Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system. Characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joint and bone tissue. Lumbar osteochondrosis means that the tissue damage occurred exactly in the lumbar region and in the sacrum, so the patient experiences the appropriate symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine gives a person considerable discomfort. This negatively affects not only the back but also the condition of the lower extremities. You should check with a specialist - a neurologist or traumatologist - about how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. This complex disease should not be cured by your own hands or on the advice of relatives and friends. Self-medication can only worsen 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. Recently, however, lumbosacral osteochondrosis is increasingly being diagnosed in young people (25-30 years old). This is due to the fact that many young people lead a sedentary lifestyle and spend a lot of time at the computer. An additional factor is the constant stress experienced by young people in the modern world. Along with improper nutrition, the advantage of fast food, it leads to deterioration not only of the spine, but also of the whole organism.
Lumbar osteochondrosis is a type of pathology that is localized in the lumbar region. This is one of the most common types of osteochondrosis. The exact causes of the disease are not fully understood, but there are provoking factors, the presence of which significantly increases the likelihood of developing osteochondrosis. ენიYour include:
- Sedentary work;
- Posture curvature;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Excessive stress on the spine (professional sports, regular weight lifting, heavy physical labor);
- Excess weight;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Age (over the years, spinal tissues undergo natural aging and thinning processes);
- Inflammatory diseases of the joints (arthritis, arthrosis, 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 degree of damage to the spinal tissues. Signs of lumbar spine osteochondrosis appear gradually, starting with minor discomfort and, in advanced cases, the onset of severe pain. It is impossible to delay treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. As the disease progresses, the symptoms only intensify, causing the person more discomfort. During severe periods, it hurts to lift even a person, so it is urgent to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. The symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- Pain in lumbar spine osteochondrosis is the most visible sign of pathology. They can gradually increase, strengthen during movements (flexion or weight gain). As the disease progresses the intensity of the pain will increase and it will be unbearable during an attack of acute osteochondrosis;
- Impaired lumbar spine mobility. Abnormal processes in the spine affect the ability to perform any movement by this department: a person has difficulty steering, turning sideways, sitting on an equal back;
- Disorder of the lower extremities. There is gait disturbance, numbness, tingling, feeling of "goose bumps", muscle weakness occurs in the legs;
- Pale skin due to impaired blood supply to the affected area;
- Sexual dysfunction (possible in severe cases).
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine: symptoms and degree
There are four degrees to which lumbar osteochondrosis develops. Symptoms and treatment directly depend on the degree of osteochondrosis: the intensity of the disease increases with the progression of the dystrophic process, which is important to consider when planning a course of therapy.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is classified as follows:
- Grade 1 osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is manifested by slight discomfort in the lumbar region. They can occur after strenuous physical activity or long days at work. The person may feel pain in the area of the spine or buttocks, as well as a tingling sensation in the lower back;
- Grade 2 osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is more pronounced. In the 2nd grade, the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc begins. The distance between the vertebrae narrows or stretches and the intervertebral disc begins to extend beyond the spine. There is compression of the nerve roots of the spine, which manifests itself in significant pain in the lower back, which is reflected in the buttocks, thighs and lower leg. A person may also feel a burning sensation or coldness in the lower back;
- Grade 3 osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is characterized by eventual destruction of the annulus fibrosis. The contents of the intervertebral disc come out - a hernia is formed. The nerve roots contract more strongly, an inflammatory process occurs, accompanied by strong constant pain in the lumbar region;
- Grade 4 osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is accompanied by complete atrophy of the cartilage and abnormal proliferation of the spine. It is the body’s compensatory response to an intervertebral disc disorder. The pain usually disappears at this point, however, this figure does not indicate an improvement in the condition. Spinal proliferation significantly impedes spinal mobility and can lead to disability.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: exacerbation symptoms and treatment
Exacerbation of lumbar spine osteochondrosis can be caused by sharp movements, weight gain, hypothermia. Acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis may increase gradually or appear suddenly. Most often, exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by severe back pain. During the attack, muscle spasm occurs in the lumbar and thoracic spine, which prevents spinal movement to prevent increased pain. In the acute period, the pain extends to the buttocks and leg area, which are connected by nerve fibers to the affected area of the spine. The person is forced to take a certain position and not change it (usually this is a horizontal position with the leg bent). Even minor movements, such as coughing, can trigger a new attack of pain.
Exacerbation of lumbar spine osteochondrosis, which should be treated immediately, may last for several days or weeks (depending on how quickly adequate therapy is started). Acute osteochondrosis is treated in a specialized hospital as soon as the patient is treated. The hospital admissions department is open 24 hours a day so patients can receive assistance at any time. To relieve severe pain, a blockade is given - a painkiller is inserted into the affected side, which helps to significantly improve the condition. After the elimination of the acute period, the main course of treatment begins.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and diagnosis
Treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis begins with diagnosis. It is essential to find out if this is true osteochondrosis and what the extent of the tissue damage is. Lumbar osteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-ray examination. The picture clearly shows the condition of the intervertebral disc and spine. The doctor determines the localization of the lesion and assesses the degree of disease development. If necessary, an additional MRI or CT scan may be scheduled to find out the details.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made at the hospital diagnostic center, which has everything needed for an accurate diagnosis. Experienced staff uses modern equipment that allows you to quickly and accurately diagnose a patient's disease. The results of the diagnosis determine how neurologists and physiotherapists treat lumbar osteochondrosis.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: Symptoms and medications
After being diagnosed, each patient is interested in the question "How to cure lumbar spine osteochondrosis? " Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region will be difficult and consists of medications and physiotherapy. At the hospital, each component of treatment is determined by an appropriate specialist based on the individual characteristics of the patient. The symptoms and signs of lumbosacral spine osteochondrosis allow you to choose the most optimal therapy that will be most effective.
Medical treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis includes several types of medication, each of which performs its function:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: relieves pain and inflammation;
- Painkillers: relieve severe pain that the previous group of drugs could not cope with;
- Muscle relaxants: relieves muscle spasms;
- Chondroprotectors: stop the degenerative process, promote the regeneration of spinal tissues;
- Vitamin complexes: normalize nerve conduction, improve the body's protective properties.
All medications, their dosage and duration of administration are strictly determined by the attending physician.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: treatment with physiotherapy
Treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis includes a course of physiotherapy. It is also an important part of treatment as well as drug therapy. Some patients are interested in how to treat lumbar spine osteochondrosis without physiotherapy. However, using drugs alone, it is impossible to eradicate the disease. Medications relieve pain that will still come back and go fairly quickly.
Osteochondrosis physiotherapy in the hospital is conducted by qualified specialists in the rehabilitation department. The patient is prescribed a rehabilitation course, taking into account his capabilities and needs. Physiotherapy includes:
- Massage during osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
- Spinal stretching;
- Physiotherapy exercises;
- Reflexology (acupuncture);
- Methods of exposure equipment (electrophoresis, amplitude, phonophoresis, etc. ).
Osteochondrosis can be cured only by using complex treatment. Low back pain usually disappears within a few days of starting therapy (depending on the degree of the disease). However, this is not a reason to stop the course of treatment. In order to achieve the best results and to exclude rapid recurrence of pathology, it is necessary to complete a full course compiled by specialists. Using effective methods of treatment, professional doctors will achieve a significant improvement in the patient's condition, allowing him to return to a perfect life.