Osteochondrosis forces the body to keep the muscles in the lumbar region tense, reducing the load on the spine. The patient seeks a more comfortable position and tries not to change it in order to alleviate the discomfort.
Main steps
The disease is progressive, therefore in different stages it has corresponding signs, the diagnosis of which helps the doctor to prescribe the correct treatment. Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- in the first stage there is pronounced discomfort and unobtrusive pain in the lumbar spine;
- the second stage is followed by the destruction of the annulus fibrosus, which leads to the convergence of the vertebrae among themselves;
- after that, there is 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, preceded by 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 certain part of the lower back. The therapy is aimed at alleviating pain, eliminating inflammation, and normalizing the metabolic processes of the cartilage tissue of the spinal discs.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is a dangerous degenerative disease of the spine that leads to degenerative processes. It is localized in the corresponding area and is characterized by ossification of cartilage or destruction of ridge discs. More than 80% of the course is accompanied by pain that spreads to the leg. The symptoms of pain are caused by the pinching of the roots of the spinal nerves by overgrown tissue, in medicine they are called lumboischialgia.
Signs in the initial stage
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis are accompanied by dull pains, which usually go unnoticed. Unpleasant sensations occur in the back or buttocks after moving weights and sudden movements. The processes of initial degradation of the intervertebral lumbar region begin.
The vertebral ridge functions without special changes, but the morphological processes of cartilaginous tissue drowning 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, because lumbar osteochondrosis practically cannot be manifested.
The second stage
Symptoms of this stage are chronic pain that spreads to the pelvic organs, buttocks or legs. Relapses and remissions are also characteristic. Basically, the deterioration is observed after physical exertion.
The third phase
Progressive processes lead to the formation of a hernia with all the consequences:
- neurological symptoms (dizziness, headache, fainting, tinnitus and loss of consciousness);
- problems with the kidneys and genitourinary system (uncontrolled urination);
- problems with the cardiovascular system (arrhythmia).
In the third stage, treatment, in addition to medicinal methods and physiotherapy, may include surgery to avoid compression of the spinal cord and the development of unwanted complications.
The fourth stage
The final stage is followed by calcification of the damaged disc. The pains become significantly weaker, but the deformation of the spine continues. The body, activating the defense mechanism, initiates ossification processes, which leads to a reduction in the epidural space, increased compression of the spinal cord and disruption of all systems controlled by it. Simply put, cartilage turns into bone and grows. From here, numerous dangerous symptoms appear, characteristic of the third phase, but in a more acute form.
Long-term complex treatment and surgical intervention are required.
How to distinguish where the lesion is localized
Compression of certain nerve endings and segments has its manifestations and symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- with damage to the roots of the spine L1, L2 - severe pain, numbness of the inguinal zone and inner thighs. Progression of osteochondrosis of the lower back, accompanied by a hernia, is characterized by lumboischialgia in both lower extremities;
- when it is localized in the L5 lumbar region, it is characterized by shooting pain with radiation to the thumb, reduced sensitivity;
- with numbness on the outside of the upper leg to the lower leg and shooting pains, the problem is pinching of the root of the S1 nerve.
Treatment is prescribed after diagnosing MR.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region
The localization of the disease directly affects its course and symptoms. Degradation of the lumbar spine can cause myelogenous lameness. The lower part of the spinal cord gets a limited blood supply, which causes weakness in the legs when walking and a frequent need to urinate. After proper rest, the symptoms disappear.
Ischemia of the cauda equina neurons is the main cause of caudogenic intermittent claudication:
- anemia of the peripheral parts of the legs;
- burning and stinging when walking;
- over time, the symptoms rise from the legs to the inguinal area 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. Paralysis occurs - from mild to severe, incontinence of waste materials, atrophy of muscle tissue, formation of decubitus.
Reasons that contribute to the development of osteochondrosis
In most cases, it is considered that the development of osteochondrosis progresses gradually as a result of bipedalism, but additional provoking factors play an important role in the development of spinal disease, namely: physical inactivity, disturbed metabolic processes, excess weight, lifting loads. .
The complex interaction of harmful factors, the formation of prolapse (disc protrusion) leads to narrowing of the epidural space and pinching of the neural roots.
Medical methods of fighting disease
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis in different stages is carried out after accurate diagnosis of the location, stage and individual characteristics of the patient. The main methods are physiotherapy, reflex effects, support with drugs to reduce pain and stop inflammation, herbal medicine. If, due to the neglect of the disease, treatment is ineffective or impossible without surgery, surgical intervention is necessary.