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 articular and bone tissue. Lumbar osteochondrosis implies that tissue damage has occurred precisely in the lumbar region and sacrum, so the patient will experience the corresponding symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine gives a person significant discomfort. It negatively affects the condition of not only the back, but also the lower limbs. About how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, it is necessary to clarify with a specialist - a neurologist or traumatologist. This complex disease should not be treated on your own or on the advice of relatives 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 fixing this problem.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: causes
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is considered to be a disease of older people. However, recently, lumbosacral osteochondrosis is increasingly being diagnosed in young people (at the age of 25-30). 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 that a young person experiences in the modern world. Combined with inappropriate nutrition, the predominance of fast food, this leads to a deterioration in the condition of not only the spine, but also the whole organism.
Lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine is a type of pathology that is localized in the lumbar region. This is one of the most common types of osteochondrosis. The exact reasons for the development of the disease are not thoroughly known, but there are provoking factors, the presence of which significantly increases the likelihood of developing osteochondrosis. These include:
- sedentary work;
- curvature of posture;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excessive stress on the spine (professional sports, regular weight lifting, hard physical labor);
- overweight;
- back injuries;
- age (over the years, the tissues of the spine undergo natural aging and thinning processes);
- inflammatory diseases in 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. Symptoms and treatment of the disease will depend on the extent of the damage to the tissues of the spine. Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear gradually, starting with minor 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 the person more discomfort. In a severe acute period, it hurts a person even to rise, so it is necessary to immediately treat lumbar osteochondrosis. The 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, getting stronger during movements (bending 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 the mobility of the lumbar spine. Pathological processes in the spine affect the ability to perform any movements by this department: it is difficult for a person to bend over, turn to the sides, sit with an even back;
- disruption of the lower extremities. There is a violation of gait, numbness, tingling, a feeling of "goose bumps", muscle weakness occur in the legs;
- pallor of the skin is noted, which is associated with a violation of the blood supply to the affected area;
- sexual dysfunction (possible in severe cases).
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine: symptoms and degrees
There are four degrees by 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 consider when drawing up a course of therapy.
Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is classified as follows:
- osteochondrosis of the 1st degree of the lumbar spine is manifested by minor 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;
- osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree of the lumbar spine is felt more pronounced. At grade 2, 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 vertebrae. Compression of the nerve roots of the spine occurs, which is expressed in significant lower back pain, which is reflected in the area of the buttock, thigh and lower leg. The person may also feel a burning sensation or coldness in the lower back;
- osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree of the lumbar spine is characterized by the final destruction of the annulus fibrosus. The contents of the intervertebral disc come out - a hernia is formed. The nerve roots are compressed more, an inflammatory process occurs, which is accompanied by severe constant pain in the lumbar region;
- osteochondrosis of the 4th degree of the lumbar spine is accompanied by complete atrophy of cartilage 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 goes away, however, this indicator does not indicate an improvement in the condition. The proliferation of vertebrae significantly impairs 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 a sharp movement, weight lifting, hypothermia. Acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis may increase gradually or appear suddenly. Most often, exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by acute severe pain. During an attack, muscle spasm occurs in the lumbar and thoracic spine, which interferes with the movement of the back to prevent increased pain. Pain in the acute period extends to the area of the buttocks and leg, which are communicated by 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 cause a new bout of pain.
An exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the treatment of which must be started immediately, can last for several days or weeks (depending on how quickly adequate therapy was started). In a specialized hospital, acute osteochondrosis is treated immediately after the patient's treatment. The admission department of the hospital is open around the clock, so the patient can get help at any time. To relieve acute pain, blockades are performed - the introduction of an analgesic into the affected area, which contributes to a significant improvement in the condition. After the elimination of the acute period, the main course of treatment is started.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and diagnosis
Treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis begins with diagnosis. It is necessary to find out whether this is true osteochondrosis, and what is the scale of tissue damage. Low back osteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-ray. The picture will clearly show the state of the intervertebral disc and vertebrae. The doctor specifies the localization 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.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is carried out in the diagnostic center of the hospital, which has everything necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Experienced personnel use modern equipment, which makes it possible to identify the patient's ailment as quickly and correctly as possible. The results of the diagnosis will determine how neurologists and physiotherapists will treat lumbar osteochondrosis.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medication
After the diagnosis is made, 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 the treatment is determined by the appropriate specialist based on the individual characteristics of the patient. Symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine allow you to choose the most optimal therapy that will be most effective.
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;
- pain relievers: relieve severe pain that the previous group of drugs cannot cope with;
- muscle relaxants: relieve muscle spasm;
- chondroprotectors: stop the degenerative process, promote the regeneration of spinal tissues;
- vitamin complexes: normalize nerve conduction, improve the protective properties of the body.
All medicines, their dosage and duration of administration are determined strictly 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, just like drug therapy. Some patients are interested in how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine without physiotherapy. However, with the use of drugs only, it will not be possible to eliminate the disease. Medication will dull the pain, which will return anyway, and quickly enough.
In the hospital, physiotherapy of osteochondrosis is carried out in the rehabilitation department by qualified specialists. The patient is prescribed a course of rehabilitation, taking into account his capabilities and needs. Physiotherapy includes:
- massage for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
- spinal stretching;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- reflexology (acupuncture);
- hardware methods of exposure (electrophoresis, amplipulse, phonophoresis, etc. ).
Only by applying complex treatment can osteochondrosis be cured. Low back pain usually goes away within a few days after starting therapy (depending on the degree of the disease). However, this is not a reason to stop the course of treatment. To achieve the best result and exclude a rapid relapse of pathology, it is necessary to complete a full course, which is drawn up by specialists. Using effective methods of treatment, professional doctors achieve a significant improvement in the patient's condition, which allows him to return to a fulfilling life.