The lumbar spine is quite mobile and at the same time experiences heavy loads, regardless of a person's lifestyle and the work he performs. Therefore, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is one of the most common cases of this disease. It affects both men and women, most often after 25 to 30 years of age, but recently the disease has become much younger. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, without treatment, progresses regularly and can even lead to disability.
Causes
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease, as a result of which the intervertebral discs begin to collapse, a change in the distance between the vertebrae and the discs occurs, a displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other, followed byirritation or compression of the spinal cord, nerve endings, and blood vessels that run along the spine.
The reasons that lead to the development of osteochondrosis are usually the consequence of excessive load on the spine: heavy lifting, excess weight, back injuries, sedentary lifestyle. The situation is significantly aggravated by diseases leading to metabolic disorders, lack of sleep, stress and poor diet.
Symptoms
A common symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis is lower back pain. They can occur during physical activity, at rest, during a change in posture, etc. Painful sensations can radiate, that is, spread further than where the nerve is pinched, for example radiating down the leg.
As the deformity of the vertebrae worsens, it becomes painful to perform even very simple movements: bending, turning, etc. , which considerably degrades the quality of life. Symptoms of genitourinary disorders may also appear, including involuntary urination.
Complications
Without timely and adequate treatment, progressive deformities of the intervertebral discs can lead to serious complications: the spine loses flexibility, and due to pain it becomes impossible to perform simple actions such as bending and turning. With a long course of the disease, due to pinching of the nerves by bony growths, complications extending to the genitourinary region and inflammation of the sciatic nerve are possible. Pain can occur even with coughing or minor physical activity.
Treatment
As a rule, medications for osteochondrosis provide only temporary relief, relieving pain. Some of them warm up the muscles, locally increasing superficial blood circulation, but this is clearly not enough for the complete restoration of cartilage tissue. Especially if there is pinching of nerves and blood vessels. Therefore, symptoms of the disease usually return quickly.
Due to the development of the disease, not only the spine itself suffers, but also muscles, blood vessels and even internal organs. The work of an osteopathic doctor is not to treat the external symptoms of the disease, but to identify and eliminate the root cause of its occurrence.
Osteopathic treatment has no contraindications to the treatment of osteochondrosis and is comfortable and safe for patients of any age. In 90% of cases, it avoids surgical treatment and is equally effective at all stages of the disease. Especially with problems with internal organs, which are the result of pinching of the spinal cord and its roots. In addition, osteopathic treatment is necessarily indicated for patients with herniations and disc protrusions. It is completely safe and extremely effective. Based on our observations, this is probably the most effective treatment method.
Lower back pain, numbness spreading to the legs, a feeling that the legs are literally falling, inability to bend, turn and walk normally - these are common symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Lumbar osteochondrosis is a "disease of civilization" directly linked to the vertical posture of humans. The disease causes stiffness of movements and back pain. These symptoms prevent you from leading an active life and can cause more serious illnesses, including internal organs. In case of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, any sudden movement or lifting of weights can cause severe pain in the lower back.
No two patients are the same. Everyone is unique. In our practice, we encountered diagnoses where the list of diseases looked like a quote from a medical encyclopedia. For example, patient Anastasia, 69 years old: coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, stage II hypertension, chronic cholecystitis, left kidney cyst, hyperplastic process of the endometrium. And finally, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, polyarthrosis, osteoporosis. How can we help such a patient? With so many serious neglected diseases? And what does lumbar osteochondrosis have to do with it?
The meaning of treatment, according to the doctors of our centers, is to restore the speed and volume of blood flow in the systemic circulation by performing sequential exercises of the first, second and third floors of the body: i. e. intendedlegs, abs and back.
In the absence of normal blood circulation in the lumbar spine as well as in the spine, a lack of oxygen occurs, which affects the normal functioning of the entire body, with emphasis on the internal organs of the small pelvis. Hence a whole bunch of diseases from the internal organs to the cardiovascular system.
As a rule, when examining patients with lumbar osteochondrosis, we identify excessive tension in the paravertebral muscles of the thoracic and spinal regions, lack of elasticity in the muscles of the thigh and lower extremities in general -i. e. muscular rigidity - they are hard.
Most patients are unable to reach the tips of their toes with their hands, and often even their knees. The muscles are so weakened that they cannot support their own weight well, let alone perform simple household tasks.
