Osteochondrosis is a degenerative joint disease. In this case, different departments of the musculoskeletal system may suffer. The disease is accompanied by a mass of unpleasant symptoms. Sometimes a person, it would seem, for no reason, begin to whine, pull numb upper and lower limbs. Do not rush to write off everything for overwork or sprain. This allows you to suspect osteochondrosis. Legs hurt in this case due to a number of reasons. Features and methods of treating the disease will be discussed later.
general characteristics
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative process that leads to the destruction of cartilage, connective tissue. In advanced cases, the disease is manifested by the destruction of bone tissue. This can lead to disability, loss of joint mobility.
Sometimes people notice pain and weakness in the legs. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar sometimes leads to similar consequences. The fact is that when the normal position of the vertebrae changes, they begin to compress the nerve endings, which leads to pain. Due to inflammation and irritation of the nerves, spasm of blood vessels occurs. Their internal clearance is reduced. As a result, tissues and organs that are below the bloodstream, lack nutrients, oxygen.
As a result, certain violations appear. Lack of blood provokes pain in the legs, their weakness. This is one of the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Development mechanism
There are a number of special symptoms that occur with thoracic, lumbar, and cervical osteochondrosis. Legs hurt and numb due to the nature of the development of the disease. If there are violations in the spinal column in this department, the negative consequences are slightly different. Drawing pains, tingling in the hands. Sight, hearing may also be impaired. Blood circulation in the brain is getting worse. This leads to distraction, headaches.
Osteochondrosis in the lumbar often causes discomfort in the legs. This is due to changes in the intervertebral disc. In normal condition, they play the role of shock absorbers. Over time, they lose this ability for a number of factors. Previously, such changes were almost always detected in patients of the older age group. Today, the disease has become characteristic of young people.
It should be noted that by no means always degenerative changes in the spine are manifested by unpleasant symptoms in the legs. In 30% of patients with lumbar osteochondrosis, such manifestations are absent.
Causes of pain
When lumbar osteochondrosis occurs, the legs go numb and hurt in 70% of patients. Today, doctors are not fully aware of the causes of this situation. There are two popular theories about this.
Some scientists are of the opinion that in degenerative processes caused by damage to the disc, pain is the result of micron instability. Here inflammation develops. It affects the nerves located in this department. First, pain appears in the back, and then in the legs.
The second theory is the assertion that unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities arise due to some automatic features. Nerves penetrate deeper into the outer ring. This enhances the sensitivity of the disc, which provokes pain.
Pain occurs most often with the development of erosion of the cartilaginous marginal plate. She feeds the discs between the vertebrae. Most often, the pain radiates to one leg. Much less often, unpleasant symptoms appear in both lower limbs.
Disease development
With osteochondrosis, arms and legs can respond to changes in the body in different ways. Sometimes pain in the limbs is absent. Also, the symptomatology depends on the stage and characteristics of the development of the disease.
When osteochondrosis occurs in the lumbar spine, unpleasant sensations are observed in the back. Their intensity becomes greater over time. If no action is taken, the disease proceeds to the next stage. In this case, radicular syndrome can be observed. Pain, except for the lower back, begins to be detected in the buttocks and legs. Most often, discomfort is observed in the lower leg and thigh.
Due to insufficient blood circulation in the lower extremities, weakness appears in them. Gait may vary. This disease has a lot of similar symptoms with other pathologies. Therefore, treatment and diagnosis should be carried out by an experienced specialist. Over time, the disease progresses. The pains get stronger. Tonic cramps may appear in the calf muscles .
Symptomatology
If your legs hurt and numb with osteochondrosis, it is important to undergo timely diagnosis and undergo a course of treatment effective in this situation. Symptoms that accompany this disease are similar to other pathologies.
A characteristic feature of lumbar osteochondrosis, which causes pain in the legs, is the absence of edema. Veins with this disease are not dilated. Tingling or weakness in the legs appears periodically.
In some cases, a chill sensation appears in the shin area. This is also true for the feet. This indicates the appearance of spasm of the vessels of the lower extremities. Soreness may appear in the area of the feet; reflexes in these sections may be weakened. Paresthesia may also appear. The sensitivity of the tissues is reduced. In some cases, it disappears completely.
Pain most often occurs in one leg. Weakness can occur in both limbs. If both legs hurt, this is most likely not a consequence of osteochondrosis.
Diagnostics
Leg pain in osteochondrosis requires immediate study and diagnosis by a specialist. For this, the doctor prescribes a series of examinations. It is necessary to pass a general and biochemical blood test, do an x-ray and angiography. An ultrasound of the vessels may be prescribed. Sometimes a diagnosis becomes impossible without computed tomography or MRI.
The doctor always asks how long the unpleasant symptoms are observed, whether there was an injury before this. Also, the patient should describe the intensity and nature of the pain. Whether this condition is associated with increased discomfort in the lumbar, cervical or thoracic spine. You should also tell your doctor if there is weakness in the legs. Sometimes frequent urination, digestive problems can occur.
Conservative treatment
Special treatment is prescribed for osteochondrosis. The legs in this case will also stop hurting. Treatment is prescribed by a doctor after a comprehensive examination. It may include several different techniques. The choice depends on the stage of the disease, its features. One of the treatment methods is conservative therapy.
If the pain is severe, the patient is shown bed rest. It is necessary to remove the load from the spine. This significantly reduces discomfort. Gradually, back and leg pains begin to subside. Weakness in the limbs will also pass.
The patient should lie on a hard, flat surface. It is unacceptable that the mattress bend under it. A small soft roller is placed under the knees. You can replace it with a simple pillow. This will eliminate the compression of the nerves. Bed rest does not last long. It is shown for only a few days.
Medicines
Medicines are also widely used in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Legs and hands, according to patients, cease to hurt and numb. Treatment can reduce unpleasant symptoms. When using medications, it is possible to reduce pain in the back, as well as legs. Medications are needed to reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process.
Also, the doctor may prescribe drugs that reduce spasm. This will improve blood circulation in the limbs. Also, with the help of special drugs, blood flow in the vessels of the back and legs increases. The metabolic processes at the same time become faster. This has a positive effect on the state of the whole organism. The disease recedes.
The list of drugs is extensive. The choice depends on many factors. Self-medication can be extremely dangerous to health. Therefore, all medicines prescribed by a doctor. He prescribes a dose of the drug that matches the characteristics of the body.
You may also need additional vitamin complexes. The doctor will require the patient to review the diet. Some products will need to be removed from it (fried, salty, fatty, etc.). It is necessary to supplement the diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. Vitamin complexes should also be prescribed by a doctor in accordance with the characteristics of the patient's body.
Other methods
Other treatments for osteochondrosis may also be prescribed. Legs during these procedures quickly stop numb or hurt. One of these methods is physiotherapy. Such effects can improve blood circulation in the limbs. In this case, muscle spasm can also be overcome without the use of medications. Pain and weakness in the legs go away quickly.
Today, laser therapy, shock wave, magnetic therapy are used to treat the presented disease. Electrophoresis may also be prescribed. In some cases, the patient is shown acupuncture. It must be performed by a professional with extensive experience.
Another effective method in the fight against the ailment presented is massage. The procedure is aimed at eliminating pain. Massage can be classic and acupressure. The procedure is carried out only after the inflammation is removed. Exercise therapy methods are also very effective.
Having examined why the legs hurt with osteochondrosis, you can understand the features of the development of pathology. It is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner. This will allow you to start treatment as soon as possible. Its effectiveness in this case will be high.