Osteochondrosis forces the body to keep the muscles of the lumbar region tight, thereby reducing the load on the spine. The patient looks for a more comfortable position and tries not to change it in order to alleviate the discomfort.
Main steps
The disease is progressive, therefore, at different stages, it has corresponding signs, the diagnosis of which helps the doctor to prescribe the appropriate treatment. Symptoms of Lumbar Osteochondrosis:
- at the first stage there is a pronounced discomfort and inconspicuous pain in the lumbar spine;
- the second stage is accompanied by the destruction of the annulus fibrosus, which leads to the convergence of the vertebrae with each other;
- it follows the formation of an intervertebral hernia and a significant deformation of the spine, accompanied by intense pain;
- the fourth stage of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region leads to complete disability of patients: the destruction becomes more intense, precedes sharp pains and difficulties in movement.
At any stage, the picture of the development and further treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the localization of the disease in a particular part of the lower back. The therapy is aimed at relieving pain, eliminating inflammation, normalizing metabolic processes in the cartilaginous tissue of spinal discs.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is a dangerous degenerative disease of the spine, leading to degenerative processes. It is localized in the corresponding area and is characterized by ossification of the cartilage or destruction of the ridge discs. More than 80% of the course is accompanied by pain that radiates to the leg. Pain symptoms are caused by pinching of spinal nerve roots by invading tissue. In medicine, they are called lumboischialgia.
Signs at the initial stage
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis are accompanied by dull pains, which, as a rule, go unnoticed. Unpleasant sensations appear in the back or buttocks after shifting weights and sudden movements. The initial degradation processes of the intervertebral lumbar region begin.
The spinal crest functions without particular changes, but the morphological processes of drowning of the cartilaginous tissue continue to progress, accompanied by the following signs:
- increase in uncinate processes;
- minimal displacement of the disc with rupture of the fibrous capsule.
Clinical symptoms - shooting pain after physical exertion and prolonged (frequent) sitting in an uncomfortable position.
Sometimes the first stage is called preclinical, since lumbar osteochondrosis can practically not manifest itself.
Second step
Symptoms of this stage are chronic pain that radiates to the pelvic organs, buttocks, or legs. Relapses and remissions are characteristic. Basically, deterioration is observed after physical exertion.
Third step
Progressive processes lead to the formation of a hernia with all the ensuing consequences:
- neurological symptoms (dizziness, headache, fainting, tinnitus and loss of consciousness);
- problems with the kidneys and genitourinary system (uncontrolled urine);
- problems with the cardiovascular system (arrhythmia).
At the third stage, treatment, in addition to drug methods and physiotherapy, may include surgical intervention to prevent compression of the spinal cord and the development of undesirable complications.
Fourth step
The last stage is accompanied by calcification of the damaged disc. The pains become much weaker, but the deformation of the spine continues. The body, activating the defense mechanism, triggers the processes of ossification, which leads to a decrease in epidural space, increased compression of the spinal cord and disruption of the work of all systems controlled by it. Simply put, cartilage turns into bone and grows. From this, many dangerous symptoms appear, characteristic of the third stage, but in a more acute form.
Prolonged complex treatment and surgical intervention are required.
How to distinguish where the lesion is located
Pinching of certain nerve endings and segments has its own manifestations and symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- with damage to the roots of the spine L1, L2 - severe pain, numbness in the inguinal area and inner thighs. The progression of osteochondrosis of the lower back, accompanied by a hernia, is characterized by lumboischialgia of both lower limbs;
- when localized in the L5 lumbar region, throbbing pain is characteristic with radiation to the thumb, decreased sensitivity;
- with numbness from the outer thigh to the lower leg and shooting pains, the problem is pinching of the S1 nerve root.
Treatment is prescribed after diagnosis by MRI.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region
The location of the disease has a direct impact on its course and symptoms. Degradation of the lumbar spine can cause myeloid lameness. The lower spinal cord receives a limited blood supply, which causes leg weakness when walking and frequent urination. After a good rest, the symptoms disappear.
Ischemia of cauda equina neurons is the main cause of caudogenic intermittent claudication:
- anemia of the peripheral parts of the legs;
- tingling and tingling sensation when walking;
- over time, the symptoms move up from the legs to the inguinal region of the genitals;
- strength in the legs is restored after rest.
Lifting heavy objects in the presence of lumbar osteochondrosis can cause pinching of Adamkevich's artery and complicate the course of spinal disease. There is paralysis - from mild to severe, waste incontinence, atrophy of muscle tissue, the formation of bedsores.
Reasons contributing to the development of osteochondrosis
In most cases, it is believed that the development of osteochondrosis progresses gradually due to bipedalism, but other provoking factors play an important role in the formation of spinal disease, including: physical inactivity, impaired metabolic processes, extra pounds, lifting loads .
The complex interplay of adverse factors, the formation of prolapse (protrusion of the disc) leads to narrowing of the epidural space and pinching of the neural roots.
Medical methods of treating the disease
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar at different stages is carried out after an accurate diagnosis of the location, stage and individual characteristics of the patient. The main methods are physiotherapy, reflex effects, drug treatment aimed at reducing pain and stopping inflammation, herbal medicine. If treatment turns out to be ineffective or impossible without surgery due to neglect of the disease, surgery is required.