Every day the lumbar spine, as the most stressed part, is subjected to a number of static and dynamic loads, therefore it is rightly considered one of the most vulnerable. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which are discussed in this article, is a real "scourge" of patients after 35 years of age.
Lumbar osteochondrosisis a pathology characterized by the development of dystrophic disorders of the intervertebral discs of the lumbosacral spine. The discs provide flexibility and mobility of the spine, however, under the influence of a number of factors, their structure is disrupted, they lose their firmness, elasticity, turgor, which can lead to theappearance of a protrusion, and subsequently - spinal herniation, as well as pinching of nerve endings and roots.
You can undergo treatment for lumbar osteochondrosis at the clinic. Timely seeking professional medical help is an opportunity to stop destructive processes and restore the health of your spine.
Causes
Lumbar osteochondrosis can appear due to several factors:
- spinal injuries; ;
- static and dynamic overloads of the spine;
- poor distribution of the load on the spine;
- spinal mobility;
- intense physical activity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- age-related changes.
Clinical manifestations
Clinical manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis in the initial stage are not clearly expressed in the form of limited mobility and stiffness. However, as the disease develops, painful symptoms appear, localized in the lumbar and back areas. The pain radiates to the sacrum, legs and (sometimes) to the pelvic organs. The pain intensifies when twisting and turning and often becomes unbearable. Additionally, the following symptoms are observed:
- limited movement;
- curvature, "tilt", scoliosis of the lumbar spine;
- muscle spasms;
- lameness in one or both legs;
- a feeling of weakness, impaired sensitivity of the skin of the legs, a decrease in reflexes - with compression of nerve endings.
Diagnostic
Before prescribing treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, specialists conduct comprehensive diagnostic studies that allow them to correctly make a diagnosis, determine the degree of development of the pathology and its consequences both for the spine and for thepatient's body as a whole. They understand:
Osteochondrosis– one of the most common diseases of the 21st century.
Sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, poor diet, constant stress, all these factors eventually lead to wear and tear of the intervertebral cartilage.
The cartilage loses its elasticity, becomes fragile and the disease progresses, considerably deteriorating the quality of life.
Patients with osteochondrosis experience problems of varying complexity: from pain to disruption of the functioning of internal organs.
The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis are also:
- Age-related changes
- Spinal Injuries
- Posture disorders
- Rachiocampsis
- Flat foot
- Hereditary predisposition
- Excessive exercise
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis include aching pain in the back or lower back, aggravated by sudden movements and changes in body position, radiating to the buttocks and legs, anterior abdominal wall, areagroin, accompanied by burning, tingling, numbness, and the appearance of "goosebumps".
In addition, with lumbar osteochondrosis, a decrease in skin sensitivity is observed in the thighs, buttocks and legs, and less often in the feet. There is increased chills in the legs, a feeling of weakness in the legs as well as curvature of the lumbar spine.
You should know that in most cases the cause of complaints of lower back pain is precisely osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Patients with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine require prompt and adequate treatment. Otherwise, the destruction of cartilage, ligaments and vertebrae will progress, which can lead to dysfunction of internal organs and disability.
Modern restorative medicine can significantly improve the condition of patients with lumbar osteochondrosis. Significant improvement can be achieved using a range of methods, including physiotherapy, acupuncture, medication, therapeutic massage and much more, depending on individual prescriptions.
Lumbar osteochondrosis- a very common form of osteochondrosis. This occurs in both men and women. Patients themselves often "misdiagnose" it as a "pinched lumbar nerve", since the pain that occurs with lumbar osteochondrosis is concentrated in the sacral region.
Usually, pain is the main symptom of this disease. This comes in different intensities. Some people experience aching pain that occurs after sitting or sleeping for a long time, others experience "throbbing" and sharp pain. In this case, pain occurs when the patient takes an uncomfortable position. Due to severe pain, a person cannot straighten up.
Pain in the sacral areaoccur due to pinched nerve endings, muscle swelling, and pinched nerve roots. Pain may also begin due to irritation of the lumbar ligaments.
Lower back painit intensifies with almost any body movement, mainly when you lean forward. Even a simple sneeze or cough results in increased pain.
However, lumbar osteochondrosis has other symptoms. First of all, these are disorders of the sensitivity of the skin, muscles of the legs and lower half of the body. Some patients also experience weakening of tendon reflexes in the legs and, in particularly severe cases, their complete disappearance. Osteochondrosis is a factor in the development of scoliosis of the lumbar spine, mainly in children and the elderly.
