The lumbar spine is quite mobile and at the same time experiences a lot of stress, regardless of a person's lifestyle and the work they do. 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 the age of 25-30, but recently the disease has become significantly younger. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region progresses continuously without treatment and can eventually even lead to disability.
Cause
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease, as a result of which the intervertebral discs collapse, the distance between the vertebrae and the discs changes, the vertebrae move relative to each other, and then irritation or compression of the spinal cord and nerves occurs. endings and blood vessels running along the spine.
The causes leading to the development of osteochondrosis are usually the result of excessive load on the spine: heavy lifting, excess weight, back injuries, sedentary lifestyle. The situation is significantly worsened by diseases leading to metabolic disorders, lack of sleep, stress and improper nutrition.
Symptoms
A common symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis is lower back pain. They can occur during physical activity, at rest, when changing body position, etc. The sensation of pain can radiate, that is, it can spread further than the pinched nerve, for example, they radiate to the leg.
As the deformation of the vertebrae worsens, even very simple movements become painful: bending, turning, etc. , which significantly impairs the quality of life. Symptoms of urogenital disorders may also appear, including involuntary urination.
Complications
In time and without proper treatment, the progressive deformation of the intervertebral discs can lead to serious complications: the spine loses its flexibility, and the pain makes it impossible to perform simple actions such as bending and turning. In the long-term course of the disease, due to pinching of the nerves by bone growths, complications extending to the urogenital area and inflammation of the sciatic nerve are possible. Pain may occur even with coughing or minor physical activity.
Treatment
Medicines for the treatment of osteochondrosis usually bring only temporary relief and relieve pain. Some of them warm the muscles, locally increasing the superficial blood circulation, but this is obviously not enough for the complete restoration of the cartilage tissue. Especially when the nerves and blood vessels are pinched. Therefore, the symptoms of the disease usually recur quickly.
Due to the development of the disease, not only the spine itself suffers, but also the muscles, blood vessels, and even the internal organs. The work of the osteopathic doctor is not aimed at treating the external symptoms of the disease, but at uncovering and eliminating the root cause of its occurrence.
Osteopathic treatment has no contraindications for the treatment of osteochondrosis and is comfortable and safe for patients of any age. It helps to avoid surgical treatment in 90% of cases, and is equally effective at any stage of the disease. Especially for problems of the internal organs, which are the result of pinching of the spinal cord and its roots. In addition, osteopathic treatment is absolutely recommended for patients with herniated discs and bulging discs. Completely safe and highly effective. According to our observations, this is probably the most effective method of treatment.
Lumbar pain, numbness spreading to the legs, the feeling that the legs literally fall off, inability to bend, turn and walk normally - these are common symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis is a "disease of civilization" that is directly related to the human upright posture. The disease causes movement stiffness and back pain. These symptoms prevent an active lifestyle and can cause more serious diseases, including internal organs. With osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, everythingsudden movement or heavy lifting can cause severe pain in the lower back.
No two patients are alike. 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, II. stage hypertension, chronic cholecystitis, left kidney cyst, endometrial hyperplasia process. And finally, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, polyosteoarthrosis, osteoporosis. How can we help such a patient? With so many serious neglected diseases? And what does it have to do with lumbar osteochondrosis?
The essence of the treatment, as seen by the doctors of our centers, is to restore the speed and volume of blood flow in the systemic circulation by performing sequential exercises on the first, second and third floor of the body, i. e. the legs, abdomen and back.
In the absence of normal blood circulation, oxygen starvation occurs in the lumbar spine and spinal column, which affects the normal functioning of the entire body, focusing on the internal organs of the pelvis. Therefore, a lot of diseases from the internal organs to the cardiovascular system.
In general, when examining patients with lumbar osteochondrosis, we identify excessive tension of the paravertebral muscles of the chest and spine, lack of flexibility of the thigh muscles and, in general, of the lower limbs - that is, muscle stiffness. chimney.
Most patients cannot reach the tips of the toes with their hands, and often even reach the knees. The muscles are so weakened that they cannot cope well with their own body weight, let alone perform simple household chores.
