The most common type of spinal pathology is lumbar osteochondrosis.The largest percentage of people suffering from lumbar osteochondrosis is after 30 years of age.The disease is caused by 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 spongy bone tissue and intervertebral discs connecting the crest 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 disrupted, 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 begins to gradually bend and put pressure on adjacent nerves, causing severe pain that radiates down the leg.This condition is called lumboischialgia.If left untreated, the patient risks significant consequences, including lower body paralysis.
Why is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine dangerous?
The initial stage of development of lumbar osteochondrosis appears in protrusion,whenthe intervertebral disc begins to exceed its limits and acts as a root between the vertebral sections.In addition, as the disease progresses, the integrity of the annulus fibrosus is disrupted, from which a gel-like core flows, this condition is called intervertebral hernia.In the process of irritation and pinching of the spinal nerve, the nerve becomes inflamed, causing severe pain, that is, lumbar osteochondrosis ultimately progresses to radiculitis.Another likely consequence in the absence of therapeutic measures against lumbar osteochondrosis is sciatica.Sciatica is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve.In this condition, the patient feels severe pain in the lumbar region, which results in pain in the leg, which may be accompanied by muscle numbness.Due to severe pain, a person tries to avoid putting pressure on the painful side, bending the spine, which further worsens the blood circulation of the discs, causing a new process of destruction.Another possible consequence of lumbar osteochondrosis is acquired compression myelopathy, in which the spinal canal narrows due to disc growth, thereby impairing blood circulation.Due to acquired spinal instability, the spine begins to sag from the sacral area, affecting adjacent organs.Women may have problems with the uterus, ovaries, men risk impaired 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 the nerves from the first to the last vertebra, causing total or partial paralysis of the legs and buttocks.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
The reasons why this disease is contracted most often are:
- low-intensity physical activity;
- diseases of the thyroid gland, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract;
- high physical activity, weightlifting;
- diseases of the vertebral joints, especially rheumatoid arthritis
- vertebral underdevelopment;
- flat feet;
- injuries to the spine, especially those of the lumbar and cruciate regions;
- incorrect metabolism;
- spinal degeneration 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 hunched position for a long time;
- have a hereditary predisposition;
- you are in an environment of increased stress;
- have sleep problems, get little rest;
- subject the body to hypothermia;
- are representatives of professions such as loaders, builders, drivers and also have specialties related to constant presence in front of the computer.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
In addition to the pain experienced by people suffering from lumbar osteochondrosis, especially during periods of severe stress, there are also other symptoms of this disease, which are manifested by the following:
- 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 lesion, and at the slightest attempt to change position, acute pain appears;
- constant tension in the back muscles;
- lower back pain at the slightest hypothermia;
- numbness in the thigh, gluteal muscles, lower leg, and foot;
- tingling sensation in the legs;
- arterial spasms to absence of pulse;
- sweat gland pathology;
- drying of the skin in the painful area and loss of sensitivity.
Description and causes of the disease
Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs for a number of reasons, one of the main ones being uneven load on the spine.The disease is characterized by dystrophic lesions of 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 lumbar region from heavy lifting, especially among loaders and athletes;
- poor posture;
- injuries;
- heredity;
- poor diet.