Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which are different, is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
This condition is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, spreading over time to the ligaments and bone tissue of the lumbosacral vertebrae. An acute process, in the absence of therapy, inevitably turns into a chronic process.
Degenerative disease can turn a healthy person into a disabled person.
Degrees of lumbar spine osteochondrosis
Classify 4 degrees of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region. The scheme of development of the disease is as follows:
First degree.In the inner part of the fibrosus ring, lesions form in the form of cracks, where the contents of the pulposus nucleus penetrate, causing irritation. This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis. Deformity of the intervertebral discs is barely expressed and gives reflex pain with sudden movements and heavy lifting. Unpleasant sensations in the lower back can be mild and noticeable:
- lumbodynia - local pain, persistent in the lumbar spine;
- lumbago - sudden painful "lumbago" in the lower back.
Second degree.Destructive processes in anal fibrosus continue. The distance from one vertebra to the other decreases, causing compression of the nerve fibers. There is discomfort in the lower third of the back, which occasionally develops in periods of pain.
Third degree.During this period, the final destruction of the ring fibrosis occurs with the extraction of the pulposus nucleus. Vessels and nerve endings are compressed by intervertebral discs. An intervertebral hernia forms. The spine is curved, forming:
- lordosis - an arched deformity in the lumbar spine, with a forward bulge of the spine;
- kyphosis - the opposite position to the lordosis, when the arch is formed from the outside;
- scoliosis - pathological curvature of the spine to the right or left.
Recent stageosteochondrosis is considered the most severe and dangerous. At this time, the spine is already deformed, normal physical activity is lost. X-rays show bone growth in the lumbar spine - the body's reaction. The pain may be absent for a while, but that does not mean improvement. People suffering from stage 4 osteochondrosis of the sacro-lumbar spine often become disabled. The reason is that at this stage the process is complicated.
Causes of lumbar spine osteochondrosis
Among the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis are the following:
- Disproportionate load on the spine.Man is an elevated creature, therefore, in a standing position, the load on the spine is considered normal. When performing various actions, you should move, bending and not bending. To keep the body in the desired state, the musculoskeletal system is in a mode of prolonged tension. In the sitting position, the load on the spine increases, and when lying on your back, it becomes minimal. When a person is in a position for a long time, the lumbar and sacral spines are overloaded and the muscles do not relax, which causes discomfort first, and then pain. This deforming factor creates the preconditions for the development of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
- Sedentary lifestyle.Contributes to the development of various pathologies, including those affecting the vertebral structures. Prolonged reduction causes deformation of cartilage tissue and decrease in muscle tone, provoking the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Excessive physical exertion.Both lack of vigorous physical activity and its excess bring nothing good to the musculoskeletal system. Long and hard work, especially associated with lifting and holding weights, leads to overload of the back muscles and causes the formation of vertebral hernias.
- Behavioral disorders.Deformation of the discs between the vertebrae can also be caused by improper walking. The reason is again in the uneven load on the spine. Intervertebral discs lose elasticity, mobility and are therefore more likely to be damaged. More than others, older and older people suffer from similar problems.
- Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, trauma and infectious lesions.Often, osteochondrosis is the result of disorders of the musculoskeletal system that were present at birth. For example, when the body cartilage tissues are naturally fragile. In addition, spinal pathologies develop after traumatic injuries and infectious processes, both in osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
- Flat feet.Signs of a "special" foot - the absence of a race and the hanging of its bows. Those who have such a feature often face spine problems. This is due to the increased load on the intervertebral discs when walking. Throughout life, they are subject to increased physical stress during movement, so they are consumed quickly
- Mbipesha.Excess weight is a problem and an extra burden on the body. All organs and systems suffer, including the spine.
- Pathological processes.Malfunctions of various structures can adversely affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system. So, the factors that provoke osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and dysfunction of the digestive system.