The lumbar spine, as the most loaded part, is exposed to many static and dynamic loads every day, so it can rightly be 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 "plague" for patients after the age of 35.
Lumbar osteochondrosisa pathology characterized by the development of dystrophic abnormalities in the intervertebral discs of the lumbosacral spine. The discs ensure the flexibility and mobility of the spine, however, due to many factors, their structure is overturned, they lose their tightness, flexibility, and turgor, which can lead to the appearance of protrusion, and then - vertebral hernia, as well as pinching of nerve endings and roots.
Lumbar osteochondrosis can be treated at the clinic. Seeking professional medical help in time offers an opportunity to stop the destructive processes and restore the health of the spine.
Cause
Lumbar osteochondrosis can occur due to several factors:
- spinal injuries; ;
- static and dynamic overloads of the spine;
- incorrect distribution of the load on the spine;
- mobility of vertebrae;
- 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, with the development of the disease, pain symptoms appear, which are localized in the lumbar and back areas. Pain radiates to the sacrum, legs and (sometimes) pelvic organs. The pain intensifies in twists and turns and often becomes unbearable. In addition, the following symptoms can be observed:
- limited movement;
- curvature, "skew", scoliosis in the lumbar spine;
- muscle spasms;
- lameness in one or both legs;
- feeling of weakness, sensitivity of the skin of the legs, reduced reflexes - due to compression of the nerve endings.
Diagnostics
Before prescribing treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, specialists conduct comprehensive diagnostic tests that allow them to correctly diagnose, determine the degree of development of the pathology and its consequences for both the spine and the patient's body. They include:
Osteochondrosis– one of the most common diseases of the 21st century.
Sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, improper diet, constant stress - all these factors eventually lead to wear and tear of the intervertebral cartilages.
Cartilage loses its elasticity, becomes fragile, the disease progresses, significantly impairing the quality of life.
Patients with osteochondrosis suffer from problems of varying complexity: from pain to disruption of the functioning of internal organs.
The causes of the development of osteochondrosis are also the following:
- Age-related changes
- Spinal injuries
- Postural disorders
- Rachiocampsis
- Crow's feet
- Hereditary tendency
- Excessive exercise
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis are particularly painful back or lower back pain, aggravated by sudden movements and changes in body position, radiating to the buttocks and legs, the anterior abdominal wall, the lumbar region, accompanied by burning, tingling, numbness, and the appearance of "goosebumps".
In addition, with lumbar osteochondrosis, skin sensitivity decreases in the thighs, buttocks and legs, less often in the feet. Increased chills in the legs, weakness in the legs, and curvature of the lumbar spine.
You should know that in the majority of cases, the cause of complaints related to lower back pain is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Patients suffering from osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine require timely and appropriate treatment. Otherwise, the destruction of cartilage, ligaments and vertebrae progresses, which can lead to internal organ dysfunction and disability.
Modern restorative medicine can greatly improve the condition of patients with lumbar osteochondrosis. Significant improvement can be achieved using a range of methods, including physical therapy, acupuncture, medication, therapeutic massage and more, as prescribed by the individual.
Lumbar osteochondrosis- a very common form of osteochondrosis. It occurs in both men and women. Patients themselves often misdiagnose it as a "pinched lumbar nerve", since the pain during lumbar osteochondrosis is concentrated in the sacral region.
Pain is usually the main symptom of the disease. It appears in different intensities. Some people suffer from aching pains that occur after sitting or sleeping for a long time, others suffer from "shooting" and sharp pains. In this case, the pain occurs when the patient assumes an uncomfortable position. Due to the severe pain, the person cannot stand upright.
Pain in the sacral areathey occur due to pinched nerve endings, muscle swelling and pinched nerve roots. The pain can also start due to irritation of the lumbar ligaments.
Lower back painit gets stronger with almost every body movement, especially when bending forward. Even a simple sneeze or cough increases the pain.
However, lumbar osteochondrosis has other symptoms. First of all, these are disorders of the sensitivity of the skin, leg muscles and the lower half of the body. Some patients also experience a weakening of the 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, primarily in children and the elderly.
