The most common type of spinal pathology is lumbar osteochondrosis.The largest percentage of people suffering from lumbar osteochondrosis fall into the age period after 30 years.This disease is caused by degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the spine and intervertebral disc.This disease is characterized by severe pain attacks in the lumbar region.
How does osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occur?
Since most of the body is supported by the pelvic bones, 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 cartilage tissue, inside of which there is a semi-liquid core.The purpose of the intervertebral disc is to act as a hinge, allowing the spine to be flexible and bend in different directions.Osteochondrosis affects the circulatory system, when it is disturbed, the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc 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 weight of the body.The affected part of the ridge begins to fold gradually and puts pressure on the adjacent nerves, causing severe pain that radiates to the leg.This condition is called lumboischialgia.If left untreated, patients are at risk of 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 appears in the protrusion, whenthe intervertebral disc begins to exceed its limits and acts as a root between the parts of the vertebrae.Further, when the disease progresses, the integrity of the fibrous ring is disturbed, from which the gel-like core flows out, 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 eventually develops into radiculitis.Another possible consequence if there are no therapeutic measures for lumbar osteochondrosis is sciatica.Sciatica is inflammation of the sciatic nerve.In this situation, the patient experiences severe pain in the lumbar region, which is reflected by pain in the legs, which may be accompanied by muscle numbness.Due to severe pain, a person tries to avoid putting pressure on the painful part, arching the spine, which worsens the blood circulation of the disc, triggering the further destruction process.Another possible consequence of lumbar osteochondrosis is acquired compression myelopathy, in which the spinal canal narrows due to disc growth, affecting blood circulation.Due to the acquired instability of the spine, the column begins to sag from the sacral area, affecting the adjacent organs.Women can have problems with the uterus, ovaries, men are at risk of damaging 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 back.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
The reasons why this disease is acquired most often include the following:
- low intensity physical activity;
- diseases of the thyroid gland, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract;
- high physical activity, weight lifting;
- Vertebral joint disease, especially rheumatoid arthritis
- vertebral underdevelopment;
- flat feet;
- spinal injuries, especially in the lumbar and cruciate regions;
- improper metabolism;
- Spinal degeneration associated with age-related changes.
Risk groups for lumbar osteochondrosis include people who:
- have a curvature of the spine;
- suffering from obesity and metabolic disorders;
- being in a bent position for a long time;
- have a hereditary tendency;
- being in an environment of increased stress;
- have sleep disturbances, rest a little;
- subjecting the body to hypothermia;
- are representatives of professions such as loaders, builders, drivers, and also have expertise related to constant presence at the computer.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
In addition to the pain experienced by those suffering from lumbar osteochondrosis, especially during periods of heavy stress, there are also other symptoms of this disease, which manifest themselves in 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 are in one position for a long time, blood accumulates in the lesion, and at the slightest attempt to change position, sharp pain occurs;
- constant tension in the back muscles;
- lumbar lumbago at slight hypothermia;
- numbness of thighs, gluteal muscles, lower legs and feet;
- tingling sensation in the legs;
- arterial spasm to the point of no pulse;
- sweat gland pathology;
- drying of the skin in the area of pain and loss of sensitivity.
Description and cause of disease
Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs for several reasons, one of the main ones being the uneven load on the spine.This 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 disc.Experts include the following provoking factors:
- physical inactivity with prolonged incorrect posture;
- hormonal imbalance;
- congenital problems in the form of leg curvature, dysplasia;
- significant load on the lumbar region due to heavy lifting, especially among loaders and athletes;
- incorrect posture;
- injury;
- descent;
- poor nutrition.