Translated from the ancient Greek language, osteochondrosis means ὀστέον - bone and χόνδρος - cartilage, and is characterized by complex degenerative changes in the articular elements of the bone skeleton. Almost every part of the skeletal framework is 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 the discussion and concern of practicing neuropathologists.
Pathogenesis, or development of the inflammatory process
Any organism in the process of growing up 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 frame. Inadequacy in nutrition with the necessary microelements is further complicated by osteochondrotic processes leading to the loss of elastic and strength characteristics 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 under various conditions:
- insufficient warm-up of muscle tissue;
- wrong posture;
- congestion of the intervertebral joints due to excess adipose tissue;
- using mattresses on a soft base during a night's rest;
- sharp 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 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 intervertebral space has not been fully studied. With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, symptoms of manifestations of neurological pathology are often felt by middle-aged people from 35 to 45 years old.
Nervous overload, stressful situations can also lead to the onset of the disease.
It is at this most efficient age that static and dynamic stress on the spinal column occurs. However, according to the observations of experts, back pain begins to bother more and more people of the younger age category. So, already in the period from 18 to 25 years old, young people become patients of neurological treatment departments. This is due to poor physical activity, excess weight, poor posture and general deformation of the joints, which cause lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and treatment of neurological pathology, it is desirable to identify and adequately respond to it at the earliest stage of the formation of the disease.
Other causal factors leading to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include:
- hereditary forms;
- insufficient provision 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 spinal column;
- 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 bone and cartilaginous areas of the spinal column.
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, leading to numbness, discomfort and a feeling of aches in the lower back. Lack of appropriate adequate therapy can complicate the situation and lead to complete atrophy of muscle structures in the lumbosacral spine. An increase in pain can be provoked by various factors, for example, sneezing, coughing, sharp turns and lifting heavy objects. 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, the symptoms of a neurological disease can be determined by the following signs:
- giving off acute painful pain in the sacral spinal region and in the organs in the pelvic region;
- loss of sensitivity;
- discomfort in the innervated muscles of the lumbar spine;
- hypotension and hypotrophy.
All 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, according to 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 in the lumbar zone, which increases 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 onset of degenerative-dystrophic formations in the annulus fibrosus. A cutting sharp pain radiating to the ankle region of the lower limb, buttocks and the outer part of the thigh is due to squeezing of the nerve endings between the discs in the vertebral space.
- The destruction of the annulus fibrosus occurs at the third stage of the disease, and this is the most favorable time for the formation of a hernia in the intervertebral disc. Intense pain in the lumbar region is permanent due to significant deformity in the lumbosacral spine.
- The final, fourth 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 patient's disability, as well as to his complete or partial immobility.
However, any form of osteochondrosis should not cause fear and panic in a person; only appropriate adequate medical treatment is required.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medication
Based on the results of 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 pharmacological combinations of various orientations. The key treatment objectives in solving the problem are:
- slowing down the degenerative-dystrophic processes in the lumbar zone, through the implementation of appropriate therapeutic and prophylactic measures;
- elimination of functional disorders of the spinal nerve endings;
- neutralization of painful sensations;
- functional restoration of the muscle tone of the lumbosacral region;
- return of the patient to active life.
The age and gender of the patient, as well as the state of his endocrine system, play a significant role in the choice of a drug treatment method.
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 the destructive processes in the muscular structures of the spinal region. The most effective pharmacological agents are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory groups.
The most effective pharmacological agents are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory groups.
With the ineffectiveness of NSAIDs (non-steroidal 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, drug groups containing vitamins B1 and B12, which eliminate the compression effect, and provide the supply of nerve tissues with micronutrients. After the end of the acute inflammatory period, treatment through drug therapy is completed, and other therapeutic and prophylactic measures are used during the period of remission.
Therapeutic prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
You should be aware that the treatment of osteochondrosis is a complex process that requires strict discipline, and strict compliance with all the prescriptions of the attending physician. A prerequisite for the complete recovery of the body is to carry out all stages of complex therapy, which includes:
- Massage that helps relieve muscle pain, restore blood circulation in 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 that physiotherapy procedures have.
- Manual therapy is capable of mechanically acting on the muscular tissues of the lower back in a metered measure and providing them with an improvement in all vital processes.
It should be remembered that failure to comply 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 spinal column is a consequence of a neglected state of the disease, and failure to follow the recommendations of the attending physician.