Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs are subject to degenerative disorders and, with them, the joints.The interval between them is reduced, as a result of which the nerve endings and roots are compressed, which leads to the formation of severe pain.Pathological changes often occur in the lumbar region.
Your doctor will tell you how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, as self-medication can only worsen the condition.The difficulty lies in the fact that the symptoms of osteochondrosis can also manifest themselves in other diseases, the treatment of which has fundamental differences.
Basic information about the disease
Not everyone knows what osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is.To understand the essence of the disease, it is necessary to delve into the anatomy.
The vertebra is a solid, dense cylinder-shaped structure with an arch from which the processes extend.The vertebral body is attached to them using arches, and in the middle there is a vertebral foramen.It is these openings that form the spinal canal.
Not all processes participate in the formation of joints, but only the upper and lower ones, in which small rocking movements are possible.Between the vertebrae there are openings limited by processes;It is through them that the nerve roots of the spinal nerves emerge.
Pathological changes first appear in the nucleus pulposus (a semi-fluid structure with a gelatinous center at the opening of the disc).The nucleus pulposus has maximum elasticity and is the main shock absorber.And then the pathological process develops in the joints of the vertebrae, leading to the narrowing of the intervertebral foramina.
The sacrum is a large triangle-shaped bone located at the base of the spine.It consists of five fused vertebrae with anterior and posterior surfaces.There are no discs in this section and osteochondrosis does not develop.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is often diagnosed in people after 30 years of age.The degenerative process occurs after a disruption of water-salt metabolism in the disc.As a result, the bone structure becomes thinner and more fragile.The nucleus pulposus expands its limits and moves towards the spinal canal.As a result, the fluid inside the canal and nerves is compressed and swelling occurs.This causes painful sensations and dysfunction of the organs to which these areas belong.
Due to compression, bone cells divide more quickly and osteophytes (abnormal growths) appear on the vertebrae.Disc regeneration is impossible, as it is cartilage and, therefore, the functionality of the organs is further impaired.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of which will be described later, often occurs due to weakening of the muscular corset, and therefore it is so important to train the muscles of the abdomen, sides and back.
Many people wonder whether osteochondrosis can be treated or not.This disease is easier to eliminate at an early stage.
Degrees of the disease
Sacral osteochondrosis progresses gradually.
There are 4 stages of the disease:
- 1st degreecharacterized by the manifestation of mild painful sensations that intensify after physical activity.There is often a dull pain that radiates to the buttocks;
- Step 2.The gap between the vertebrae decreases and they begin to collapse along with nearby tissues.At the same time, nerve endings are compressed.Intervertebral osteochondrosis causes acute, radiating pain.Painful sensations force a person to lean forward.This causes displacement and stretching of the intervertebral discs;
- Step 3osteochondrosis of the lower spine is manifested by the complete destruction of the vertebrae and the manifestation of an intervertebral hernia;
- Step 4.The vertebrae grow, the cartilage atrophies and therefore makes it difficult for the patient to move.The spine in the lumbosacral region loses flexibility, becomes less mobile and the patient often becomes disabled.
It is important to monitor your health and begin treatment if the symptoms described above appear.
Causes of the disease
Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs due to constant and uneven load on the lower back.Sometimes the causes of the disease are autoimmune in nature.In some cases, the disease is preceded by injury, especially if several vertebrae are affected.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- The disease develops due to intense stress.People who constantly perform heavy physical work suffer more often.
- Lower back pain is caused by being overweight.And this happens because the spine in the lumbosacral region is subject to constant pressure.
- Due to low physical activity, bone tissue nutrition deteriorates, blood flow decreases and muscles weaken.
- Osteochondrosis of the lower back, the causes of which vary, often develops due to incorrect posture.If a person slouches while sitting, the discs are deformed and worn out in advance, and all this is due to the uneven load.
- Osteochondrosis often occurs as a result of back injuries.Which can be harmed during training if the level of sports training is low.To avoid problems, it is important to learn how to lift heavy objects correctly.You can hurt your back when you fall.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a natural result of the aging of the body and the decrease in its ability to recover.As a result, the mobility of the discs decreases, they lose flexibility and therefore become deformed.
- This disease usually occurs due to rheumatoid arthritis, scoliosis and so on.
In rare cases, osteochondrosis appears due to hypothermia, severe depression, poor nutrition, chronic fatigue and poor environmental conditions.
Symptoms
Signs of osteochondrosis in women and men are very similar.The only difference is that in half of humanity the disease manifests itself earlier.At the initial stage, the disease does not manifest itself in any way, the person, without guessing anything, continues to live a full life.However, there are symptoms that can lead you to make the right decision, which consists of a full diagnosis and a doctor's consultation.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:
- Lower back pain.At first, painful sensations appear after exercise and, as the disease progresses, they become permanent.
- In lumbar osteochondrosis, mobility in the affected area decreases.When the patient tries to bend, turn or sit, there is a strong radiating pain that spreads down the leg to the foot.
- When the nerves are compressed, the sensitivity of the legs changes (increases or decreases).Sometimes there is a burning sensation or numbness in the limb.
- The skin in the affected area becomes pale, dry and the temperature decreases.
- Sweating increases, especially at night.
- With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the functioning of the genitourinary organs is disturbed.
These are the main signs of lumbar osteochondrosis.
