Lumbar spine osteochondrosis is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system. It is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes of articular and bone tissue. Lumbar osteochondrosis means 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 considerable discomfort. Negatively affects the condition of not only the back but also the lower limbs. About how to treat lumbar spine osteochondrosis, you should check with a specialist - a neurologist or traumatologist. This complex disease should not be treated alone or with 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 performed in the hospital. There are specialists specialized in eliminating this problem.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: causes
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is considered to be a disease of the elderly. Recently, however, lumbosacral osteochondrosis is increasingly being diagnosed in young people (aged 25-30). This is due to the fact that many young people lead a sedentary lifestyle and spend a lot of time on the computer. An additional factor is the constant stress a young person experiences in the modern world. Combined with inadequate nutrition, the predominance of fast food, this leads to a deterioration of the condition not only of the spine, but also the whole organism.
Lumbar spine 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 development of the disease are not fully known, but there are provocative factors, the presence of which significantly increases the possibility of developing osteochondrosis. This includes:
- sedentary work;
- curvature of posture;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excessive stress on the back (professional sports, regular weight lifting, strenuous physical work);
- overweight;
- back injuries;
- age (over the years, spinal tissues undergo natural processes of aging and thinning);
- inflammatory diseases of the joints (arthritis, osteoarthritis, scoliosis, etc. );
- diseases associated with metabolic disorders;
- Unhealthy lifestyle;
- hereditary predisposition.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: 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 tissue. Signs of lumbar spine osteochondrosis appear gradually, starting with minor discomfort and, in advanced cases, the onset of acute pain. It is impossible to delay treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. As the disease progresses, the symptoms will only intensify, causing the person more discomfort. In an acute severe period, it hurts a person to even stand up, so it is necessary to immediately treat lumbar osteochondrosis. The symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- pain in lumbar spine osteochondrosis is the most striking sign of pathology. They can be built up gradually, becoming stronger during movements (bending or lifting weights). As the disease progresses, the intensity of the pain will increase, and during an attack of acute osteochondrosis will be unbearable;
- violation of the mobility of the lumbar spine. Pathological processes in the spine affect the ability to perform any movement from this department: it is difficult for a person to bend over, turn to the sides, sit with an equal back;
- rupture of the lower extremities. There is a gait disturbance, numbness, tingling sensation, a feeling of "goose bumps", muscle weakness occurring in the legs;
- discoloration of the skin is observed, which is accompanied by a violation of blood supply to the affected area;
- sexual dysfunction (possible in severe cases).
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine: symptoms and degrees
There are four stages by which lumbar osteochondrosis develops. Symptoms and treatment depend directly on the degree of osteochondrosis: the intensity of the manifestations of the disease increases with the progression of the dystrophic process, which is important to consider when designing a course of therapy.
Lumbar intervertebral osteochondrosis is classified as follows:
- grade 1 lumbar spine osteochondrosis manifests with mild discomfort in the lumbar region. They can occur after a strenuous physical exertion or a long day at work. A person may feel pain in the back or buttocks area, as well as a tingling sensation in the lower back;
- grade 2 osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine feels more pronounced. In 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 considerable pain in the lower back, which is reflected in the area of the buttocks, thighs and lower leg. The person may also feel a burning or cold sensation in the lower back;
- grade 3 lumbar spine osteochondrosis is characterized by eventual destruction of the fibrosus ring. The contents of the intervertebral disc come out - a hernia is formed. The nerve roots are more tightly compressed, an inflammatory process occurs, which is accompanied by persistent severe pain in the lumbar region;
- Grade 4 osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is associated with complete cartilage atrophy 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. Spread of the vertebrae significantly impairs the mobility of the spine and can lead to disability.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of deterioration
Worsening of lumbar spine osteochondrosis can be caused 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 severe acute pain. During an attack, muscle spasm occurs in the lumbar and thoracic spine, which interferes with back movement to prevent increased pain. The pain in the acute period extends to the area of the buttocks and legs, which communicate from the 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 injured leg). Even small movements, such as coughing, can cause a new period of pain.
A worsening of lumbar spine osteochondrosis, treatment of which should begin immediately, may last for days or weeks (depending on how quickly adequate therapy is started). In a specialized hospital, acute osteochondrosis is treated immediately after treating the patient. The hospital admissions department is open all the time, 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 of 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 necessary to find out if this is true osteochondrosis and what is the degree of tissue damage. Osteochondrosis of the spine is diagnosed by X-ray. The photograph will clearly show the condition of the intervertebral disc and vertebrae. The doctor specifies the location 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.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is performed at the hospital diagnostic center, which has everything you need for an accurate diagnosis. Experienced staff uses modern equipment, which allow you to quickly and accurately identify the patient's disease. The results of the diagnosis will determine how neurologists and physiotherapists will treat lumbar osteochondrosis.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medication
After diagnosis, each patient is interested in the question "How to cure lumbar spine osteochondrosis? " Treatment of lumbosacral region osteochondrosis will be complex and will consist of medication and physiotherapy. In the hospital, each component of treatment is determined by the appropriate specialist based on the individual characteristics of the patient. The symptoms and signs of lumbosacral osteochondrosis 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;
- painkillers: relieve severe pain that the previous group of drugs could not 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 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. Alsosht is also an important part of treatment, as is drug therapy. Some patients are interested in how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis without physiotherapy. However, with the use of medication alone, it will not be possible to eliminate the disease. Medication will relieve the pain, which will return anyway, and fairly quickly.
In the hospital, osteochondrosis physiotherapy is performed in the rehabilitation department by qualified specialists. The patient is prescribed a rehabilitation course, taking into account his abilities and needs. Physiotherapy includes:
- massage for lumbar spine osteochondrosis;
- spine extension;
- 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 to exclude a rapid recurrence of pathology, it is necessary to complete a complete course, designed 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 satisfying life.