Hondrolife Official site
Share this

What is lumbar osteochondrosis

Pain caused by lumbar osteochondrosis

Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs due to the deformation and destruction of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc.Without cartilage material, the vertebrae lose elasticity and shift, causing pain.According to the World Health Organization, the disease mainly affects people over the age of 30.Women get sick three times more often, which is also linked to age-related changes and declining calcium levels in the body.

Lower back osteochondrosis

Spinal osteochondrosis accounts for 80% of all diseases of the peripheral nervous system, 60-80% of which affect the lumbar region consisting of 5 vertebrae.40% of people experience the first symptoms of the disease by the age of 30-35 years.Spinal osteochondrosis will be diagnosed in 90% of people in older age.Seven out of 10 people experience painful feelings, with exacerbations lasting 6 to 16 months.

Development stage

  • First - the onset of degenerative diseases, which affect nerve endings and disrupt the blood supply.The inflammatory process can cause pain to radiate down the leg.Patients occasionally experience tingling pain in their back and buttocks.Occurs after intense physical exertion.
  • 2. The shell of the intervertebral disc (annulus fibrosus) is destroyed.The distance between vertebrae shortens and nerve endings become compressed, causing severe acute pain.Symptoms are especially noticeable when walking.
  • Third – Due to hypermobility of the vertebrae, muscle fibers and nerve endings become compressed.Cramps, numbness, burning pain, hernia - displacement of a disc into the spinal cord.
  • Fourth - the growth of pathological exostoses on bone structures.The spine literally means "turned to stone."Progressive arthropathy and lack of treatment render the patient immobile.

Development reasons

The development of the disease is slow and occurs under the joint action of multiple conditions. That is to say, the development of the disease depends not on the influence of a single factor, but on the influence of multiple factors:

  • Sedentary lifestyle (lack of physical activity), sedentary jobs, low levels of physical activity.At first glance, they don't look dangerous.However, over time, muscle tone, known as the "muscle corset," weakens.It supports the spine and internal organs.Therefore, lack of physical activity leads to dysfunction of many systems - blood circulation, breathing, digestion.
  • overweight.If the BMI (Quitelay Body Mass Index) is above 25 kg/m2, being overweight puts additional stress on the body: it puts pressure on the spine, overloads the joints, and impairs the blood supply.
  • Endocrine pathological processes.Hormone imbalances, adrenal and thyroid dysfunction can "slow down" the body's metabolism.Frequent hormonal changes can "wash away" calcium from bone tissue, making it fragile.
  • Unbalanced diet.Although popular and affordable fast food can fully meet the energy needs of the human body, it is useless from the perspective of supplementing the vitamins and trace elements needed by the human body.
  • Pathology and genetic predisposition to diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Age-related degenerative changes.Under the influence of time, support systems undergo natural wear and tear.

The incidence of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is many times higher in men who work in occupations with a lot of physical activity.

Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis

Pain is the main sign of disease onset and its localization.Based on the nature, frequency, and duration of occurrence, a preliminary diagnosis can be made.Most commonly, patients with lumbar osteochondrosis experience soreness that radiates to the legs, groin area, and tailbone.When in a horizontal position, the discomfort disappears.

Spinal nerves extend from the spinal trunk 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 nerves "react" in specific areas: this is the manifestation of "radiculopathy syndrome".

A spinal neurogram allows you to identify pain in specific areas of the spine: C1-C8 - 8 cervical vertebrae, T1-T12 - 12 thoracic vertebrae, L1-L5 - 5 lumbar vertebrae, S1-S5 - 5 sacral vertebrae, C0 - 2 coccyx.Symptoms of osteochondrosis depend on segmental innervation:

  • L3-L4 – Weak knee reflexes, partial numbness, and intermittent loss of sensation on the anterior surface of the thigh;
  • L4-L5 - Muscle weakness, patient unable to hold the body in place while standing, pain and sensitivity disturbance extending from the lower back to the buttocks, and along the entire side of the thigh (from top to bottom).
  • L5–S1 – Tremors in calf muscles, inability to stand on toes, pain in hamstrings.

