Lumbar spine osteochondrosis is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system. It is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes of the joint tissue and bone. Lumbar osteochondrosis implies that tissue damage has occurred precisely in the lumbar region and sacrum, so the patient will have corresponding symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine causes significant discomfort. It negatively affects the condition not only of the back, but also of the lower limbs. On how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, you need to see a specialist - a neurologist or traumatologist. This complex illness should not be treated on your own or on the advice of relatives and friends. Self-medication can only aggravate the process and cause even more damage to the spine.
High-quality treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out in the hospital. There are specialists who specialize in eliminating this problem.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: causes
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is considered a disease of the elderly. However, recently, 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 life and spend a lot of time on the computer. An additional factor is the constant stress that the young person experiences in the modern world. Combined with an inadequate diet, the predominance of fast food, this leads to a deterioration in the condition not only of the spine, but also of the entire organism.
Lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine is a type of pathology located 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 likelihood of developing osteochondrosis. These include:
- sedentary work;
- posture curvature;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excessive spinal stress (professional sports, regular weight lifting, heavy physical work);
- overweight;
- back injuries;
- age (over the years, the tissues of the spine undergo natural aging and thinning processes);
- inflammatory joint diseases (arthritis, arthrosis, scoliosis, etc. );
- diseases accompanied by metabolic disturbances;
- Unhealthy lifestyle;
- hereditary predisposition.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms
At an early stage, it is very difficult to identify lumbosacral osteochondrosis. The symptoms and treatment of the disease depend on the extent of damage to the spinal tissues. The signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine gradually appear, starting with a little discomfort and, in advanced cases, the onset of acute pain. It is impossible to delay treatment for lumbar osteochondrosis. With the development of the disease, the symptoms will only intensify, causing more discomfort to the person. In a severe acute period, it hurts for a person to even stand up, so it is necessary to treat lumbar osteochondrosis immediately. The symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the most striking pathological sign. They may gradually increase, getting stronger during movements (bending or weight lifting). As the disease progresses, the intensity of pain will increase and, during an attack of acute osteochondrosis, it will be unbearable;
- violation of the mobility of the lumbar spine. Pathological processes in the spine affect the ability to perform any movement through this department: it is difficult for a person to bend over, turn sideways, sit with an even back;
- disturbance of the lower extremities. There is violation of gait, numbness, tingling, "shivering" sensation, muscle weakness occurs in the legs;
- the paleness of the skin is noted, which is associated with the violation of the blood supply to the affected area;
- sexual dysfunction (possible in severe cases).
Lumbosacral spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and degrees
There are four degrees of development of lumbar osteochondrosis. Symptoms and treatment directly depend on the degrees of osteochondrosis: the intensity of the disease's manifestations increases with the progression of the dystrophic process, which is important to take into account when designing a therapeutic course.
Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is classified as follows:
- 1st degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine manifests as mild discomfort in the lumbar region. They can occur after strenuous physical exertion or a long day at work. A person may experience pain in the back or buttocks, as well as a tingling sensation in the lower back;
- 2nd degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is felt more pronounced. In grade 2, destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc begins. The distance between the vertebrae decreases or increases, and the intervertebral disc begins to extend beyond the vertebrae. There is compression of the spinal nerve roots, which is expressed in significant low back pain, which is reflected in the buttocks, thigh and leg. The person may also feel a burning or cold feeling in the lower back;
- Third-degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is characterized by the final destruction of the fibrous ring. The contents of the intervertebral disc come out - a hernia forms. The nerve roots are compressed with more force, an inflammatory process occurs, which is accompanied by strong constant pain in the lumbar region;
- 4th degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is accompanied by complete atrophy of the cartilage and pathological proliferation of the vertebrae. This is the body's compensatory reaction to the breach of the intervertebral disc. In this phase, the pain usually goes away, however, this indicator does not indicate an improvement in the condition. Vertebrae proliferation significantly impairs spinal mobility and can lead to disability.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of exacerbation
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be triggered by sudden movement, weight lifting, hypothermia. Acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis may gradually increase or appear suddenly. Most of the time, the exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by acute and intense pain. During an attack, muscle spasm occurs in the lumbar and thoracic spine, which interferes with the movement of the back to prevent increased pain. Pain in the acute period extends to the area of the buttocks and leg, which are communicated by nerve fibers with the affected area of the spine. A person is forced to assume a certain position and not change it (usually this is a horizontal position with a bent painful leg). Even minor movements, such as coughing, can cause a new bout of pain.
An exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, which should be started immediately, can last for several days or weeks (depending on how quickly the appropriate therapy is started). In a specialized hospital, acute osteochondrosis is treated immediately after the patient's treatment. The hospital's inpatient department is open 24 hours a day, so the patient can get help at any time. To relieve acute pain, blocks are performed - the introduction of an analgesic in the affected area, which contributes to a significant improvement in the condition. After elimination of the acute period, the main course of treatment is started.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and diagnosis
The treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis starts with the diagnosis. It is necessary to know if this is the true osteochondrosis and the scale of tissue damage. Lumbar osteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-rays. The image will clearly show the status 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 made at the hospital's diagnostic center, which has everything for an accurate diagnosis. An experienced team uses modern equipment, which allows the quick and correct identification of the patient's illness. The diagnostic results will determine how neurologists and physiotherapists will treat lumbar osteochondrosis.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medications
After diagnosis, each patient is interested in the question "How to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine? "The treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region 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 patient's individual characteristics. The symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine allow you to choose the optimal and most effective therapy.
Medical treatment for lumbar osteochondrosis includes several types of medications, each of which has its own function:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: relieve pain and inflammation;
- analgesics: relieve the intense pain that the previous group of medications cannot handle;
- muscle relaxants: relieve muscle spasm;
- chondroprotective: interrupt 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.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: treatment with physical therapy
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine includes a course of physical therapy. It is also an important part of treatment, as is drug therapy. Some patients are interested in how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine without physical therapy. However, only with the use of medication, it will not be possible to eliminate the disease. The medication will ease the pain, which will come back soon enough anyway.
At the hospital, physiotherapy for osteochondrosis is performed in the rehabilitation department by qualified specialists. The patient is prescribed a rehabilitation course, taking into account their abilities and needs. Physiotherapy includes:
- massage for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
- spine elongation;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- reflexology (acupuncture);
- hardware exposure methods (electrophoresis, amplicon, phonophoresis, etc. ).
Only with the application of a complex treatment can osteochondrosis be cured. Low back pain usually disappears a few days after starting therapy (depending on the degree of illness). However, this is no reason to discontinue treatment. To obtain the best result and exclude a rapid relapse of the pathology, it is necessary to take a complete course, which is 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 full life.