The causes of the formation of intervertebral hernias of the lumbar region
The main cause is osteochondrosis. In this case, the membrane thickens through which the intervertebral disc receives nutrition and water. Its cartilaginous ring becomes more delicate and fragile, but it continues to receive the same load, if not more, with age. Because of this, the pulpous nucleus is gradually squeezed into the surrounding tissue, exfoliates the softer fibers, and eventually protrudes into the spinal canal. There it squeezes the spinal cord, separate nerve roots or ponytail. This is the bulging part of the disc and is called the intervertebral hernia.
If the pressure in the disk turned out to be quite high,The »shot» disk is not only able to squeeze, but to cut the fibers going to the legs and pelvic organs. As a result - irreversible paralysis, impotence, dysfunction of the pelvic organs (spontaneous emptying of the bladder and intestines).
With osteochondrosis, the above process is rather slow.
Other causes that cause the formation of an intervertebral hernia are:
- Congenital or acquired disorders from the hip joint or bone structures of the spine;
- Scoliosis;
- Long stay in a sitting position (driving more than 2 hours a day or more than 4 hours in a row - at the computer);
- Smoking (blood circulation to the disk is impaired);
- Injury of the spine (especially with an accident);
- Frequent improper lifting of weights, when a person does not transfer weight to his legs, but »loads» his back;
- Excess weight;
- Monotonous movements, in which the waist is involved (when you have to pull something, push, bend, and so on).
Symptoms of the lumbar intervertebral hernia
The manifestations of a hernia in the lumbar region depend on:
- the stage of its development;
- the one between which vertebrae it is located;
- how great it is;
- where it spreads: forward, into the channel, or aside, to one of the roots.
1. If the hernia is still small, that is, does not protrude into the canal and does not press on the roots, a person feels only pain in the lower back. Pain in the lumbar region, occurs periodically, has a dull character, does not give anywhere. Such a lumbar pain increases with lifting of weight, running, prolonged standing, coughing or sneezing, prolonged sitting (especially in a bent position).
2. Progression of the disease is characterized by the appearance of »radicular» symptoms: pain is noted not only in the lower back, but extends to the buttock, abdomen, legs. It can be a shooting thing, because of which it is impossible to make a certain movement (its people call »radiculitis»). There may be such complaints:
- pain under the knee or in the calf muscles,In the foot (especially in the thumb). In this case, it increases with coughing, sneezing, standing, and movements. However, similar symptoms can signal and about other diseases - more on vnogi.ru;
- the leg is numb, »not felt», »does not obey,» »bakes»; The touch to the floor becomes insensitive, there is a feeling of »crawling crawl»;
- sometimes a person may notice that the calfMuscles became flabby, decreased in volume; Or to go to him painfully, it is necessary to stop often (provided that the person continues his usual activity, and does not make such complaints after a long lying because of a serious illness / operation).
3. Later it is noted that it is becoming more difficult to bend your back in the waist or turn around. Dangerous symptoms may appear: decreased leg activity (up to paralysis), urinary incontinence or delay, changes in intestinal function (constipation, diarrhea), impotence. These symptoms can be a »logical end» of the slowly current degenerative process in the disk, and it happens that they appear sharply, after feeling a »lumbago» in the waist.
