Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system. It is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes of the joint and bone tissue. Lumbar osteochondrosis implies that the tissue damage has occurred precisely in the lumbar region and the sacrum, so the patient will experience the corresponding symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine causes great discomfort in the person. It adversely affects the condition not only of the back, but also of the lower extremities. On how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, you should consult with a specialist - a neurologist or a traumatologist. This complex disease should not be treated on your own or on the advice of family and friends. Self-medication can only aggravate the process and cause even more damage to the spine.
High-quality treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out in the hospital. There are specialists who specialize in eliminating this problem.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: causes.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is considered a disease of the elderly. However, recently, lumbosacral osteochondrosis is increasingly diagnosed in young people (at the age of 25-30 years). This is due to the fact that many young people lead a sedentary lifestyle and spend a lot of time in front of the computer. An additional factor is the constant stress that a young person experiences in the modern world. Combined with improper nutrition, the predominance of fast food, this leads to a deterioration in the state not only of the spine, but also of the entire organism.
Lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine is a type of pathology that is located in the lumbar region. This is one of the most common types of osteochondrosis. The exact causes of the development of the disease are not fully understood, but there are provoking factors, the presence of which significantly increases the probability of developing osteochondrosis. These include:
- sedentary work;
- curvature of posture;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excessive stress on the spine (professional sports, regular weight lifting, hard physical work);
- over weight;
- back injuries;
- age (over the years, the tissues of the spine undergo natural aging and thinning processes);
- inflammatory diseases in the joints (arthritis, osteoarthritis, scoliosis, etc. );
- diseases accompanied by metabolic disorders;
- Unhealthy lifestyle;
- hereditary predisposition.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms
At an early stage, it is quite difficult to identify lumbosacral osteochondrosis. The symptoms and treatment of the disease will depend on the extent of damage to the tissues of the spine. The signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear gradually, beginning with mild discomfort and, in advanced cases, the appearance of acute pain. It is impossible to postpone the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. With the development of the disease, the symptoms will only intensify, causing further discomfort to the person. In a severe acute period, it hurts a person to even get up, so it is necessary to immediately treat lumbar osteochondrosis. Symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the most striking sign of pathology. They can build up gradually, becoming stronger during movements (bending over or lifting weights). As the disease progresses, the intensity of pain will increase, and during an attack of acute osteochondrosis it will be unbearable;
- violation of mobility of the lumbar spine. Pathological processes in the spine affect the ability to perform any movement in this department: it is difficult for a person to bend over, turn sideways, sit with a straight back;
- breakage of the lower extremities. There is a violation of gait, numbness, tingling, a feeling of "goose bumps", muscle weakness occurs in the legs;
- paleness of the skin is noted, which is associated with a violation of blood supply to the affected area;
- sexual dysfunction (possible in severe cases).
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine: symptoms and degrees.
There are four degrees in which lumbar osteochondrosis develops. Symptoms and treatment directly depend on the degrees of osteochondrosis: the intensity of the manifestations of the disease increases with the progression of the dystrophic process, which is important to take into account when drawing up a course of therapy.
Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is classified as follows:
- First degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is manifested by slight discomfort in the lumbar region. They can occur after strenuous physical exertion or a long day at work. A person may feel pain in the back or buttock area, as well as a tingling sensation in the lower back;
- second-degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine feels more pronounced. In grade 2, destruction of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc begins. The distance between the vertebrae narrows or stretches and the intervertebral disc begins to extend beyond the vertebrae. Compression of the nerve roots of the spine occurs, which is expressed in significant low back pain, which is reflected in the area of the buttock, thigh and lower leg. The person may also feel a burning or cold sensation in the lower back;
- Third-degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is characterized by the eventual destruction of the annulus fibrosus. The contents of the intervertebral disc come out - a hernia is formed. The nerve roots are compressed more strongly, an inflammatory process occurs, which is accompanied by intense and constant pain in the lumbar region;
- Fourth-degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is accompanied by complete cartilage atrophy and pathological proliferation of the vertebrae. This is a compensatory reaction of the body to the violation of the intervertebral disc. At this stage, the pain usually disappears, however, this indicator does not indicate an improvement in the condition. The proliferation of vertebrae significantly affects the mobility of the spine and can lead to disability.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment of exacerbation.
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be triggered by sudden movement, weight lifting, hypothermia. Acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis can gradually increase or appear suddenly. Most often, exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by severe acute pain. During an attack, a muscle spasm occurs in the lumbar and thoracic spine, which interferes with movement of the back to prevent increased pain. The pain in the acute period extends to the area of the buttocks and the leg, which communicate via nerve fibers with the affected area of the spine. A person is forced to take a certain position and not change it (usually this is a horizontal position with a bent sore leg). Even minor movements, such as coughing, can trigger a new bout of pain.
An exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the treatment of which must be started immediately, can last several days or weeks (depending on how quickly the appropriate therapy was started). In a specialized hospital, acute osteochondrosis is treated immediately after the patient's treatment. The hospital's admission department is open 24 hours a day, so the patient can get help at any time. To relieve acute pain, blockades are performed - the introduction of a painkiller into the affected area, which contributes to a significant improvement of the condition. After the elimination of the acute period, the main treatment is started.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and diagnosis.
Treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis begins with diagnosis. It is necessary to find out if this is a true osteochondrosis and what is the scale of tissue damage. Lumbar osteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-ray. The image will clearly show the condition of the intervertebral disc and vertebrae. The doctor specifies the location of the lesion and assesses the degree of development of the disease. If necessary, an additional MRI or CT scan may be prescribed to clarify the details.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made in the hospital's diagnostic center, which has everything you need for an accurate diagnosis. Experienced staff use modern equipment, which allows you to quickly and correctly identify the patient's ailment. The results of the diagnosis will determine how neurologists and physical therapists will treat lumbar osteochondrosis.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medication
After diagnosis, each patient is interested in the question "How to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine? " Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region will be complex and will consist of medication and physiotherapy. In the hospital, each component of treatment is determined by the appropriate specialist based on the individual characteristics of the patient. The symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine allow you to choose the most optimal therapy that will be most effective.
The medical treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis includes several types of drugs, each of which performs its own function:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - relieve pain and inflammation;
- painkillers - relieve severe pain that the previous group of drugs cannot handle;
- muscle relaxants - relieve muscle spasms;
- chondroprotectors - stop the degenerative process, promote the regeneration of the tissues of the spine;
- vitamin complexes - normalize nerve conduction, improve the protective properties of the body.
All drugs, their dosage and the duration of administration are strictly determined by the attending physician.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: treatment with physiotherapy.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine includes a course of physiotherapy. It is also an important part of treatment, as is drug therapy. Some patients are interested in how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine without physical therapy. However, only with the use of drugs, it will not be possible to eliminate the disease. The medication will calm the pain, which will return anyway and quickly enough.
In the hospital, physiotherapy for osteochondrosis is carried out in the rehabilitation department by qualified specialists. The patient is prescribed a rehabilitation course, taking into account her abilities and needs. Physical therapy includes:
- massage for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
- spinal stretch;
- physical therapy exercises;
- reflexology (acupuncture);
- hardware exposure methods (electrophoresis, amplipulse, phonophoresis, etc. ).
Only applying complex treatment can cure osteochondrosis. Low back pain usually disappears a few days after starting therapy (depending on the degree of the disease). However, this is not a reason to stop treatment. To achieve the best result and exclude a rapid relapse of the pathology, it is necessary to complete a full course, prepared by specialists. Using effective methods of treatment, professional doctors achieve a significant improvement in the patient's condition, allowing him to return to a full life.