Lumbar osteochondrosis is a spinal nerve disease that affects people of all ages, in which degenerative-dystrophic changes occur in the lumbar spine. They affect the intervertebral discs, articular cartilage, bone tissue.
The cause of this disease is a serious stress experienced by the lower back on a daily basis - while walking, sitting, lifting weights. It is very important to start osteochondrosis treatment as early as possible to avoid possible complications. Lumbar osteochondrosis is a relatively complex disease that requires complex therapy, under the supervision of an experienced specialist.
Main characteristics
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disorder in the articular cartilage of the spine, located in the lumbar spine. In other words, the disease means the destruction of the cartilage discs located between the vertebral bodies. The mobility of the vertebrae decreases, the distance between them decreases, compression (compression) of the nerve endings occurs.
The lumbosacral spine suffers more often than others due to the fact that on it the maximum load falls. In 80% of patients who complain of back pain, doctors accurately diagnose osteochondrosis. The disease begins with the breakdown of glycoproteins in connective tissue, it is these compounds that give it elasticity. The intervertebral disc is the first to undergo this process.
Each disc consists of an outer fibrous nucleus and annulus. After the core dries, the disc loses its elastic properties, and the fibrous ring cracks and delaminates. Through a slit in the ring, the nucleus can fall off (a hernia is formed).
As a result of this process, the load on the vertebrae increases significantly, the body responds to this with a sharp increase in the formation of bone tissue in places of increased load.
Which spine is affected
The lumbar region consists of five vertebrae: L1-L5, the fifth vertebra is attached to the sacrum. Discs among them are most often affected in osteochondrosis.
There are several types of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, they differ in the location of the vertebrae.
- Upper lumbar level disease (1, 2 and 3 vertebrae).
- Diseases of the lower lumbar stage (3, 4 and 5 vertebrae).
- Osteochondrosis of the sacrum (localized in the sacral bone). This type of disease is very rare.
- Combination of sacral and vertebral bones.
The stage of development of lumbosacral osteochondrosis
There are four stages (sometimes three distinguished) of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region. Here they are:
- There is a change in the nucleus and its position.
- The destruction of the outer fibrous ring begins.
- After the ring breaks, the nucleus falls off.
- The destructive process affects the vertebrae, joints, ligaments.
In the first stage of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, a person feels certain discomfort and pain in the lower back. It can be acute or painful. There are spasms of muscles and blood vessels, problems in organ function.
Spasm of the ducts in the lower legs can cause atherosclerosis, bladder dysfunction.
In the second stage, due to vertebral instability, the back muscles are constantly tense. Patients complain of fatigue, discomfort, and uncertainty of the lower back.
In the third stage, the disc nucleus falls off the fibrous ring and an intervertebral hernia forms. Fragments of the fallen disc pinch nerve roots that envelop internal organs, muscles and areas of the skin. As a result of this, changes in the sensitivity of certain areas develop, a burning sensation, numbness and loss of sensitivity may develop. Nerve compression can cause loss of motor function or muscle atrophy.
According to the area where there is a violation of innervation, the doctor can tell exactly where the spine is damaged. If a fragment of a disc falls into the spinal canal, the spinal cord will be pinched. This often interferes with the function of the pelvic organs and the motor function of the lower extremities.
In the fourth stage, there is complete replacement of the disc tissue with dense connective tissue. There is some restoration of spinal column support function, the pain is slightly reduced, but its mobility and elasticity are lost.
The above stages are conditional, as the development of the disease is very individual.
Symptoms: the body will tell
Symptoms can be divided into primary, associated with changes in the spine, and additional, associated with impaired conservation as a result of pinched nerves.
Primary:
- pain and numbness in the lower back. At first, it can be temporary and real during exercise and physical movement. As they develop, they become permanent, can be sharp or painful, visible even during coughing or sneezing;
- fatigue and depression;
- decreased lower extremity sensitivity;
- impaired movement of the lower back;
- curvature of the spine, lordosis.
Extras:
- sharp back pain;
- reflex impairment;
- shots in lower leg, lameness;
- muscle weakness;
- decrease in sweating;
- feeling cold in the feet.
Depending on the localization of osteochondrosis, pain is observed in different parts of the body:
- with damage to 1-2 vertebrae - in the inguinal region;
- with damage to 3-4 vertebrae - in the lower part of the leg and in the thigh area;
- with the defeat of the 5th vertebra - in the sacrum, lower back.