Lumbar osteochondrosis also has the following clinical symptoms:
Symptom of lumbar osteochondrosisand at the same time, its most unpleasant complication is spinal instability. The disc stops fixing the vertebra. As a result, when subjected to load, the lumbar spine practically "slips" from the sacrum, which leads to intense and unbearable pain. In addition, with this pathology, the functioning of internal organs is disrupted. First of all, it concerns the genitourinary system. Lumbar osteochondrosis affects a man's potency and causes gynecological problems in a woman.
Unfortunately, modern medicine has not yet invented a remedy that can quickly and easily solve this problem. Treatment of osteochondrosis is very complex and long-term. It must be comprehensive and only in this case can good results be obtained.
Treatment measures for lumbar osteochondrosis include:
In particularly severe cases, surgery may be performed.
INtreatment of osteochondrosisSanatorium treatment is very effective.
In case of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, the patient is prescribed bed rest. Additionally, the patient must lie on a hard mattress.
In case of severe attacks, the patient should move as little as possible and seek help from a specialist. A neurologist is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of osteochondrosis.
If any of the above symptoms are detected, you should consult a neurologist
You can make an appointment by calling 8 (928) 337-60-60.
Osteochondrosis of the lower back
Of all diseases of the peripheral nervous system, osteochondrosis of the spine accounts for 80%, of which 60-80% affect the lumbar region, consisting of 5 vertebrae. In 40% of people, the first signs of the disease appear between the ages of 30 and 35. In older people, osteochondrosis of the spine is diagnosed in 90% of people. Painful sensations are experienced by 7 out of 10 people, the exacerbation can last from 6 to 16 months.
Developmental stages
1st – the appearance of degenerative disorders, affecting nerve endings and disrupting blood supply. The inflammatory process causes pain that radiates to the legs. The patient feels occasional tingling in the back and buttocks. Appears after intense physical effort.
2nd – the outer shell of the intervertebral disc (annulus fibrosus) is destroyed. The distance between the vertebrae is reduced, the nerve endings are compressed, which causes intense and sharp pain. The symptoms are particularly pronounced when walking.
3rd – due to excessive mobility of the vertebrae, muscle fibers and nerve endings are compressed. Spasms, numbness, burning pain, hernias occur - displacement of the intervertebral disc in the spinal cord.
4th – the growth of pathological exostoses on the bone structure. The spine literally "turns to stone". Progressive osteoarthritis and lack of treatment immobilize the patient.
Reasons for development
The disease develops slowly, under the confluence of a number of circumstances, that is, the development of the disease depends on the influence of not one, but several factors:
Sedentary lifestyle (physical inactivity), sedentary work, low level of physical activity. At first glance, they are not dangerous. However, with prolonged exposure, muscle tone, called "muscle corset, " is weakened. It supports the spine and internal organs. Thus, physical inactivity causes a disruption in the functioning of a number of systems - blood circulation, breathing, digestion.
Overweight. With a BMI (Quetelet body mass index) greater than 25 kg/m2, excess weight creates additional stress on the body: it puts pressure on the spine, overloads the joints and impairs blood supply.
Endocrine pathological processes. Hormonal imbalance, disorders in the functioning of the adrenal glands and the thyroid gland "slow down" the body’s metabolism. Frequent hormonal changes "wash away" calcium from bone tissue, making it weak and brittle.
Unbalanced diet. Popular and affordable fast food fully satisfies the body's energy needs, while from the point of view of saturating the body with the necessary vitamins and microelements, it is absolutely useless.
In men whose profession involves significant physical activity, lumbar osteochondrosis occurs several times more often.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Pain is the main marker of the onset of the disease and its location. Depending on the nature of the appearance, frequency and duration, a preliminary diagnosis can be made. Most often, patients with lumbar osteochondrosis experience aching pain radiating to the leg, groin and coccyx. In a horizontal position, the discomfort disappears.
Spinal nerves extend from the trunk of the spine to different parts of the body. Each nerve is responsible for a specific area. This is called "segmental innervation". It is for this reason that the affected nerve "responds" in a specific area: this is how "radicular syndrome" manifests itself.
