Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine - symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which vary, 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 disc, spreading over time to the ligaments and vertebral bone tissue of the lumbosacral spine.Acute process, if there is no therapy, inevitably becomes chronic.

Degenerative diseases can turn a healthy person into a disabled person.

Stages of lumbar osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is classified into 4 degrees.The progression of the disease is as follows:

First degree.In the inner part of the fibrous ring, damage is formed in the form of a crack, through which the contents of the nucleus pulposus penetrate, causing irritation.This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis.Deformation of the intervertebral disc is almost invisible and causes reflex pain during sudden movements and lifting heavy objects.Unpleasant sensations in the lower spine can be simple and real:

• lumbodynia - local, persistent pain in the lumbar spine;
• lumbago - sudden "shooting" pain in the lower back.

second degree.The process of destruction in the fibrous ring continues.The distance from one vertebra to another decreases, causing compression of nerve fibers.There is discomfort in the lower third of the back, which sometimes develops into an attack of pain.

third degree.During this period, the final destruction of the fibrous ring occurs with extrusion of the nucleus pulposus.Blood vessels and nerve endings are compressed by the intervertebral disc.An intervertebral hernia is formed.The spine is curved, forming:

• lordosis - curved deformity in the lumbar region, with forward curvature of the spinal column;
• kyphosis - a position opposite to lordosis, when the arch is formed outward;
• Scoliosis is a pathological curvature of the spine to the right or left.

Final 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 growth in the lumbar spine - a reaction from the body.There may be no pain for some time, but this does not mean improvement.People suffering from stage 4 osteochondrosis in the sacrolumbar region 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 as follows:

1. Unbalanced load on the spine.A person is an upright creature, therefore, in a standing position, the load on the spine is considered normal.When performing various actions, you need to move, bend and not bend.To maintain the body in the desired state, the musculoskeletal system is in a mode of prolonged tension.In a sitting position, the load on the spinal column increases, and when lying on your back, it becomes minimal.When a person remains in one position for a long time, the lumbar and sacral spine are burdened and the muscles do not relax, which first causes discomfort and then pain.These deformation factors create prerequisites for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
2. Sedentary lifestyle.It contributes to the development of various pathologies, including those affecting the vertebral structure.Prolonged sitting causes deformation of cartilage tissue and a decrease in muscle tone, causing the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
3. Excessive physical activity.Both lack of active physical activity and excess does not bring anything good for the musculoskeletal system.Long hard work, especially related to lifting and carrying heavy objects, leads to excessive tension of the back muscles and causes the formation of spinal hernia.
4. Postural disorders.Deformation of the disc between the vertebrae can also be caused by improper walking.The reason is again the uneven load on the spine.Intervertebral discs lose elasticity and mobility, and are therefore more prone to damage.Older and older people experience more of the same problems than others.
5. Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, injuries and infectious wounds.Often, osteochondrosis is the result of disorders of the musculoskeletal system that are present at birth.For example, when the body's cartilage tissue is naturally fragile.In addition, spinal pathology develops after traumatic injuries and infectious processes, such as in osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
6. Flat feet.Signs of "special" feet are the absence of notches and drooping arches.Those with this trait often face spine problems.This is due to the increased load on the intervertebral disc when walking.Throughout life, they are exposed to increased physical impact when moving, so they wear out quickly
7. Obesity.Excess weight is a problem and an additional burden for the body.All organs and systems suffer, including the spine.
8. Pathological process.Dysfunction of various structures can adversely affect the state of the musculoskeletal system.Therefore, factors that provoke osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and damage to the digestive system.
9. Wrong lifestyle.Many people do not pay enough attention to simple and important things like physical activity, balanced diet and normal sleep.Organisms that exist under stress for a long time become weak and vulnerable.Among other pathologies that can arise on the "fertile" soil is lumbar osteochondrosis.

Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis

Pathological changes in the lumbar spine are indicated by severe symptoms;

• Lower back painis the most interesting "signal" for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.He spoke of the presence of "radicular syndrome," when compression of the spinal nerve endings causes pain in the lumbar region.The person becomes tired and irritable.Over time, doing simple and common actions becomes a big problem because of pain in the lumbar spine.If an intervertebral hernia has formed in the lumbar region, the pain radiates to the lower leg, back of the thigh and leg.Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to sit and walk.The unpleasant sensation does not go away even in a lying position.Temporary relief may alternate with periods of exacerbation.;
• genitourinary system dysfunction.They manifest as pain in the kidney area and a frequent urge to urinate.Deformation of the intervertebral disc causes displacement of the lumbar region relative to the sacrum.This affects the function of internal reproductive organs in women, and causes problems with potency in men;
• decreased leg sensitivity in the leg area.It can be either partial or absolute.At the same time, the reflexes of this part of the body are weak.Progressive pathology leads to a complete loss of sensation in the lower part of the leg;
• gait disturbance.Pain in the lumbar region with osteochondrosis causes a person to deviate when walking in the opposite direction to where the nerve fibers are pinched.The situation did not allow to walk far.A person with a limp has to stop from time to time, waiting for the pain to subside.Timely medical help can save a person from disability.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Many people wonder if lumbar 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 by which lumbar osteochondrosis is treated.Which of them is necessary and advised to be used to cure a disease or alleviate a person's condition as much as possible is determined by the doctor.

Someone treats themselves exclusively with folk remedies, at home, forgetting that they can only be used with the approval of a medical specialist and only as part of a complex therapy.

Drug treatment of osteochondrosis

Drug therapy involves the use of:

• tablet form;
• injection solution;
• preparations for external use - ointments and gels.

Medicines are prescribed to eliminate inflammation and relieve pain in the lumbar region.They can be used at home.

This could be:

• analgesics;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• medicine for muscle spasms (muscle spasms);
• ways to restore cartilage tissue (chondroprotectors);
• corticosteroids (drugs containing hormones whose action is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation)
• vitamins.

The course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor, who, as an additional treatment, sometimes prescribes pills or drugs that calm the nervous system.

Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis

Another common method that relieves the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is physiotherapy.By affecting the spine and lower back, it improves metabolic processes and recovery.

Often prescribed:

• magnet, laser and electrotherapy;
• phonophoresis;
• shock wave method;
• detensor therapy;
• vibration massage;
• balneotherapy.

The doctor decides how much and what procedures are needed.

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, doctors take into account many factors.

Therapeutic exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis

A set of physical exercises that can be shown for lumbar osteochondrosis aims to restore the mobility of this part of the spine.

Regularity is considered the main condition for its effectiveness.Exercise done occasionally will not bring the desired effect.

If the body already has complications caused by osteochondrosis, this method is not used.In addition, contraindications to its use are severe pathologies of other organs and systems, as well as the presence of pain in the pelvic area and above.

Surgical intervention for lumbar osteochondrosis

Surgical methods are used if there are severe complications such as intervertebral hernia.Partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is performed, as provided in the surgical protocol.

Indications for surgery are:

• severe and persistent pain that cannot be relieved by medication for a month;
• the large size of the hernia and its effect on the spinal cord.

Osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to treat.As with any pathology, it is potentially dangerous with serious complications.It is important to understand that a more or less complete relief from this pathology is possible at the earliest stage, when the effect of deformation on the intervertebral disc is minimal.In other cases, we can only talk about relieving symptoms and maintaining a body condition that allows a person to live and work normally.