The most common type of spinal pathology is lumbar osteochondrosis.The highest percentage of people suffering from lumbar osteochondrosis occurs in the age group 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 lower back.
How does osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occur?
Because 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 is disturbed, the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral discs loses its strength.The process of tissue degeneration begins, the cartilage dries out 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 bend and press on adjacent nerves, causing severe pain that radiates down the leg.This condition is called lumboischialgia.If left untreated, the patient is at risk of 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 inprotrusion, when the intervertebral disc begins to exceed its limits and acts as a root between the vertebral sections.Furthermore, as the disease progresses, the integrity of the fibrous ring is disturbed, from which a gel-like core flows; this condition is called 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 likely consequence in the absence of therapeutic measures for lumbar osteochondrosis is sciatica.Sciatica is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve.In this condition, the patient feels severe pain in the lower back, which is reflected in pain in the legs, which may be accompanied by muscle numbness.Due to severe pain, the person tries to avoid putting pressure on the painful side, curving the spine, which further worsens blood circulation in the discs, causing yet another 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 acquired instability of the spine, the spine begins to sag from the sacral region, affecting adjacent organs.Women may have problems with the uterus and ovaries;men run the risk of impairing potency.And finally, the most dangerous consequence of lumbar osteochondrosis is the acquisition of cauda equina syndrome.In its advanced form, the disease affects all nerves, from the first to the last vertebra, resulting in total or partial paralysis of the legs and buttocks.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
The reasons why this disease is most frequently acquired 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
- vertebral underdevelopment;
- flat feet;
- spinal injuries, especially in the lumbar and cruciate regions;
- incorrect metabolism;
- spinal degeneration associated with age-related changes.
The risk group for lumbar osteochondrosis includes people who:
- has curvature in the spine;
- suffer from obesity and metabolic disorders;
- remain in a bent position for a long time;
- has a hereditary predisposition;
- are in an environment of greater stress;
- have sleep disorders, get little rest;
- subject the body to hypothermia;
- They are representatives of professions such as loaders, builders, drivers, and also have specialties related to constant presence at the computer.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
In addition to the pain suffered by lumbar osteochondrosis, especially during periods of great stress, there are also other symptoms of this disease, which manifest themselves 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 the same position for a long time, blood accumulates in the injury and, at the slightest attempt to change position, sharp pain occurs;
- constant tension in the back muscles;
- lumbar back pain at the slightest hypothermia;
- numbness in the thigh, gluteal muscles, leg and foot;
- tingling sensation in the legs;
- arterial spasm to the point of loss of pulse;
- sweat gland pathology;
- dryness of the skin in the area of pain and loss of sensitivity.
Description and causes of the disease
Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs for several reasons, one of the main of which is 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 curvature of the legs, dysplasia;
- significant loads on the lower back due to heavy work, especially among porters and athletes;
- incorrect posture;
- injuries;
- heredity;
- poor nutrition.