The spinal nerve map helps identify pain with a specific area of the spine: C1-C8 - 8 cervical, T1-T12 - 12 thoracic, L1-L5 - 5 lumbar, S1-S5 - 5 sacral, C0 -2 coccygeus. Signs of osteochondrosis depending on segmental innervation:
L3-L4 – weak knee reflex, partial numbness, and episodic loss of sensation are noted along the anterior aspect of the thigh;
L4-L5 – muscle weakness, the patient is unable to fix his body while standing on the heels, pain and sensory disturbances spread to the area from the lower back to the buttock, as well as to the entire lateral surface ofthe thigh (from top to bottom).
L5–S1 – calf muscle tremors, inability to stand on tiptoe, pain in back of thigh.
In rare cases, the radicular arteries are also involved in the destructive process, causing a stroke - a dangerous pathology in which the patient suffers from paresis and paralysis, as well as dysfunction of the pelvic organs.
Pain reflex symptoms
Lumbago or lumbago (in this case not sciatica! ) – acute pain. Any awkward movement, even sneezing and coughing, causes a spasm. The patient spontaneously changes the position of his body by moving it to the side. An attempt to take a vertical position causes new lumbago.
Lumbodynia is a dull, aching pain that occurs on one side. Periods of remission are followed by exacerbation, which gradually turns into severe pain.
Lumboischialgia - painful sensations appear in the leg.
Secondary signs of the disease are not so typical and can easily be confused with symptoms of another problem: impaired sweating (hypohidrosis), pallor of the skin in the affected area due to poor blood circulation, severe dryness and peeling.
Diagnostic
At the initial stage, a complete medical history of the patient is collected. The overall picture should be supplemented by the conclusions of a surgeon, orthopedist, neurologist and rheumatologist. Specialists give the patient a visual examination to assess changes in posture, muscle tone and skin sensitivity.
X-ray is carried out for the primary diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis of the 1st degree, it allows you to examine the condition of the intervertebral discs, pathologies of the spinal cord, as well as to assess the general condition of the spine. However, this type of diagnosis does not provide complete information about the affected tissues.
Computed tomography (CT) is a very sensitive examination using a beam of ionizing rays. The scanner records the degree of disc deformation, inflammatory processes in the spinal cord membrane and nerve endings in a layer-by-layer image.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) informatively shows the general condition of muscle mass, blood vessels and ligaments. Detects tumors and inflammatory processes.
Myelography is one of the ways to visually assess the condition of the spinal cord and nerve roots by injecting a contrast agent using a needle into the cavity between the pia mater and the arachnoidspinal, filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Similar to CT, MTP and X-ray, the procedure is performed in real time.
Neurological examination of sensitivity and reflexes for pathologies is a set of studies that includes a screening method for studying limb symmetry, testing vibration sensitivity and assessing Babinsky, Chaddock and Oppenheiman reflexes.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
The effectiveness of conservative treatment is achieved through a combination of drugs of different groups, massage and manual therapy. However, at stage 3, lumbar osteochondrosis can no longer be cured by conservative methods; surgery is necessary. One of the surgical methods for osteochondrosis is microdiscectomy. This is a neurosurgical operation aimed at removing a hernia without damaging the nerve structures. It is carried out under general anesthesia. The patient can walk from the 3rd day.
Drug therapy (for stages 1-2)
- Analgesics to relieve pain: local (ointments, gels), oral (tablets, suspensions), intramuscular (solutions for injection).
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent the development of the inflammatory process. Reduces temperature, eliminates swelling. Most often, gels and tablets are used, in more severe cases (inflammation of the sciatic nerve) - injections. The Prima course lasts 7 to 14 days.
- Muscle relaxers. Prescribed in the acute period for muscle spasms, as well as during the period of remission to consolidate the effect.
- Chondroprotectors. Blocks destructive processes in intervertebral discs, promotes regeneration, improves metabolism of cartilaginous tissues.
- Vitamin complexes of group B. Improve nerve conduction.
- Diuretics. Reduces swelling.
As emergency help in case of exacerbation, powerful injections are used - paravertebral blockade, which causes temporary loss of sensitivity.
Prevention
- Active lifestyle combined with moderate physical activity;
- Choose comfortable or, if indicated, orthopedic shoes;
- Body weight control;
- Sleep only on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
- Office furniture only with flat back;
- Refusal of heavy loads on the back and spine. When carrying heavy objects, the load should be distributed evenly between both hands.