Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which are diverse, is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
This condition is characterized by the fact that degenerative-dystrophic changes develop in the intervertebral discs, which over time spread to the ligaments and bone tissue of the lumbosacral spine.The acute process, in the absence of therapy, inevitably becomes chronic.
A degenerative disease can turn a healthy person into a disabled person.
Grades of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is classified into 4 degrees.The progression of the disease is as follows:
first degree.Damage to the inner part of the annulus fibrosus occurs in the form of cracks into which the contents of the nucleus pulposus penetrate, causing irritation.This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis.Deformation of the intervertebral discs is barely pronounced and causes reflex pain when making sudden movements and lifting heavy objects.Unpleasant sensations in the lower part of the spine can be moderate and manifest as:
- Lumbodynia – local, long-lasting pain in the lower back;
- Lumbago - a sudden painful "shooting" in the lower back.
second degree.Destructive processes in the fibrous ring continue.The distance from one vertebra to another decreases, which causes compression of nerve fibers.Discomfort appears in the lower third of the back, which sometimes turns into pain attacks.
third degree.During this period, the fibrous annulus is finally destroyed by extrusion of the nucleus pulposus.Vessels and nerve endings are compressed by intervertebral discs.An intervertebral hernia is formed.The spine bends, forming:
- Lordosis - an arched deformation in the waist area, with the convexity of the spinal column in front;
- Kyphosis - a position opposite to lordosis, when the arch is formed in an outward direction;
- Scoliosis is a pathological curvature of the spine to the right or left.
last degreeOsteochondrosis is considered the most severe and dangerous.At this time, the spine is already deformed, normal motor activity is lost.X-ray shows bone formations in the lumbar region - the body's response.There may be no pain for a while, but that doesn't mean it's getting better.People suffering from stage 4 osteochondrosis of the sacroiliac spine often become disabled.The reason is that at this stage the process is complicated.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Among the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis are the following:
- Disproportionate load on the spine.A person is an upright creature, therefore, when standing, the load on the spine is considered the norm.When performing various actions, you need to move, bend and unbend.To keep the body in the desired position, the muscular system is in a mode of prolonged tension.In a sitting position, the load on the spinal column increases, and when lying on the back, it becomes minimal.When a person stays in one position for a long time, the lumbar and pelvic spine are overloaded and the muscles do not rest, which first creates a feeling of discomfort and then pain.This deforming factor creates prerequisites for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- A lifeless lifestyle.It contributes to the development of various pathologies, including the effects on the spinal structures.Long-term sitting leads to deformation of the cartilage tissue and a decrease in muscle tone, which provokes the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Excessive physical activity.Both the lack of active physical activity and its excess are not good for the musculoskeletal system.Long, hard work, especially lifting and carrying heavy objects, causes excessive strain on the back muscles and the formation of a herniated disc.
- posture disorders.Deformation of the discs between the vertebrae can also be caused by incorrect walking.The reason is again the uneven load of the spine.Intervertebral discs lose elasticity and mobility and are therefore more likely to be damaged.Elderly and elderly people suffer from similar problems more than others.
- Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, injuries and infectious injuries.Often, osteochondrosis is the result of disorders of the musculoskeletal system that were present at birth.For example, when the body's cartilage tissue is fragile in nature.In addition, spine pathologies develop after traumatic injuries and infectious processes, such as osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
- flat feet.Signs of a "special" foot are the absence of compression and lowered arches.People who have this trait often face spine problems.This is due to the increased load on the intervertebral discs during walking.Throughout their life, they are exposed to increased physical impact when moving, so they wear out quickly
- Obesity.Excess weight is a problem and an additional burden for the body.All organs and systems suffer, including the spine.
- pathological processes.Dysfunction of various structures can negatively affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system.Thus, factors provoking osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and digestive system malfunctions.
