Translated from the ancient Greek language, osteochondrosis means ὀστέον - bone and χόνδρος - cartilage, and it is characterized by complex degenerative changes in the articular elements of the bone skeleton. Almost all parts of the skeleton are susceptible to this neurological disease. The 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 more common in modern conditions, that is the subject of discussion and concern for practicing neuropathologists.
Pathogenesis or development of the inflammatory process
Any organism in the process of growth changes its physiology. So, due to 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 framework. Insufficient nutrition with the necessary microelements is further complicated by osteochondrotic processes that lead to the loss of elastic and strength characteristics of cartilaginous joints. With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of the disease are most active with the asymmetric and irrational work of the muscles of the spine, which are detected in various conditions:
- insufficient heating of muscle tissue;
- wrong posture;
- congestion of the intervertebral joints due to excess adipose tissue;
- use mattresses on a soft base during the night's rest;
- acute 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 framework.
If lumbar osteochondrosis is detected, symptoms of a neurological disease due to untimely medical intervention can lead to more serious neurological pathologies, for example, sciatica, spinal hernia, intervertebral disc injury and other complications.
Why does lumbar osteochondrosis occur?
To date, the problem of diffuse transformations in the disc space has not been fully studied. With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of manifestations of neurological pathology are often felt by middle-aged people 35-45 years old.
Nervous overload and stressful situations can also lead to the onset of the disease.
It is at this age most efficient when static and dynamic stress occurs in the spine. However, according to the observations of experts, back pain begins to bother more and more people of 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 joint deformation, which lead to lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and treatment of neurological pathology, it is desirable to identify and respond appropriately at the earliest stage of the formation of the disease.
Other causal 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 the 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, smoking 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. In the age period from 35 to 45 years, the female body begins to undergo significant physiological transformations, which affects the functional work of all bony and cartilaginous areas of the spine.
Symptomatic signs of the disease.
With osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, the symptoms of neurological pathology are felt with pain in the lumbar region, leading to numbness, discomfort and a sensation of pain in the lower back. The lack of adequate therapy can complicate the situation and lead to a complete atrophy of the muscular structures of the lumbosacral spine. Increased pain can be triggered by various factors, for example sneezing, coughing, sharp turns, and heavy lifting. Cuts that occur in the lumbar region are most common in the gluteal region and the calf region of the lower extremity. With lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the symptoms of a neurological disease can be determined by the following signs:
- emit sharp and aching pain in the sacral region of the spine and in the organs of the pelvic region;
- loss of sensation;
- discomfort in the innervated muscles of the lumbar spine;
- hypotension and hypotrophy.
All of these symptomatic signs arise from damage to the nerve roots in 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, based 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 mild pain sensations in the lower back, which intensify under the influence of physical exertion. Only with sudden movements, 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 lower extremity ankle region, buttocks, and outer thigh is due to compression of the nerve endings between the discs in the spinal space.
- The 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 hernia in the intervertebral disc. Severe pain in the lower back is permanent due to a significant deformity in 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 entire process of destruction of the musculoskeletal system. This stage of the disease leads to the disability of the patient, as well as to the total or partial immobility of him.
However, any form of osteochondrosis should not cause fear or panic in a person; only adequate and appropriate medical treatment is required.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medication
Based on the results of the symptomatic signs and the establishment of an appropriate diagnosis according to the stage and form of the disease, specialists select the appropriate drug treatment, which is based on the use of drug combinations of various orientations. The key treatment goals to resolve 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 state of his endocrine system, play an important role in the choice of a drug treatment method.
The primary emphasis in drug exposure is placed on elimination of pain with the proper selection of pharmacological analgesic agents. Anti-inflammatory drugs allow you to neutralize destructive processes in the muscular structures of the spinal region. The most effective pharmacological agents are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory groups.
The most effective pharmacological agents are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory groups.
With the ineffectiveness of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), anesthetics with hormonal additions and / or paravertebral block are used. In addition, the complex pharmacological process includes other types of pharmacological drugs, for example, sedative drugs, muscle relaxants, groups of drugs containing vitamins B1 and B12, which eliminate the compression effect and provide micronutrients to the nervous tissue. After the end of the acute inflammatory period, treatment is completed through drug therapy, and other therapeutic and prophylactic measures are used during the remission period.
Therapeutic prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis.
You should be aware that the treatment of osteochondrosis is a complex process that requires strict discipline and strict adherence to all the prescriptions of the attending physician. A prerequisite for the full recovery of the body is to carry out all stages of complex therapy, which includes:
- Massage that helps to relieve muscle pain, restore blood circulation in problem areas of the lumbar spine, eliminate muscle tension in these areas of the body.
- Physical therapy is a great way to rehab after illness. The absence of side effects, the elimination of residual tensions in the lumbar region - these are the advantages that physiotherapy procedures have.
- Manual therapy is able to act mechanically on the muscles of the lower back to a large extent and provide them with an improvement in all vital processes.
It should be remembered that non-compliance with the recommendations of the neuropathologist for complex therapeutic treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is a possible meeting with the surgeon. In 90% of cases, surgical intervention on the spinal sections is a consequence of a neglected state of the disease and non-compliance with the recommendations of the attending physician.