Lumbar osteochondrosis

Without proper treatment, osteochondrosis develops. The intervertebral disc is hardened and its cushioning performance deteriorates. It grows on the bone tissue of the vertebrae and presses on the nerve endings. Therefore, the patient will continue to have pain.

Degree and classification

Experts classify spine osteochondrosis into 4 degrees:

Begins to destroy the intervertebral discs. The symptoms of the disease are mild. The burning sensation, tingling and pain will only appear after physical exercise. Patients talk about the appearance of dull pain, which sometimes radiates to the buttocks.
1. The distance between the vertebrae gradually decreased, and the annulus fibrosus began to collapse. The intervertebral disc is compressed, exceeding the physiological limit, and putting pressure on the nerve root. The patient complained of obvious pain, which caused pain in the hips, thighs and legs during walking. In addition to pain and burning sensation, it may also become cold.
2. The annulus fibrosus was destroyed, and during the examination, the patient developed an intervertebral hernia. Regardless of the load, it will continue to bother you.
3. The bones of the vertebrae can be seen growing out. Cartilage atrophy makes it difficult for patients to move. As a result, the lumbar spine loses mobility and flexibility, and the patient becomes disabled.

Experts can distinguish such periods of osteochondrosis

• debut;
• aggravate;
• Relief;
• Stable.

Choose the treatment method according to the stage of the disease, the nature of the deformity and the severity of the symptoms of the disease.

ICD 10 code

According to the International Classification of Diseases, the code name of osteochondrosis of the spinal cord is M42. There are adolescents (M42. 0), adults (M42. 1) and unspecified (M42. 9) osteochondrosis.

Prevalence and significance

The lumbar region is more likely to suffer from osteochondrosis than other parts of the spine. This is due to the increased load that the area must bear. Due to the weak muscle corset, the condition of the intervertebral discs began to deteriorate rapidly and was destroyed.

After examination of patients over 40 years old, it was found that most patients had characteristic changes in their intervertebral discs. But in the absence of clinical manifestations, a person is not considered sick.

The disease progresses without proper treatment. The neglected form can lead to disability of the patient.

Risk factors and causes

Representatives of these occupations often encounter osteochondrosis: programmers, office workers, construction workers, movers, waiters, drivers.

Risk factors increase the risk of developing osteochondrosis, including:

• Overweight;
• Unhealthy diet;
• Posture problems;
• Genetic susceptibility;
• Lack of sleep;
• Constant pressure;
• Continuous low temperature;
• Need to be in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
• Low exercise volume.

The reasons for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis include

• The natural aging process of the human body;
• Metabolism problems;
• Back injury;
• Back problems;
• Flat feet;
• Intense sports activities, such as weightlifting;
• Problems with spine joints (rheumatoid arthritis);
• Endocrine diseases;
• Digestive system and cardiovascular system problems.

Some experts believe that the tendency to develop osteochondrosis is spread at the genetic level.

Consequences

Changes in the cartilage tissue between the vertebraelead to the deterioration of the annulus fibrosus and the appearance of herniasThe patient began to complain of severe pain in the waist area, which radiated to the gluteal muscles, thighs and calves. But this is not the only possible complication of osteochondrosis.

Prolonged stimulation of spinal nerves can cause inflammation. The patient has sciatica.

With osteochondrosisSciatica may develop(inflammation of the sciatic nerve). The disease causes severe pain, numbness in the lower back and legs. The patient began to walk leaning to one side. This causes further curvature of the spine and further destruction of the intervertebral disc.

Osteochondrosis causes vertebral instability. The waist area starts to move from the bone under the influence of body weight. In women, this instability can cause problems with the internal organs of men (uterus, ovaries, and appendages), while men are effective.

When the intervertebral discs are damaged, the blood supply to the spinal cord is interrupted, and the vertebrae are displaced resulting in compressive myelopathy.

Cauda equina syndrome is considered the most dangerous complication. The reason is that the nerve root is affected. In severe cases, osteochondrosis can cause paraplegia of the lower limbs or paralysis of the legs.

If the first symptom appears, you should consult your doctor and do not ignore the necessity of treatment, you can prevent negative consequences.

Symptoms

Osteochondrosis will not appear immediately. In the initial stage, the patient has no pain or discomfort. Discomfort usually occurs when the disease progresses to stage 2.

The main symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis include:

Low back pain worsens as the disease progresses;
• Inconvenience: The patient bends over, has problems turning around, and the sensation of changing body position is called "electric shock" by the patient, and many of the pain will spread to the leg;
• The changes in the sensitivity of the limbs appear on the background of damaged nerve roots, with burning sensation, numbness, crawling movement, and tingling in the affected area;
• Muscle weakness, insufficient tendon reflex;
• The local temperature drops;
• Increased sweating;
• Pale, dry skin in the problem area;
• Urination disorders, sexual dysfunction (severe osteochondrosis).

Some patients have leg vasospasm. But the symptoms are only expressed in the acute form of osteochondrosis. Acute attacks may begin with hypothermia, clumsy movements or after strenuous exercise.

Which doctor is treating?

If you have low back pain, you shouldsee an orthopedic doctor and neurologist. The exam assesses the patient's nervous system and examines how the spine performs its functions. The doctor also evaluates the condition of the back and gluteal muscles.

For experienced experts, a preliminary diagnosis can be established with only one inspection. But to confirm this, the patient will be sent to a hardware diagnosis.

Diagnostic methods

The easiest and most convenient way to detect osteochondrosis isradiography. But in order to obtain more accurate images, a computer or magnetic resonance imaging is required.

MRIcan check the condition of the spine as accurately as possible. In fact, in this process, layer by layer pictures of the problem area are taken.

Treatment

The doctor may prescribe:

• Drug therapy, choose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormone drugs, analgesics;
• Drug block, painkillers, hormone drugs are injected into the affected area or muscles around the diseased vertebrae, which can relieve inflammation and relieve pain almost immediately;
It is recommended to
• manual therapy, massage, physical therapy, physical therapy is recommended after the acute phase of the disease ceases to enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment;
• Medical gymnastics;
• Acupuncture.

Need to take action in advanced situations. In the case that conservative treatment cannot bring the expected results, surgical interventions should be taken.

Conclusion

With the progress ofdystrophic degenerative changes in the lumbar cartilage tissue, osteochondrosis was diagnosed. In the late stage, this disease not only causes continuous severe pain, but also causes paralysis and paralysis of the lower limbs.