Lumbar osteochondrosis also has the following clinical symptoms:
A symptom of lumbar osteochondrosisand at the same time its most unpleasant complication is instability of the vertebra. The disc stops attaching the vertebra. As a result, under load, the lumbar spine practically "slips" off the sacrum, which leads to severe, unbearable pain. In addition, with this pathology, the functioning of internal organs is disrupted. First of all, this concerns the urinary system. Lumbar osteochondrosis affects male potency and causes gynecological problemsin a woman.
Unfortunately, modern medicine has not yet invented a cure that can quickly and easily solve this problem. Treatment of osteochondrosis is very complex and long-term. It must be comprehensive, only in this case good results can be achieved.
Measures for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis are as follows:
In particularly severe cases, surgical intervention can also be performed.
INtreatment of osteochondrosisThe sanatorium resort treatment is very effective.
In case of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, the patient is prescribed bed rest. In addition, the patient should 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 you notice any of the above symptoms, you should see a neurologist
Appointments can be made by calling 8 (928) 337-60-60.
Osteochondrosis of the lower back
Among all diseases of the peripheral nervous system, osteochondrosis of the spinal column accounts for 80%, 60-80% of which affect the lumbar region consisting of 5 vertebrae. In 40% of people, the first signs of the disease appear at the age of 30-35. In old age, osteochondrosis of the spine is diagnosed in 90% of people. Painful sensations are experienced by 7 out of 10 people, the exacerbation can last 6-16 months.
Stages of development
1. – the development of degenerative disorders that affect nerve endings and disrupt blood supply. The inflammatory process causes pain that radiates into the legs. The patient sometimes experiences tingling in the back and buttocks. Appears after strong physical effort.
2. – the outer shell of the intervertebral disc (fibrous ring) is destroyed. The distance between the vertebrae decreases, the nerve endings are compressed, which causes severe, acute pain. The symptoms appear especially when walking.
3. – due to excessive mobility of the vertebrae, muscle fibers and nerve endings are compressed. Spasms, numbness, burning pain, hernia appear - displacement of the intervertebral disc into the spinal cord.
4. - growth of pathological exostoses on the bone structure. The spine literally "turns to stone". Progressive arthrosis and lack of treatment immobilize the patient.
Reasons for development
The disease develops slowly, under the confluence of many circumstances, that is, the development of the disease does not depend on the influence of one but several factors:
Sedentary lifestyle (physical inactivity), sedentary work, low level of physical activity. At first glance, they are not dangerous. However, in case of long-term exposure, the muscle tone, the so-called "muscle ligament", weakens. It supports the spine and internal organs. Thus, physical inactivity causes disturbances in the functioning of many systems - blood circulation, breathing, digestion.
Overweight. With a BMI (Quetelet body mass index) of over 25 kg/m2, excess weight causes additional stress in the body: it puts pressure on the spine, overloads the joints, and impairs the blood supply.
Endocrine pathological processes. Hormonal imbalances, adrenal and thyroid disorders "slow down" the body's metabolism. Frequent hormonal changes "wash out" calcium from bone tissue, making it weak and fragile.
An unbalanced diet. Popular and affordable fast food fully satisfies the body's energy needs, while it is completely useless in terms of saturating the body with the necessary vitamins and microelements.
Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs many times more often in men whose profession involves significant physical activity.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Pain is the main marker of the onset and localization of the disease. Based on the nature, frequency and duration of the occurrence, a preliminary diagnosis can be made. Most often, patients with lumbar osteochondrosis experience aching pain that radiates to the legs, groin area, and coccyx. In a horizontal position, the discomfort disappears.
Spinal nerves run from the trunk of the spine to various parts of the body. Each nerve is responsible for a certain area. This is called "segmental innervation". This is the reason why the affected nerve "reacts" in a specific area: this is how the "radicular syndrome" manifests itself.
The spinal nerve map allows you to identify pain in a specific area of the spine: C1-C8 - 8 cervical, T1-T12 - 12 thoracic, L1-L5 - 5 lumbar, S1-S5 - 5 sacral, C0 - 2 coccygeal. Signs of osteochondrosis depending on segmental innervation:
L3-L4 – weak knee reflex, partial numbness, episodic loss of feeling is observed on the front surface of the thigh;
L4-L5 – muscle weakness, the patient cannot fix his body while standing on the heel, pain and sensory disturbances spread to the area from the lower back to the buttocks, as well as the entire lateral surface of the thigh (from top to bottom).