The disease is chronic, but can get worse.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in acute and subacute forms:
- low back pain – pain occurs after muscle tension.Due to muscle spasm, the patient leans forward;
- during exacerbation, pain appears even after slight movements.Painful sensations sharply increase and radiate to the buttocks or legs.The patient's condition is alleviated when he lies on his back and bends the affected limb at the knee.After a few weeks, these signs of lumbar osteochondrosis gradually disappear, motor activity is restored and the muscles relax;
- The subacute phase of the disease is characterized by dull, aching and radiating pain.
If a person notices such manifestations, it is worth consulting a doctor.
Diagnostic measures
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine should begin after a complete diagnosis.
First, a neurologist or vertebrologist performs a visual examination based on the patient's complaints and palpates the affected area of the body.If the patient feels pain when palpating certain points, the range of movement of the legs has decreased or the buttocks are positioned asymmetrically, the diagnosis is confirmed.Additionally, the doctor assesses the patient's posture.
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are described above, can be identified using the following studies:
- X-rays will once again confirm the diagnosis.This method cannot assess the condition of the spine.The images only show a narrowing of the openings between the vertebrae and the growth of osteophytes.
- A CT scan of the lower back will make it possible to establish a diagnosis and view the affected area on a computer monitor from a different angle or section.However, the technique is effective in diagnosing bone structures;for soft tissue formations, including vertebral discs, it is recommended to use MRI.
- MRI of the spine shows a complete picture of the condition of bone tissue and soft structures in the lumbosacral region.
After carrying out the above studies, you can start treating lumbar osteochondrosis.
Treatment methods
Many patients are interested in whether it is possible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.The answer, unfortunately, will be negative.If you start treatment at the first or second stage of the disease, you can stop its development.
Thus, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a long and complex process that helps to achieve the following goals:
- relieve pain;
- eliminate spasm;
- strengthen the muscles of the abdomen, back, sides, buttocks and legs;
- restore blood flow and metabolism in the affected area;
- eliminate inflammation;
- restore the motor function of the lumbar region;
- normalize sensitivity in the legs;
- improve the functionality of the pelvic organs.
Conservative treatment
The process of treating osteochondrosis begins with the use of various medications.They are only prescribed by a doctor, as self-medication can have negative consequences.The doctor can use several groups of medicines, only in this case a positive result can be expected.
For these purposes, medicines are used:
- Analgesics, which are used to relieve discomfort;
- With the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, root pain and swelling are eliminated.Medicines with steroid hormones are also prescribed for osteochondrosis.Relieve or completely eliminate inflammation;
- How to treat lumbar osteochondrosis in later stages is of interest to many patients.Paraspinal blocks are used to relieve pain.To do this, painkillers are injected into the lower back;
- With the help of muscle relaxants you can get rid of muscle cramps;
- To restore cartilage metabolism, start regeneration processes and stop dystrophic changes, the attending physician prescribes chondroprotectors;
- Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is carried out with B vitamins. They improve metabolism in cells, eliminate inflammation, remove excess fluid;
- With the help of diuretic medications, swelling is eliminated;
- Immunomodulatory medications strengthen the immune system;
- To improve blood flow in the affected area, the doctor prescribes medications that reduce blood viscosity.Medications are injected into a vein through a dropper or in tablet form.
Physiotherapy
The use of physiotherapy can bring success in the treatment of osteochondrosis.There are many techniques that can be used;your doctor will help you choose the ideal one if there are no contraindications.Physiotherapy relieves pain, relieves muscle spasms and activates metabolic and recovery processes.
To resolve these problems, the following procedures are prescribed:
- amplipulseThe affected area is exposed to sinusoidal modular currents;
- sonophoresis– simultaneous exposure to ultrasound and medications;
- diadynamic therapy– treatment with low voltage electric current;
- Darsonvalization.The damaged area is exposed to low-intensity alternating current, but with high frequency and voltage;
- inductothermy– treatment with high frequency magnetic fields;
- laser therapy– treatment with optical radiation from a laser.
The therapeutic effect of these procedures can hardly be overestimated.
If you want to know how to get rid of pain, strengthen your muscles, relax, then it must be said that this can be done with the help of physiotherapy.Reflexology and massage will only increase the effectiveness of the therapy.Massage and gymnastics techniques are carried out outside the period of inflammation, otherwise the disease will worsen.It is useful to swim, as well as do gymnastics in the water, in which case the load on the spine will be minimal.
Surgical treatment
Surgery is a measure of last resort, which is only performed if previous methods have been ineffective and the disease has progressed so much that it is only then possible to help the patient return to activity.The intervention is carried out in cases of significant motor disorders and the presence of intervertebral hernias.Therefore, it is better not to know how to surgically cure lumbar osteochondrosis, as it is considered the most radical.
The surgeon removes herniated discs and strengthens vertebrae that have become misaligned.The doctor can also perform a spinal fusion operation, the essence of which is that a section of the spine is completely immobilized using a special metal frame.This is followed by long-term rehabilitation.
Special instructions
If lumbosacral osteochondrosis is not treated, the sciatic nerve can become inflamed, which can cause severe pain.To reduce discomfort, the person leans forward, but as a result, the condition of the spine in the injured area only worsens.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the symptoms of which can be different, threatens vertebral instability.The disc cannot hold the vertebra and the lower back is displaced from the sacrum due to compression.In this regard, the functionality of the genitourinary organs is impaired.
To avoid complications, you must adhere to the following rules:
- avoid intense physical activities;
- strengthen the muscular corset;
- maintain correct posture;
- exercise daily;
- establish nutrition, maintain the balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
- adhere to the ideal rest regime;
- treat back diseases in the early stages.
You should also not self-medicate - then the disease will disappear as quickly as possible.It will be useful to wear a corset, which will ease the load on the lumbar spine.