The most common type of spinal pathology is lumbar osteochondrosis.The largest percentage of people suffering from lumbar osteochondrosis fall into the age group after 30 years.The disease is caused by the degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the spine and the intervertebral discs.The disease is characterized by severe pain attacks in the lumbar region.
How does lumbar osteochondrosis occur?
Because most of the body is supported by the pelvis, lumbar osteochondrosis is the most common of all types of osteochondrosis.The spine consists of the main spongy bone tissue and the intervertebral discs that connect the areas of the spine.They consist of cartilage tissue, with a semi-fluid core inside.The purpose of the intervertebral discs is to play the role of a hinge that allows the spine to be flexible and bend in different directions.Osteochondrosis affects the circulatory system, when it breaks down, the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs loses its strength.The process of tissue degeneration begins, the cartilage dries up and becomes brittle, it 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 press on the adjacent nerves, which causes severe pain that spreads to the leg.This condition is called lumboischialgia.If left untreated, the patient may experience significant consequences, including paralysis of the lower body.
Why is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine dangerous?
The initial stage of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis is in the protrusionIt appears when the intervertebral disc begins to protrude beyond its limits and acts as a root between the vertebral sections.In addition, as the disease progresses, the integrity of the annulus fibrosus is broken, and a gel-like core emerges from it, a condition called an intervertebral hernia.In the process of irritation and compression of the spinal nerve, the nerve becomes inflamed, causing severe pain, which means that lumbar osteochondrosis eventually turns into radiculitis.Another likely outcome in the absence of therapeutic measures for lumbar osteochondrosis is sciatica.Sciatica is inflammation of the sciatic nerve.In this case, the patient experiences severe pain in the lower back, which is reflected by 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 aggravates the blood circulation of the discs and provokes the subsequent destruction process.Another possible consequence of lumbar osteochondrosis is acquired compression myelopathy, in which the spinal canal is narrowed due to disc growth, which impairs blood circulation.Due to the acquired instability of the spine, the column begins to sag from the sacral region, affecting the adjacent organs.Women may have problems with the uterus, ovaries, men are at risk of disrupting the potential.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 complete or partial paralysis of the legs and hips.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
The most common causes of this disease 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
- poor development of the spine;
- straight legs;
- spinal injuries, especially those in the lumbar and lumbar regions;
- wrong metabolism;
- spinal degeneration associated with age-related changes.
The risk group for lumbar osteochondrosis includes the following people:
- there is curvature of the spine;
- suffers from obesity and metabolic disorders;
- in a bent position for a long time;
- there is a hereditary tendency;
- in an environment of increased stress;
- have sleep disorders, get little rest;
- exposing the body to hypothermia;
- they are representatives of professions such as loaders, builders, drivers, and also have qualifications related to constant computer work.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
In addition to the pain experienced by people suffering from lumbar osteochondrosis, especially during periods of severe stress, there are other symptoms of this disease, which are manifested by the following:
- dull pain moving 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 sharp pain occurs at the slightest attempt to change the position;
- constant tension in the back muscles;
- lumbar lumbago in the slightest hypothermia;
- numbness of the thigh, gluteal muscles, lower leg and foot;
- tingling sensation in the legs;
- arterial spasm to pulselessness;
- pathology of sweat glands;
- 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 reasons being uneven loading of 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 note the following provoking factors:
- physical inactivity with long-term incorrect postures;
- hormonal imbalance;
- congenital problems in the form of leg curvature, dysplasia;
- significant loads in the lumbar region due to heavy loads, especially among loaders and athletes;
- incorrect posture;
- injuries;
- heredity;
- poor nutrition.