L5–S1 – trembling in the calf muscle, inability to stand on toes, pain in the back of the thigh.
In rare cases, the radicular arteries are also involved in the destructive process, provoking a spinal cord stroke - a dangerous pathology in which the patient experiences paresis and paralysis, as well as dysfunction of the pelvic organs.
Pain reflex symptoms
Lumbago or lumbago (not sciatica in this case! ) – acute pain. Any awkward movement, even sneezing and coughing, triggers spasms. The patient spontaneously changes his body position, moving to the side. Attempting to assume a vertical position causes a new lumbago.
Lumbodynia is a dull and aching pain that occurs on one side. Periods of remission are followed by exacerbations, which gradually turn into severe pain.
Lumboischialgia - painful sensations appear in the legs.
The side symptoms of the disease are not so typical and can easily be confused with the symptoms of another problem: sweating disorder (hypohidrosis), paleness of the skin of the affected area due to poor blood circulation, severe dryness and peeling.
Diagnostics
In the initial stage, the patient's complete medical history is collected. The overall picture must be supplemented with the conclusions of a surgeon, orthopedist, neurologist and rheumatologist. Specialists perform a visual examination of the patient to assess changes in posture, muscle tone and skin sensitivity.
An X-ray examination is performed for the primary diagnosis of grade I lumbar osteochondrosis, it is used to examine the condition of the intervertebral discs, pathologies of the spinal cord, and to evaluate the general condition of the spine. However, this type of diagnosis does not provide complete information about the affected tissues.
Computed tomography (CT) is an extremely sensitive examination using ionizing rays. The CT scan records layer by layer the degree of disc deformation, inflammatory processes of the spinal cord membrane and nerve endings.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows the general condition of muscle mass, blood vessels and ligaments in an informative way. Detects tumors and inflammatory processes.
Myelography is a method of visual assessment of the condition of the spinal cord and nerve roots by injecting contrast material into the cavity filled with cerebrospinal fluid between the pia mater and the spinal cord arachnoid. Like CT, MTP and X-ray, the procedure is done in real time.
The neurological examination of the sensitivity and reflexes of pathologies is a complex of tests that includes a screening method for studying the symmetry of the limbs, testing vibration sensitivity, and assessing the Babinsky, Chaddock, and Oppenheimer reflexes.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
The effectiveness of conservative treatment is achieved by a combination of drugs from different groups, massage and manual therapy. However, in the 3rd stage, lumbar osteochondrosis can no longer be cured by conservative methods, surgical intervention is required. One of the methods of surgery for osteochondrosis is microdiscectomy. This is a neurosurgical operation to remove the hernia without damaging the nerve structures. It is performed under general anesthesia. The patient can walk on the 3rd day.
Drug therapy (stages 1-2)
- Pain relievers: local (ointments, gels), oral (tablets, suspensions), intramuscular (injection solutions).
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent the development of the inflammatory process. Reduces temperature, removes swelling. Gels and tablets are most often used, in more severe cases (inflammation of the sciatic nerve) - injections. The prima course is 7-14 days.
- Muscle relaxants. In the acute period of muscle spasms, as well as in the period of remission, in order to consolidate the effect.
- Chondroprotectors. Blocks destructive processes in intervertebral discs, promotes regeneration, improves metabolism in cartilage tissues.
- B group vitamin complexes. They improve nerve conduction.
- Diuretics. Reduces swelling.
As an emergency aid during an exacerbation, strong injections are used - paravertebral blockade, which causes a temporary loss of sensitivity.
Prevention
- Active lifestyle combined with moderate physical activity;
- Choosing comfortable or, where appropriate, orthopedic shoes;
- Body weight control;
- Sleep only on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
- Office furniture with a flat back only;
- Avoiding heavy loads on the back and spine. When carrying heavy objects, the load must be evenly distributed in both hands.