Lumbar osteochondrosis

One of the most common diseases today isLumbar osteochondrosis. Both men and women seek help from doctors equally often for this condition.Each of us has experienced pain in the lower back, sacrum, or lower limbs at least once in our lives. We often unknowingly refer to this type of pain as "lumbar nerve compression. "

Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis

According to research by doctors and scientists, the main cause of lumbar osteochondrosis is upright posture. However, not everyone has osteochondrosis. Predisposing factors that accelerate the development of the disease include metabolic disorders, physical inactivity, injury, excess weight, and improper lifting of weights.The source of pain in osteochondrosis is nerve root compression, which occurs after intervertebral disc herniation and intervertebral space narrowing. This deviation develops when nutrition deteriorates and the natural process of oxygen and lymphatic exchange in the disc tissue is disrupted. As a result, the shock-absorbing ability of the intervertebral disc decreases, and the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc gradually decreases and dries out.From an anatomical perspective, lumbar osteochondrosis is the process by which cartilage transforms into bone, causing undue stress on the nerve roots that extend from the spinal cord. This change can cause pain. Overgrowth of bone tissue is caused by deterioration of nutrition, fluid loss, and structural and functional disturbances in the intervertebral disc.When lumbar disc herniation becomes more severe during the development of lumbar osteochondrosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis and lumbar disc herniation can occur due to rupture of the annulus fibrosus.Due to lumbar osteochondrosis compressing the spinal nerves, a pain syndrome is formed, which is called lumbar pain. This symptom is also accompanied by numbness in the lower limbs. Depending on the nature and location of the pain, the disease can be divided into sciatica and low back pain. Inflammation caused by pinching of nerves is called radiculitis. In fact, treating radiculitis with painkillers only eliminates the symptoms and is ineffective because such treatment does not affect the real cause of the disease, which is the degenerative process of the intervertebral disc. In order to eliminate pain and take preventive measures to prevent complications, you need to undergo a comprehensive course of treatment to activate the recovery process of the disc tissue, normalize the height and physiological parameters of the disc.

Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis

One of the symptoms of osteochondrosis is that the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc compresses the spinal nerve root. This compression occurs in the epidural space, a container for the roots of the spinal cord. Lumbar osteochondrosis presents with the following symptoms corresponding to root compression:

• L1 and L2 - Loss of sensitivity in the "rider's pants" area, i. e. the groin area and inner thighs. If lumbar osteochondrosis is complicated by a hernia, pain may occur in both legs at the same time.
• L5 – Severe pain, decreased sensitivity in the lower back and thumb, and decreased ability to bend the fingers.
• S1 – Severe pain, decreased sensitivity in the outer calves and thighs, pain in the feet from the little toe to the fourth toe. Typically, when this root is damaged, the Achilles tendon and plantar reflexes are lost.
• Damage to the Deproge-Gotteron artery - In the chronic course of osteochondrosis, paralysis of the lower legs and buttocks may occur, and sensitivity in the anogenital area may disappear.
• Simultaneous damage to the L5, S root, and Deproge-Gotteron arteries results in "sciatica paralysis" syndrome, a loss of pelvic and motor function.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can lead to herniations and hernias due to the tremendous loads placed on this part of the spine. It is these complications that develop very quickly, so prompt treatment is very important. Don’t delay seeing a chiropractor, get a thorough examination, and seek qualified help at the first symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis.