- Wrong way of life.Many people do not pay enough attention to such simple and important things as physical activity, balanced diet and normal sleep. An organism that exists for a long time under stress conditions becomes weakened and vulnerable. Other pathologies that can arise in such a "fertile" soil include lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of lumbar spine osteochondrosis
Pathological changes in the lumbar spine are manifested by severe symptoms;
- Low back painis the clearest "signal" of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis. She talks about the presence of "radicular syndrome", when compression of the nerve endings of the spine causes pain in the lumbar region. The person becomes tired and irritable. Over time, doing simple and routine activities becomes a major problem due to low back pain. If an intervertebral hernia is formed in the lumbar region, the pain radiates to the lower leg, the back of the thigh and the leg. Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to sit and walk. Unpleasant feelings are not released even when lying down. Temporary relief may alternate with periods of deterioration.
- dysfunction of the genitourinary system.They are manifested by pain in the kidney area, frequent urge to urinate. Deformation of the intervertebral discs causes the lumbar spine to shift relative to the sacrum. This affects the work of the reproductive organs in women, and in men causes problems with potency;
- reduces the sensitivity of the feet in the foot area.Can be partial or absolute. In this case, the reflexes of this part of the body are weakened. Progressive pathology leads to a complete loss of sensitivity of the lower extremities;
- walking concerns.Low back pain with osteochondrosis causes a person when walking to deviate in the opposite direction to where the nerve fibers are caught. The condition does not allow walking long distances. A lame person is forced to stop occasionally, expecting pain relief. Timely medical help can save a person from disability.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Many people wonder if lumbar spine osteochondrosis is treated and how it occurs. When the diagnosis is made and the diagnosis is made, therapeutic tactics are determined.
There are various methods used to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. Which of them is necessary and advisable to apply to cure a disease or to alleviate as much as possible the condition of a person, determines the doctor.
Someone treats themselves exclusively with folk remedies, at home, forgetting that they can be used only with the approval of a medical specialist and only as part of complex therapy.
Medications for osteochondrosis
Drug therapy involves the use of:
- tablet formats;
- injection solutions;
- preparations for external use - oils and gels.
Medications that eliminate inflammation and relieve lower back pain have been prescribed. They can be used at home.
These could be:
- analgesics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- medicines for muscle spasms (muscle relaxants);
- means for the restoration of cartilage tissue (chondroprotectors);
- corticosteroids (medicines containing hormones that work to relieve pain and inflammation)
- vitamins.
The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor, who sometimes prescribes pills or medicines to calm the nervous system as an adjunct treatment.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy is another common method of relieving the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis. By acting on the spine and lower back, it enhances metabolic and restorative processes.
Most commonly described:
- magnetic, laser and electrotherapy; phonophoresis
- ;
- shock wave method;
- detensor therapy;
- vibration massage;
- balneotherapy.
How many and which procedures will be required - the doctor decides.
Physiotherapy is effective when it comes to the early stages of pathology. But it, like other types of treatment, has contraindications. Therefore, when prescribing this method, the doctor takes into account many factors.
Therapeutic exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis
A group of physical exercises that can be performed in lumbar osteochondrosis are aimed at restoring the mobility of this spine.
Regularity is considered to be the main condition for its effectiveness. Exercises performed from time to time will not bring the desired effect.
If the body already has complications caused by osteochondrosis, this method does not apply. In addition, contraindications to its use are severe pathologies of other organs and systems, as well as the presence of pain in the pelvic region and above.
Surgical intervention for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The surgical method is used in the presence of such serious complications as an intervertebral hernia. Partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is performed, as provided by the operation protocol.
Indications for surgery are:
- severe and persistent pain syndrome, which cannot be relieved with medication for a month;
- the large size of the hernia and its effect on the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to cure. Like any pathology, it is potentially dangerous with serious complications. Importers It is important to understand that more or less complete elimination of this pathology is possible in the earliest stages, when the deforming effect on the intervertebral discs is minimal. In other cases, we can only talk about relieving symptoms and maintaining the condition of the body, which allows you to live and work normally.