In rare cases, the radicular artery is also involved in the destructive process, causing a spinal stroke - a dangerous pathology in which patients develop paresis and paralysis as well as dysfunction of the pelvic organs.

pain reflex symptoms

  • Low back pain or low back pain (not sciatica in this case!) – Acute pain.Any awkward movements, even sneezing and coughing, can cause cramps.The patient spontaneously changes body position, moving it to one side.Trying to assume a vertical position can trigger new low back pain.
  • Low back pain is a dull pain that occurs on one side.Periods of remission are followed by exacerbations that progress to severe pain.
  • Lumbar pain - pain in the legs.

The side effects of this disease are not so typical and can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other problems: a sweating disorder (oligohidrosis), pale skin in the affected area due to poor circulation, severe dryness and flaking.

diagnosis

In the initial phase, a complete medical history of the patient is collected.The overall picture should be supplemented by the opinions of surgeons, orthopedists, neurologists, and rheumatologists.Specialists perform visual examinations of patients to assess changes in posture, muscle tone, and skin sensitivity.

X-ray examination initially diagnosed grade 1 lumbar osteochondrosis; it is used to check the condition of the intervertebral disc, the pathological condition 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 tissue.

Computed tomography (CT) is a highly sensitive test that uses a beam of ionizing rays.CT scans use layer-by-layer images to record the degree of deformation of the intervertebral disc, the inflammatory process of the spinal cord membrane and nerve endings.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide a wealth of information, showing the general condition of muscle mass, blood vessels, and ligaments.Detection of neoplastic and inflammatory processes.

Myelography is one of the methods to visually assess the condition of the spinal cord and nerve roots by using a needle to inject a contrast agent into the cerebrospinal fluid-filled cavity between the pia mater and the arachnoid mater of the spinal cord.Similar to CT, MTP, and X-rays, the process occurs in real time.

Neurologic examination of pathological sensitivities and reflexes is a complex study that includes screening methods to study limb symmetry, testing vibration sensitivity, and evaluation of the Babinski, Chaddock, and Oppen-Hyman reflexes.

Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis

The effect of conservative treatment is achieved through a combination of various groups of drugs, massage, and manual therapy.However, by the third stage, lumbar osteochondrosis can no longer be cured with conservative methods; surgical intervention is required.One of the surgical options for osteochondrosis is microdiscectomy.This is a neurosurgery procedure that removes the hernia without damaging the neural structures.It is performed under general anesthesia.The patient was able to walk on the third day.

Medication (Phase 1-2)

  • Analgesics used to relieve pain: topical (ointment, gel), oral (tablets, suspension), intramuscular (injection).
  • NSAIDs prevent the development of inflammatory processes.Lower the temperature and eliminate swelling.Most often gels and tablets are used, in more severe cases (sciatic nerve inflammation) - injections.Beginner Course - 7-14 days.
  • Muscle relaxants.Use medication in the acute phase of muscle spasm and medication in the remission phase to consolidate the curative effect.
  • Chondroprotectant.Prevents the destruction process of intervertebral discs, promotes regeneration, and improves the metabolism of cartilage tissue.
  • Vascular Drugs.Helps normalize blood supply to the musculoskeletal system.
  • Group B vitamin complex.Improve nerve conduction.
  • Diuretics.Reduce swelling.

As emergency aid in case of exacerbation, a powerful injection - paravertebral block is used, which causes a temporary loss of sensitivity.

Manual therapy is also recommended twice a year to relieve muscle tension and spasms, restore blood circulation, improve lymphatic circulation, and increase mobility of the musculoskeletal system.

prevention

  • An active lifestyle combined with moderate physical activity;
  • Choose comfortable shoes or orthopedic shoes (if needed);
  • good nutrition;
  • weight control;
  • sleep only on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
  • Office furniture only has flat backs;
  • Deny weight on the back and spine.When carrying heavy objects, the load should be evenly distributed between the hands.