Translated from ancient Greek, osteochondrosis means ὀστέον - bone and χόνδρος - cartilage, and is characterized by complex degenerative changes in the articular elements of the bone skeleton. Almost all parts of the skeletal frame are susceptible to this neurological disease. Thoracic and / or cervical vertebral discs may be in the affected area. However, it is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which are most common in modern conditions, that is the reason for discussion and concern among practicing neuropathologists.
Pathogenesis or development of the inflammatory process
Every growing organism changes its physiology. So, because of this, diffuse changes occur in the vascular bed of the intervertebral discs of the bone skeleton. The supply of nutrients to the lumbar spine is complicated by various traumatic conditions and / or constant dynamic loads on this part of the spinal frame. Insufficient nutrition with the necessary microelements is further complicated by osteochondrotic processes leading to the loss of the characteristics of elasticity and strength of the cartilaginous joints. With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of the disease are most active with asymmetric and irrational work of the muscles of the spine, which are detected in various conditions:
- insufficient heating of muscle tissue;
- bad posture;
- congestion of the intervertebral joints due to excess fatty tissue;
- use mattresses on a soft base for a night's rest;
- strong mechanical and / or dynamic loads on the lumbar spine;
- Physical stress;
- with exacerbation of chronic pathologies.
The supply of nutrients to the lumbar spine is complicated by various traumatic conditions and / or constant dynamic loads on this part of the spinal frame.
If lumbar osteochondrosis is detected, symptoms of a neurological disease due to untimely medical intervention can lead to more serious neurological conditions, for example, sciatica, spinal hernia, injury to the intervertebral disc and other complications.
Why does lumbar osteochondrosis occur?
To date, the problem of diffuse transformations in the intervertebral space has not been fully studied. With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, symptoms of manifestations of neurological pathology are often felt by people of average age from 35 to 45 years old.
Nerve overload, stressful situations can also lead to the onset of the disease.
It is at this age that static and dynamic stress on the spine is most effective. However, according to the observations of experts, back pain is beginning to bother more and more people in the younger age group. So, already in the period from 18 to 25 years, young people become patients of neurological treatment departments. This is due to poor physical activity, excess weight, poor posture and general deformity of the joints, which cause lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and treatment of neurological pathology, it is desirable to identify it and adequately respond to it at the earliest stage of the formation of the disease.
Other causative factors leading to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include:
- hereditary forms;
- insufficient supply of cartilaginous vessels with micronutrients;
- violation of metabolic processes due to various circumstances;
- uneven development of musculoskeletal structure;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- disorders of the body associated with the work of the endocrine system;
- weakening of muscle structures due to the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and other bad habits;
- a consequence of various chronic pathologies;
- segmental instability of the elements of the spine;
- nervous overload, stressful situations and other components.
However, when diagnosing osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine, symptoms of neurological pathology in women can be diagnosed due to disorganization or the development of disorders associated with hormonal changes. Between 35 and 45 years of age, the female body begins to undergo significant physiological transformations, which affect the functional work of all bone and cartilage areas of the spine.
Symptomatic signs of the disease
With osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, the symptoms of neurological pathology make themselves felt with aching pain in the lumbar region, resulting in numbness, discomfort and a feeling of pain in the lower back. Lack of proper adequate therapy can complicate the situation and lead to complete atrophy of the muscle structures of the lumbosacral spine. Increased pain can be caused by various factors, such as sneezing, coughing, tight turns, and heavy lifting. Cuts that occur in the lumbar region are most often given to the gluteal region and the calf region of the lower limb. With lumbosacral osteochondrosis, symptoms of a neurological disease can be determined by the following signs:
- giving off sharp aching pain in the sacral spinal region and in the organs of the pelvic region;
- loss of sensitivity;
- discomfort in the innervated muscles of the lumbar spine;
- hypotension and hypotrophy.
All of these symptomatic signs are caused by damage to the nerve roots of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine.
Stages of the disease
When diagnosing lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of the disease depend on the stage of the inflammatory process. So, depending on the results of a diagnostic examination, it is possible to determine several specific signs of inflammation of the lumbar spine:
- The first stage is determined by slight pain sensations in the lumbar area, which intensify under the influence of physical exertion. It is only with sudden movements that the patient feels a sharp, aching or dull pain in the lower back. In a relaxed state, pain does not occur.
- The second stage is determined when the distance between the vertebral discs decreases, due to compression, and the appearance of degenerative-dystrophic formations in the fibrous ring. A sharp, cutting pain radiating to the ankle region of the lower limb, buttocks and the outer part of the thigh is due to the compression of the nerve endings between the discs in the vertebral space.
- Destruction of the fibrous ring occurs in the third stage of the disease, and this is the most favorable time for the formation of a herniation in the intervertebral disc. The severe pain in the lumbar region is permanent due to a significant deformity of the lumbosacral spine.
- The fourth final stage of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms, treatment and rehabilitation of which are the most difficult in the whole process of destruction of the musculoskeletal system. This stage of the disease leads to the patient's disability, as well as to his total or partial immobility.
However, any form of osteochondrosis should not cause fear and panic in a person; only appropriate and adequate medical treatment is required.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medications
Based on the results of symptomatic signs and the establishment of an appropriate diagnosis depending on the stage and form of the disease, specialists select the appropriate drug therapy, which is based on the use of pharmacological combinations of various orientations. The main treatment goals for solving the problem are:
- slow down degenerative-dystrophic processes in the lumbar area, through the implementation of appropriate therapeutic and prophylactic measures;
- elimination of functional disorders of spinal nerve endings;
- neutralization of painful sensations;
- functional restoration of muscle tone in the lumbosacral region;
- return of the patient to active life.
The age and sex of the patient, as well as the condition of his endocrine system, play an important role in the choice of a method of drug treatment.
The main emphasis in drug exposure is on the elimination of pain with the appropriate selection of pharmacological analgesic agents. Anti-inflammatory drugs allow you to neutralize destructive processes in the muscle structures of the spinal region. The most effective pharmacological agents are the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory groups.
The most effective pharmacological agents are the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory groups.
With the ineffectiveness of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), anesthetics with hormonal additions and / or paravertebral blockade are used. In addition, the complex drug process includes other types of pharmacological drugs, for example, sedative drugs, muscle relaxants, groups of drugs containing vitamins B1 and B12, which eliminate the compressive effect and provide nervous tissues withmicronutrients. After the end of the acute inflammatory period, treatment with pharmacotherapy is terminated, and other therapeutic and prophylactic measures are used during the period of remission.
Therapeutic prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
You should know that the treatment of osteochondrosis is a complex process that requires strict discipline and strict adherence to all prescriptions of the attending physician. A prerequisite for the full recovery of the body is to perform all stages of complex therapy, which includes:
- Massage that helps relieve muscle pain, restore blood circulation to problem areas of the lumbar spine, eliminate muscle tension in these areas of the body.
- Physiotherapy is a great way to rehabilitate after an illness. The absence of side effects, the elimination of residual stresses in the lumbar region, these are the advantages of physiotherapy procedures.
- Manual therapy is able to act mechanically on the muscle tissues of the lower back to a measured extent and bring them improvement of all vital processes.
It should be remembered that non-compliance with the recommendations of the neuropathologist for the complex therapeutic treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is a possible meeting with the surgeon. In 90% of cases, surgical intervention in the sections of the spine is the consequence of a neglected state of the disease and non-compliance with the recommendations of the attending physician.