Complications of lumbar osteochondrosis

Compressive vascular ischemia may be considered a complication of lumbar osteochondrosis. This pathology occurs due to an impairment of the blood supply to the spinal cord, a reduction in the intervertebral openings of blood vessels and arteries, and a narrowing of the surrounding structures of the vertebrae. The reasons for the development of this pathology are flattening of the intervertebral discs, hypermobility of the spine, weakening of ligaments, formation of osteophytes and new arthritis. As a result of any movement of the spine that affects the damaged area, permanent damage and stress can be caused to the compressed blood vessels or arteries. In addition, reflex stenosis may occur in vessels passing through narrow openings in the lumen. This effect is called "narrow bed".Chiropractors have discovered another serious complication of lumbar osteochondrosis. Compressive myelopathy is a spinal cord disease that occurs due to spinal stenosis. Depending on the location, the symptoms and severity of the pathology may vary. Most commonly, the course of the disease is intermittent—with attacks followed by periods of remission.Lumbar osteochondrosis may be complicated by TXII-L1 disc herniation, which puts pressure on and causes damage to the S1-S2, L2-L-4 segments of the spinal cord. Patients with this complication experience pain in the lower back, calves, and hamstrings, as well as weakness in the legs. The gluteal and calf muscles gradually become hypotonic and undernourished, and the Achilles tendon and plantar reflexes disappear, resulting in foot paralysis. The posterior and outer surfaces of the foot and lower leg are characterized by reduced or complete absence of sensitivity.In the presence of LI-II disc herniation, excessive pressure on the coccyx segment S3 increases and lumbar osteochondrosis can present with the following symptoms: pelvic organ destruction, fecal and urinary incontinence, constipation, loss or reduction of sensation. Anogenital area, development of bedsores, anal prolapse reflex."Cauda equina syndrome" occurs when the nerve roots are compressed from the first lumbar vertebra and below. An experienced chiropractor noted that this syndrome is most common in patients with congenital spinal stenosis. The "cauda equina" is a bundle of nerve roots that contains the terminal roots of the spinal cord starting from the first segment. The name comes from its shape like a horse's tail. The diagnosis of this syndrome depends largely on the presence of severe radicular pain. It is this feature that distinguishes cauda equina syndrome from other complications without acute pain.Cauda equina syndrome is characterized by severe pain in the sacrum and lower back that radiates to the buttocks, anogenital area, and posterior thigh surface. In some cases, paresis, peripheral paralysis, and sensory disturbances occur. Severe cases manifest as paralysis of the hips and legs. A characteristic feature of this complication can be considered an asymmetry of sensory and motor impairments.Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can lead to bone marrow "intermittent claudication" syndrome, which is characterized by weakness in the legs when walking, frequent urination, and numbness in the lower body. The cause of this discomfort is poor blood supply to the lower part of the spinal cord. After rest, these feelings will disappear.Due to ischemia at the base of the cauda equina, induced "intermittent claudication" occurs - goose bumps and a tingling sensation when walking. Over time, the symptoms become more severe, reaching the perineum, genitals, and groin. After a short rest, the weakness in the legs will disappear.Compression of the Adamkiewicz artery may occur due to unsuccessful sudden movements, heavy lifting, or shaking. This complication of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine manifests itself as disease of the pelvic organs, loss of sensitivity, the appearance of bedsores and atrophy of the leg muscles. Lumbar osteochondrosis presents with lower back pain. Pain may be worsened by prolonged exposure to uncomfortable positions. The pain may lessen or disappear completely after sleeping or resting on your back.Stressful situations in the body may lead to acute illness. This condition most commonly occurs with hypothermia, weight bearing, and sudden movement. Exacerbations are characterized by severe pain that can extend from the waist down into the legs. The body can independently try to relieve the load on the affected part of the spine through intense tension in the lower back muscles. Patients with lumbar osteochondrosis try to find a comfortable position to relieve pain.

Diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis

The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is carried out in several stages. The doctor needs to talk to the patient, ask about the chief complaint, and understand the nature of the pain, the location of the pain, when the pain was felt, its duration, intensity, etc. In addition, the doctor will find out when the pain occurs and when it worsens or subsides.After this, the chiropractor will examine the past medical history, which is the history of the disease. Your doctor will be sure to clarify how long the pain lasts, what the cause of the pain is, and how you feel while the discomfort subsides. An important point is initial treatment, and the effectiveness of certain treatments. A qualified doctor will certainly ask about the patient's living and working conditions, range of activities, health status under a certain load, and past illnesses. It is important to find out if the patient has suffered spinal injuries, participated in sports, and has any immediate family members with spinal disorders.The next step in diagnosis will be to examine the patient. The doctor pays attention to the position of the head, legs, and arms relative to the body, gait, holding pattern, symmetry of body parts, the condition of the skin in the damaged area, and the patient's movements. Afterwards, the range of motion of the spine and the extent of the damage are determined. To do this, the doctor will ask the patient to bend forward, sideways, backward, ask him to move different parts of his back, and tilt his head. A healthy person should not feel any crunching or pain in the joints during such a simple test.If the patient does not have osteochondrosis, then he can reach the chest and shoulders with his chin. Head movement is approximately 60 degrees in each direction. The head and upper cervical spine bend sideways to form a 45-degree angle. During forward flexion, the distance from the sacrum to the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra increases by 5-7 cm. When bending backwards, this distance is reduced by 5-6 cm. An experienced chiropractor will pay attention to how the knee and hip joints participate in bending and how the structure of the spine changes.

Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis

Lumbar osteochondrosis requires complex, intensive, and long-term treatment. This is especially true for chronic cases with multiple intervertebral hernias and herniations.EffectiveTreatment of lumbar osteochondrosisAchieved through reflection methods, causing no side effects but maximum benefits. Remember that recovery from such a serious illness is not possible quickly. For each case of lumbar osteochondrosis, your doctor will develop an individual treatment plan.It is important to note that manual therapy can only be used if the patient's spine is not damaged by protrusions and intervertebral hernias. The comprehensive application of these technologies can restore normal blood microcirculation, eliminate congestion and angioedema, relieve muscle spasms, restore the balance of the metabolic process of vertebrae and intervertebral disc tissues, and improve waist tissue nutrition. As a result, natural regeneration processes are stimulated. It is worth noting that for lumbar osteochondrosis, manual therapy should be aimed at improving spinal function.The treatment process of lumbar osteochondrosis is supplemented by the use of herbal remedies, which improves innervation in the body and restores the balance of metabolic processes. Chiropractors recommend nutritional corrections and a more active lifestyle to patients. Adjusting your weight is important because excess weight can put additional pressure on the lower back and exacerbate the development of lumbar osteochondrosis. Experienced specialists in the treatment of osteochondrosis can allow patients to achieve serious results while avoiding surgery, improving motor activity, eliminating low back pain, improving overall health and preventing further deterioration. The acute pain disappears after 1-3 times of manual treatment, and the positive therapeutic effect can be achieved in an average of 10-15 times. Remember, prompt initiation of treatment is a guarantee of positive results.During periods when waist pain worsens, patients are advised to stay in bed for 2-3 days. To quickly relieve pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, intravenous supplements, diuretics, niacin, B vitamins, etc. can be prescribed. Walking with crutches, dry or underwater traction of the spine can also be prescribed to relieve pain in the spine. load. If necessary, a glucocorticoid block may be used or an anesthetic may be used to perform a paravertebral block.Physical therapy for lumbar osteochondrosis can also include electrophoresis, laser therapy, and ultraviolet radiation. Physical therapy is a mandatory component of a comprehensive treatment plan. Some exercises can be performed during the acute phase, but almost all are recommended after the pain subsides. Through regular physical exercise, tissue nutrition is restored, the blood and lymph supply to the intervertebral disc is improved, and the flexibility and elasticity of joints and cartilage are gradually restored. As a result, the patient's condition improves and the intervals between exacerbations are prolonged.Hydrotherapy also has great effects on health. In climatic resorts, the use of iodine-bromine baths, hydrogen sulfide baths and radon baths is prescribed.Surgical treatment is only used when the patient's pain cannot be relieved by conservative methods for a long time, the muscles of the lower limbs are paralyzed, and the natural urination and defecation processes are interfered with. During the surgery, the herniated disc is removed and the spinal segments are strengthened.

Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis

Preventing lumbar osteochondrosis involves following simple rules recommended by chiropractors. Remember, in any case, the development of the disease can be prevented only by carefully following the following rules:

• Keep your lower back dry and warm, don't overcool your spine, and avoid drafts.
• Do not lift heavy objects or carry them over long distances.
• Try not to make sudden movements.
• Maintain correct posture while working and resting.
• Change your position as often as possible and try not to stay in one position for too long.
• Get physical therapy.
• Try not to stay in a bent position for long periods of time.
• When cleaning, use a long mop, broom, and vacuum cleaner with a long hose so you don't have to bend down.
• To lift correctly: Bend at the waist and straighten your back, or bend your knees and straighten your back to pick up the bag and stand up straight. Keep the loaded hand as close to the body as possible.
• If you need to bend down to pick something up from the floor (such as a table or under a bed), kneel on one knee and keep your back straight.
• Distribute the weight evenly between your hands.
• Strengthen your hip muscles, stretch your spine, and take a walk every day.
• Balance your diet and enrich it with dairy and plant products.
• Stick to the drinking habit - 1. 5-2 liters of water and herbal tea per day.
• Break bad habits - drinking, smoking, drugs.