How is lumbosacral osteochondrosis diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a detailed survey of the patient. The doctor should listen carefully to the patient's complaints, know the localization and intensity of pain, pay special attention to side symptoms (loss of skin sensitivity, impaired motor function).
Physicians must track the development of symptoms over time, analyzing the nature and effectiveness of previous treatment (or self -treatment). Also, the doctor should pay attention to the history, ask the patient about his or her lifestyle, work conditions, and previous illness.
Particular attention should be paid to posture, the possibility of curvature of the spinal column. Noteworthy is how the patient moves, the level of muscle development.
The main diagnostic tool for lumbosacral osteochondrosis is radiography. MRI and computed tomography were successfully used.
cause
The lumbosacral area has some unique features. The spinal cord terminates at the level of the 1-12th thoracic lumbar vertebra. In the lumbosacral region there are spinal nerve fibers, which are collected in one bundle. The lumbar and sacral roots form the sciatic nerve.
The main feature of this part of the spine is the large load (dynamic and static), which he constantly experiences. This is why the lumbar disc wears out earlier.
Possible consequences
This disease is dangerous because of the consequences:
- damage to the knee and pelvic joints;
- dysfunction of internal organs (problems with potency in men and reproductive organs in women);
- lumbago, sciatica and lumboischialgia;
- spinal cord compression, leading to impaired reflexes;
- inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
Scientists are still unable to answer what exactly causes this disease. Or conversely, which factor has the greatest influence on its development. Some researchers believe that lumbosacral osteochondrosis is the price a person pays for walking upright. Indeed, the disease has not been observed in animals.
The factors that cause this disease can be divided into external and internal. Here are the main reasons why:
- serious spinal cord injuries;
- descent;
- Flat feet;
- prolonged standing;
- postural disorders;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- overweight;
- unbalanced diet.
Who is at risk
No one is immune from this disease. Hereditary factors determine a greater or lesser predisposition to it. However, external factors and a person’s lifestyle have a huge influence on the likelihood of getting the disease.
Another cause of this disease is excessive exercise and injury.
Proper nutrition is important for the prevention of osteochondrosis: food should contain all the necessary components, rich in vitamins and micronutrients.
Treatment
Treatment can be surgical or conservative. If the disease is at the stage of appearance of an intervertebral hernia, then surgical intervention is very necessary. Conservative treatment includes the following methods:
- drug therapy;
- physiotherapy and spinal traction;
- massage and manual therapy;
- physiotherapy training.
Drug therapy includes anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, muscle spasm relievers, and injection restrictions. Chondroprotectors are also used, they reduce pain, promote the regrowth of damaged cartilage formation. In some cases, hormone medications are used.
prevention
Basic principles for the prevention of lumbosacral osteochondrosis:
- prevention of excessive load on the lower back;
- strengthen the back muscles;
- maintain proper posture;
- physical activity;
- proper nutrition;
- rules of rest regime;
- timely treatment for other diseases of the back.
Home Treatment
Exercise
There are relatively simple exercises that one can do independently at home. They are used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Their main job is to strengthen the back muscles to unload part of the spine.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic exercise is one of the main ways to treat osteochondrosis. Exercise helps strengthen the muscles, which take some of the load from the spine. Improves blood circulation in tissues, including intervertebral discs. Therapeutic exercises help relieve muscle tension, reduce pain.
massage
Massage is an excellent treatment for lumbar osteochondrosis. It increases blood supply to tissues, reduces pain, relieves clamps, strengthens muscular corsets.
From the epilogue
Summarizing the above, it can be observed that this disease is a real "disease of the century" that threatens any modern person.
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis gives a person excruciating pain, can turn into a disability. It is very difficult to treat this disease, especially in its advanced form.
The positive thing is that it is in the power of each of us to prevent the development of osteochondrosis. All you have to do is take care of your spine: don’t put too much pressure on it, keep an eye on your own weight, practice a healthy lifestyle, eat normally, avoid injury.
If you have begun to notice the first symptoms of osteochondrosis, seek medical advice. In the early stages, the disease is relatively easy to treat. Take care of your spine so that even in old age, movement brings you joy, not discomfort.