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 in intervertebral discs, changes in degenerative-dystrophic nature are developing, spreading over time to ligaments and bone tissue of the vertebrae of the lumbosacral spine.The acute process, against the background of the lack of therapy, inevitably goes into chronic.
A degenerative disease can turn a healthy person into a disabled person.
Degree of osteochondrosis of the lumbar
Classify 4 degrees of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region.The development scheme of the disease is as follows:
The first degree.In the inside of the fibrous ring, damage is formed in the form of cracks, where the contents of the jet nucleus penetrate, causing irritation.This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis.The deformation of the intervertebral discs is barely expressed and gives reflex pains with sharp movements and lifting weights.Unpleasant sensations in the lower spine can be moderate and manifest:
- lumbalgia - local, lasting pain in the lumbar spine;
- Lumbago - sudden pain "shutter" in the lower back.
The second degree.Destructive processes in the fibrous ring continue.The distance from one vertebra to the other decreases, causing compression of the nerve fibers.There is discomfort in the lower third of the back, which sometimes develops into bouts of pain.
The third degree.During this period, the final destruction of the fibrous ring with squeezing the jet nucleus occurs.Vessels and nerve endings are compressed by intervertebral discs.Intervertebral hernia is formed.The spine is twisted, forming:
- lordosis - arched deformation in the lumbar region, with the bulge of the spinal column forward;
- kyphosis - a position in the opposite of the Lord, when the arc is formed in the external direction;
- Scoliosis is a pathological bend of the spine to the right or left.
The last degreeOsteochondrosis is considered the most severe and dangerous.At this time, the spine is already deformed, normal motor activity is lost.In X -ray pictures, bone growths in the lumbar spine are visible - the response of the body.Pain can be absent for some time, but this does not mean improvement.People suffering from 4 stages of osteochondrosis of the sacral and clarity department often become disabled.The reason is that at this stage the process is complicated in nature.
The causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Among the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis, the following are distinguished:
- Disproportionate load on the spine.A person is a direct being, therefore, in a standing position, the load on the spinal column is considered normal.When performing a variety of actions, you have to move, bending and unbending. To maintain the body in the right condition, the musculoskeletal system is in long-term voltage mode.In a sitting position, the load on the spinal column grows, and lying on the back becomes minimal.When a person is in one position for a long time, the lumbar and sacral parts of the spine are overloaded and the muscles do not rest, from which the feeling of discomfort first appears, and then pain.This deforming factor creates the prerequisites for the development of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
- A sedentary lifestyle.It contributes to the development of different pathologies, including those that affect the vertebrates.Long -term sitting causes deformation of cartilage tissue and a decrease in muscle tone, provoking the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Excessive physical activity.Both the lack of active physical activity and its excess, do not carry anything good for the musculoskeletal system.A long, hard work, especially related to the lifting and transfer of weights, leads to overstrain of the muscles of the back and causes the formation of vertebrates.
- Moster disorders.Deformation of the discs between the vertebrae can be caused by incorrect walking.The reason is again in an uneven load on the spinal column.Intervertebral discs lose elasticity, mobility, and therefore are rather damaged.People of senior and advanced age suffer from more similar problems.
- Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, injuries and infectious lesions.Often osteochondrosis is a consequence of violations of the musculoskeletal system that were available at birth.For example, when the cartilage tissues of the body are fragile by nature.In addition, the pathologies of the spine develop after traumatic damage and infectious processes, as in osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
- Flat feet.The signs of a “special” foot - the lack of a seizure and the prolapse of its arches.Those who have such a feature often face the problems of the spine.This is due to increased load on intervertebral discs when walking.Throughout life, they are subjected to intensified physical impact during movement, so they quickly wear out
- Obesity.Excess weight is a problem and additional load for the body.All organs and systems suffer, including the spine.
- Pathological processes.Dysfunctions of various structures can adversely affect the state of the musculoskeletal system.So factors provoking osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and a digestive system failure.
