Osteochondrosis forces the body to keep the muscles in the lumbar region tense, reducing the load on the spine. The patient looks for a more comfortable position and tries not to change it to relieve discomfort.
Basic steps
The disease is progressive, so it has relevant symptoms at different stages, the diagnosis of which helps the doctor to prescribe the right treatment. Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- in the first stage, there is a clear discomfort in the lower back and pain that does not attract attention;
- the second stage is accompanied by the destruction of the annulus fibrosus, which causes the vertebrae to approach each other;
- this is followed by the formation of an intervertebral hernia and significant deformation of the spine, accompanied by severe pain;
- the fourth stage of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region leads to complete disability of patients: the destruction is more intense, preceded by sharp pains and difficulty in movement.
At any stage, the development and subsequent treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the localization of the disease in a certain part of the lower back. The therapy is aimed at relieving 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, leading to degenerative processes. It is localized in the appropriate area and is characterized by ossification of the cartilage or destruction of the discs of the spine. More than 80% of the course is accompanied by pain radiating to the leg. Pain symptoms are caused by the compression of the roots of the spinal nerves by the increased tissue, in medicine they are called lumboischialgia.
Symptoms in the initial stage
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis are usually accompanied by dull pains that are imperceptible. Unpleasant sensations in the back or hips after moving weights and sudden movements. The processes of initial degradation of the intervertebral lumbar region begin.
The spinal column works without any special changes, but the morphological processes of cartilage tissue suffocation continue to progress, accompanied by the following symptoms:
- increase in uncinate processes;
- minimal disc displacement with fibrous capsular tear.
Clinical symptoms - burning pain after physical exertion and sitting in an uncomfortable position for a long time (often).
Sometimes the first stage is called preclinical, because lumbar osteochondrosis practically cannot manifest itself.
The second stage
Symptoms of this stage are chronic pain that spreads to the pelvic organs, hips or legs. Both relapses and remissions are characteristic. Basically, deterioration is observed after physical exertion.
The third stage
Progressive processes lead to the formation of a hernia with all subsequent consequences:
- neurological symptoms (dizziness, headache, blackout, tinnitus and loss of consciousness);
- problems with the kidneys and genitourinary system (urinary incontinence);
- problems with the cardiovascular system (arrhythmia).
In the third stage, treatment may include medication and physiotherapy, as well as surgery to prevent spinal cord compression and the development of unwanted complications.
The fourth stage
The final stage is accompanied by calcification of the damaged disc. The pain is greatly reduced, but the deformation of the spine continues. Activating the defense mechanism, the body begins ossification processes that lead to a decrease in the epidural space, an increase in 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 characteristic of the third stage, but in a more acute form, appear.
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 own manifestations and symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- with damage to the lumbar L1, L2 roots - severe pain, numbness of the inguinal zone and inner thighs. Progression of lumbar osteochondrosis accompanied by herniation is characterized by lumboischialgia in both lower extremities;
- When localized in the L5 lumbar region, shooting pain is characterized by radiation of the thumb, decreased sensitivity;
- the problem with outer thigh numbness and shooting pain is S1 nerve root compression.
Treatment is prescribed after diagnosis by MRI.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral region
The localization of the disease directly affects its course and symptoms. Degeneration of the spine can lead to myelogenous lameness. The lower spinal cord receives limited blood supply, which causes weakness in the legs while walking and frequent urination. Symptoms disappear after proper rest.
Ischemia of the 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 rise 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 compression of the Adamkevich artery and complicate the course of spinal disease. There is paralysis - from mild to severe, illegal waste products, atrophy of muscle tissue, formation of bedsores.
Causes contributing to the development of osteochondrosis
In most cases, it is believed 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, including: physical inactivity, disturbed metabolic processes, excess kilograms, lifting loads. .
The complex interaction of negative factors, the occurrence of prolapse (protrusion of the disc) leads to the narrowing of the epidural space and compression of the nerve roots.
Medical methods of combating the 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, drug support aimed at reducing pain and stopping inflammation, herbal medicines. If treatment without surgical intervention is ineffective or impossible due to neglect of the disease, surgical intervention is necessary.