexity of pathological conditions directly related to various types of structures of the spinal column (vertebral column), namely discs, joints and osteophytes.Problems directly related to disc injuries are disc herniation and discogenic pain.Types and areas of concentration of osteochondrosis.
Lumbar osteochondrosis protrusion
Protrusions occur most frequently in this area of our interest; moreover, it is the protrusions that cause pain in the lower back.Given its location and characteristics, the lumbar region itself is most susceptible to certain functional problems.
That is, when considering this statement from the side, we can emphasize that our center of gravity is directly related to the lumbar area and, therefore, it bears a large part of the load.When looking from the other side, one can notice that a large amount of movement falls precisely on this lumbar area again.With this in mind, the most vulnerable areas for damage (and the herniations we're interested in) happen to be on the discs, which are concentrated in the lumbar area.Furthermore, we must not forget that disc changes in this and other areas also occur in the context of age-related degenerative processes.
Let us remind the reader what a protrusion is.The interconnection of the intervertebral discs in the spine is ensured by the intervertebral discs, which are based on cartilage tissue.The main components of the intervertebral disc are the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus, which ensure intradiscal fixation.The influence of certain factors and conditions gives rise to the possibility of rupture of this ring, against which background protrusion of the core occurs.The result of this process is the formation of a hernia.As for protrusion, it has developed as a result of a similar process, but without accompanying rupture of the ring - in this case, it simply thins rather than breaks, as the core protrudes directly through the ring.In fact, this protrusion is defined as a protrusion.
As for the prominent symptoms, they are mainly manifested in the following aspects:
- A feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
- lower back pain;
- Chronic low back pain;
- Lumbosacral radiculitis;
- Numbness, pain, and tingling in toes and feet;
- Urinary dysfunction (in rare pathological cases).
Conservative treatment is mainly used for lumbar disc herniation.At the same time, significant protrusions in development are often accompanied by severe symptoms that are difficult to treat; in this case, surgical intervention is no longer possible.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms
The pain of this type of osteochondrosis manifests itself in various intensity variations.Therefore, these pains may be aches and pains that occur primarily after sleep or after sitting for long periods of time, or they may manifest as sharp, stabbing pains.Furthermore, manifestations of the latter are usually noticed when one is in an uncomfortable position and unable to stand upright.Any type of pain is directly related to the impact on the nerve endings, muscle swelling, irritation and compression of the exposed nerve roots.Pain is also related to irritation of the areas innervated by the nerve endings of the lumbar ligaments.
Increased lower back pain in this form of osteochondrosis is observed when coughing and sneezing, including during body movements (especially when bending forward).
In addition to low back pain, lumbar osteochondrosis can also manifest as sensory disturbances in certain areas (skin, lower body, leg muscles).Tendon reflexes in the legs may also be diminished or completely absent.In general, osteochondrosis causes curvature of the lumbar spine.
Depending on the specific plane of actual curvature, osteochondrosis is divided into the following types:
- Kyphosis - In this condition, the lumbar area becomes flat and the back is often rounded;
- Lordosis – the forward curvature of the spine;
- Scoliosis - A curvature of the spine to the left or right.
Compression of the roots belonging to the spinal cord due to the development of lumbar osteochondrosis is often identified in the form of a number of specific diseases, namely defecation or urination disorders, diseases related to sensitivity in the genital or perineal area.
Often, pain occurs (and can be exacerbated) due to the impact that occurs during physical activity.In this case, a pain response can be observed both after this load and some time after its impact.Basically, patient complaints in this area boil down to a dull, aching pain in the lower back that in some cases radiates to the legs, which is defined as low back pain.Additionally, one may complain of increased leg pain (low back pain) when trying to lift heavy objects.The same goes for sneezing and coughing, shaking while driving, changing body position, and staying in the same body position for long periods of time.
Due to the progression of the associated disease, persistent and significant tension in the back muscles manifests itself in the inability to perform movements aimed at straightening or moving.Any movement will be accompanied by an increase in pain.Additionally, patients can develop acute low back pain (also known as "lumbar pain") even if they spend only a short time in a cold environment.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis also appear in the following areas:
- Impaired sensitivity of the thighs, buttocks, legs, and feet (less common);
- Spasm of arteries in the feet and increased coldness in the legs;
- Tingling and "goosebumps" in the legs;
- Flaking and dry skin in areas usually affected by loss of sensation or pain;
- Sweating disorders.
The most unpleasant complication of osteochondrosis is vertebral instability, in which the discs fail to hold the vertebrae properly.When a load is placed on the lumbar area, this in turn causes "slippage" from the sacrum under the influence of gravity in the lumbar area.As a result, not only unpleasant, but also dangerous disorders affecting the function of internal organs may occur.The genitourinary system is particularly "impaired"; this manifests itself in sexual performance problems in men 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 associated with lumbar osteochondrosis have been identified.In particular, these include the following syndromes:
- Reflex syndrome – including lumbar ischemia, low back pain, and low back pain;
- Radicul syndrome - vertebral (or discogenic) sacrolumbar radiculitis, the course of which is primarily accompanied by damage to the first sacral root or the fifth lumbar root;
- Radiculovascular syndrome - Nerve root ischemia manifests itself as a process of vascular compression (especially compression of veins or arteries) that occurs simultaneously with the roots.
Let’s give a brief overview of what the listed syndromes are.
LombardinhaIn particular, it refers to chronic pain that gradually occurs after the body is in an uncomfortable position or sitting for a long time, and after physical activity exerts impact on the body and specific parts.
low back painIt manifests as acute low back pain, characterized by "low back pain"; low back pain mainly occurs when lifting heavy objects or when movements are unsuccessful.Sometimes lower back pain occurs after coughing or sneezing.
Associated diseases of lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis not only occurs in combination with the listed symptoms such as pain, but also occurs in combination with some characteristic diseases of internal organs.
Thus, approximately more than 30% of patients with clinical symptoms associated with lumbar osteochondrosis note the presence of some problem related to liver or gastrointestinal function.In fact, the presence of a specific disease of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas or liver can cause painful impulses, tension and spasms in blood vessels and muscles, leading to a state of hypoxia, while degenerative processes occur in certain parts of the body.This process is exacerbated by metabolic disorders, which are inherent to this type of disease.
Additionally, as we noted before, low back pain can trigger the development of pelvic organ disease.Women may experience conditions such as adnexitis (defined as adnexitis), while men experience all the "fun" of prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate.
The manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis are also accompanied by congestion in the pelvic area, which is caused by the above-mentioned diseases, including chronic colitis, hemorrhoids and constipation.
treat
In most cases, treatment of osteochondrosis is multifaceted and quite complex to implement.Most treatments come down to the following:
- drug treatment;
- Perform surgical treatment if necessary;
- diet;
- Physical therapy.
The progression of the disease first requires the patient to rest in bed.The main recommendation for this section is a hard/hard sleeping area.Extremely pronounced attacks require minimal physical activity and immediate consultation with an appropriate specialist.If you develop symptoms that suggest possible association with lumbar osteochondrosis, you need to contact a neurologist.