- Incorrect lifestyle.Many people do not pay due attention to such simple and important things as physical activity, balanced nutrition and normal sleep.The body that has existed in conditions of stress for a long time becomes weakened and vulnerable.Other pathologies that may occur on such a “fertile” soil include lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar
Pathological changes in the lumbar spine are manifested by severe symptoms;
- Low's painIt is the most striking "signal" of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.She talks about the presence of a “radicular syndrome” when compression of the nerve endings of the spine causes pain in the lumbar region.The person becomes tired and irritable.Over time, the performance of simple and familiar actions turns into a big problem due to pain in the lumbar spine.If the intervertebral hernia is formed in the lower back, the pain radiates into the lower leg, the back of the thigh and the foot.Over time, it becomes more and more difficult to sit and walk.Unpleasant sensations are not released even in a lying position.Temporary relief may alternate with periods of exacerbation.;
- Dysfunctions of the genitourinary system.They are manifested by pain in the area of the kidneys, frequent calls for urination.The deformation of the intervertebral discs causes the displacement of the lumbar region relative to the sacrum.This affects the work of internal reproductive organs in women, and in men causes problems with potency;
- Reducing the sensitivity of the legs in the foot area.It can be both partial and absolute.In this case, the reflexes of this part of the body are weakened.Progressive pathology leads to a complete loss of sensitivity of the lower extremities;
- gait violations.Pain in the lumbar region for osteochondrosis makes a person to deviate in the direction opposite to the one where the nerve fibers are pinched.The condition does not allow long distances.A limping person is forced to stop from time to time, expecting a decrease in pain.Timely medical care can save a person from disability.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Many are wondering whether osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is treated and how this happens.When a diagnosis is carried out and a diagnosis is made, therapeutic tactics are determined.
There are various methods by which lumbar osteochondrosis is treated.Which of them is necessary and appropriate to apply to cure the disease or to alleviate the condition of a person as much as possible, the doctor determines.
Someone treats himself exclusively by folk remedies, at home, forgetting that they can be used only with the approval of a medical specialist and only as part of complex therapy.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis
Therapy using medicines involves the use of:
- tablet forms;
- injection solutions;
- external drugs - ointments and gels.
Medications that eliminate inflammatory processes and stop pain in the lumbar region are prescribed.They can be used at home.
It can be:
- analgesics;
- non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs;
- drugs for spasm in muscles (muscle relaxants);
- means for restoration of cartilage tissue (chondroprotectors);
- Corticosteroids (hormone -containing drugs, the action of which is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation)
- Vitamins.
The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor who sometimes prescribes tablets or mixtures, soothing the nervous system as additional treatment.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Another common method that relieves symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is physiotherapy.Acting on the spine and lower back, it enhances the processes of an exchange-inflammatory nature.
Most often appointed:
- magnetic, laser and electrotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- shock-wave method;
- Dutoenzor therapy;
- vibration massage;
- Balneo treatment.
How many and what procedures will be needed - the doctor decides.
Physiotherapy has an effective effect when it comes to the initial stages of pathology.But she, like other types of treatment, has contraindications.Therefore, appointing this method, the doctor takes into account many factors.
Medical gymnastics for lumbar osteochondrosis
The complex of physical exercises that can be shown with lumbar osteochondrosis is aimed at restoring the mobility of this spine.
The main condition for its effectiveness is regularity.Exercises performed from case to case will not bring the desired effect.
If the body already has complications caused by osteochondrosis, this method is not used.In addition, the 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 osteochondrosis of the lumbar
The surgical method is used in the presence of such severe complications as intervertebral hernia.A partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discoctomy) is carried out, as the operation protocol provides.
Indications for the operation are:
- a strong and steady pain syndrome, which for a month cannot be removed medication;
- Large sizes of the hernia and its effect on the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis is easier to warn than to treat.Like any pathology, it is potentially dangerous complications.It is important to understand that more or less complete getting rid of this pathology is possible in the earliest stages, when the deforming effect on the intervertebral discs is minimal.In other cases, we can only talk about removing the symptoms and maintaining the condition of the body that allows you to live normally and work.