The most common type of spinal pathology is lumbar osteochondrosis.The largest percentage of people suffering from lumbar osteochondrosis falls in the age after 30 years.The disease is caused by the degeneration of the cartilaginous tissue of the spine and intervertebral discs.The disease is characterized by severe attacks of pain in the lumbar region.
How does osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occur?
Since most of the body is supported by the pelvic bone, lumbar osteochondrosis is the most common of all types of osteochondrosis.The spine consists of the main cancellous bone tissue and the intervertebral discs that connect the ridge areas.They consist of cartilaginous tissue, inside which there is a semi-liquid core.The purpose of the intervertebral discs is to act as hinges, allowing the spine to be flexible and bend in different directions.Osteochondrosis affects the circulatory system, when it breaks down, the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs loses its strength.The process of tissue degeneration begins, the cartilage dries up and becomes brittle, begins to sag and protrude from the spine, unable to withstand the constant load of body weight.The affected part of the ridge gradually begins to fold and put pressure on the adjacent nerves, causing severe pain that radiates to the leg.This condition is called lumboischialgia.If left untreated, the patient risks significant consequences, including paralysis of the lower body.
Why is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine dangerous?
The initial stage of development of lumbar osteochondrosis appears in extension, when the intervertebral disc beginsgo beyond its limits and acts as a root between the vertebral sections.Further, as the disease progresses, the integrity of the fibrous ring is broken, from which a gel-like core flows, this condition is called an intervertebral hernia.In the process of irritation and compression of the spinal nerve, the nerve becomes inflamed, causing severe pain, that is, lumbar osteochondrosis eventually progresses to radiculitis.Another consequence that is likely in the absence of therapeutic measures for lumbar osteochondrosis is sciatica.Sciatica is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve.In this condition, the patient experiences severe pain in the lower back, which is reflected by pain in the legs, which may be accompanied by muscle numbness.Due to severe pain, a person tries to avoid pressure on the painful side by bending the spine, which further worsens the blood circulation of the discs, provoking a further process of destruction.Another possible consequence of lumbar osteochondrosis is acquired compression myelopathy, in which the spinal canal narrows due to disc growth, impairing blood circulation.Due to the acquired instability of the spine, the column begins to descend from the sacral area, affecting the adjacent organs.Women may have problems with the uterus, ovaries, men risk damaging potency.And finally, the most dangerous consequence of lumbar osteochondrosis is getting cauda equina syndrome.In its advanced form, the disease affects all nerves from the first to the last vertebra, resulting in complete or partial paralysis of the legs and buttocks.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
The reasons why this disease is acquired more often include the following:
- low-intensity physical activity;
- diseases of the thyroid gland, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract;
- high physical activity, weight lifting;
- diseases of the vertebral joints, in particular rheumatoid arthritis
- underdevelopment of the vertebrae;
- flat feet;
- spine injuries, especially those in the lumbar and cruciate regions;
- wrong metabolism;
- degeneration of the spine associated with age-related changes.
The risk group for lumbar osteochondrosis includes people who:
- have a curvature of the spine;
- suffer from obesity and metabolic disorders;
- are in a bent position for a long time;
- have a hereditary predisposition;
- are in an environment with increased stress;
- you have sleep disorders, get some rest;
- subject the body to hypothermia;
- are representatives of professions such as loaders, builders, drivers, and also have specialties related to constant presence on the computer.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
In addition to the pain experienced by those suffering from lumbar osteochondrosis, especially in periods of severe stress, there are other symptoms of this disease, which are manifested as follows:
- dull pain that moves from the source of inflammation to the leg;
- increased pain when lifting something heavy, changing body position, coughing, sneezing;
- when you stay in one position for a long time, blood accumulates in the lesion, and at the slightest attempt to change the position, sharp pain appears;
- constant tension in the back muscles;
- lumbar lumbago in the smallest hypothermia;
- numbness of the thigh, gluteal muscles, leg and foot;
- tingling sensation in legs;
- arterial spasms to pulselessness;
- sweat gland pathology;
- drying of the skin in the area of pain and loss of sensitivity.
Description and causes of the disease
Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs for a number of reasons, one of the main ones being the uneven load on the spine.The disease is characterized by dystrophic lesions in the cartilaginous elements of this part of the spine, accompanied by changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs.Experts include the following provoking factors:
- physical inactivity with prolonged incorrect postures;
- hormonal imbalance;
- congenital problems in the form of leg curvature, dysplasia;
- significant loads in the lumbar region due to heavy lifting, especially among lifters and athletes;
- wrong posture;
- injuries;
- inheritance;
- poor nutrition.