- wrong lifestyle.Many people do not pay enough attention to such simple and important things as physical activity, balanced nutrition and normal sleep.An organism that is under stress for a long time becomes weak and vulnerable.Among other pathologies that can arise on such "fertile" soil is lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Pathological changes in the lumbar area are manifested by acute symptoms;
- Lower back painIt is the clearest "signal" of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.He talks about the presence of "radicular syndrome", when compression of the nerve endings of the spine causes pain in the lower back.A person becomes tired and irritable.Over time, doing simple and familiar activities becomes a big problem due to back pain.If an intervertebral hernia has formed in the lumbar region, the pain radiates to the lower limb, the back of the thigh, and the foot.Over time, sitting and walking become increasingly difficult.Unpleasant sensations do not disappear even when lying down.Temporary relief may alternate with periods of exacerbation;
- Dysfunction of the urogenital system.They are manifested by pain in the kidney area and a frequent urge to urinate.Deformation of the intervertebral discs causes displacement of the lumbar region relative to the sacrum.It affects the functioning of reproductive internal organs in women and causes impotence in men;
- Loss of sensation in the legs.It can be partial or absolute.At the same time, the reflexes of this part of the body weaken.Progressive pathology leads to a complete loss of sensitivity in the lower limbs;
- gait disturbance.Pain in the lower back during osteochondrosis causes a person to deviate when walking in the opposite direction to the stretching of the nerve fibers.The situation does not allow walking long distances.A person with lameness is forced to stop from time to time and wait for the pain to disappear.Timely medical help can save a person from disability.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Many people are interested in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis and how it happens.When the diagnosis is made and the diagnosis is made, the therapeutic tactics are determined.
There are various methods of treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis.Which of them is necessary and appropriate to use in order to cure the disease or alleviate the human condition as much as possible, the doctor determines.
Someone treats himself exclusively with folk remedies at home, forgetting that they can be used only with the consent of a medical specialist and only as part of a complex therapy.
Medical treatment of osteochondrosis
Medical therapy includes:
- tablet forms;
- injection solutions;
- Preparations for external use - ointments and gels.
Medicines are prescribed to eliminate inflammation and relieve pain in the lower back.They can be used at home.
It can be:
- Analgesics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Medicines for muscle spasms (muscle relaxants);
- Means for restoring cartilage tissue (chondroprotectors);
- Corticosteroids (hormone-containing drugs whose action is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation)
- vitamins.
The course of treatment is determined by the doctor who, as an additional treatment, sometimes prescribes pills or medicines that calm the nervous system.
Physiotherapy in lumbar osteochondrosis
Another common method that relieves the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is physiotherapy.By affecting the spine and the lower part of the waist, it strengthens the metabolic and recovery processes.
Most often prescribed:
- magnetic, laser and electrotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- shock wave method;
- detensor therapy;
- vibration massage;
- Balneotherapy.
The doctor decides how many and what procedures will be required.
Physiotherapy is effective in the initial stages of the pathology.But it, like other types of treatment, has contraindications.Therefore, when prescribing this method, the doctor considers many factors.
Therapeutic exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis
A set of physical exercises that can be prescribed for lumbar osteochondrosis is aimed at restoring the mobility of this part of the spine.
Regularity is considered the main condition for its effectiveness.Exercises performed periodically will not bring the desired effect.
If the body already has complications caused by osteochondrosis, this method is not used.In addition, severe pathologies of other organs and systems, as well as the presence of pain in the pelvis and above, are contraindications to its use.
Surgical intervention in lumbar osteochondrosis
The surgical method is used in the presence of such severe complications as intervertebral hernia.Partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is performed, as prescribed by the surgical protocol.
The indications for the operation are:
- severe and persistent pain that cannot be relieved by medication within a month;
- The large size of the hernia and its effect on the spinal cord.
Prevention of osteochondrosis is easier than treatment.Like any pathology, it is potentially dangerous with serious complications.It is important to understand that more or less complete relief from this pathology is possible at an early stage, when the effect of deformation on the intervertebral discs is minimal.In other cases, we can only talk about alleviating symptoms and maintaining a body condition that allows a person to live and work normally.