Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which are diverse, is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
This condition is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, which over time spread to the ligaments and bone tissue of the vertebrae of the lumbosacral spine.An acute process inevitably becomes chronic without therapy.
A degenerative disease can turn a healthy person into a disabled person.
Degrees of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is divided into 4 degrees.The course of the disease is as follows:
First degree.In the inner part of the fibrous ring, damage is formed in the form of cracks, into which the contents of the nucleus pulposus penetrate, causing irritation.This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis.The deformation of the intervertebral discs is minimal and causes reflex pain during sudden movements and when lifting heavy objects.Unpleasant sensations in the lower spine can be moderate and manifest themselves:
- Lumbodynia – local, persistent pain in the lumbar spine;
- Lumbago – sudden painful “shooting” in the lower back.
Second degree.Destructive processes in the fiber ring continue.The distance from one vertebra to the other decreases, which leads to compression of the nerve fibers.There are complaints in the lower third of the back, which at times develop into pain attacks.
Third degree.During this time, the final destruction of the fibrous ring occurs with the extrusion of the nucleus pulposus.Vessels and nerve endings are compressed by intervertebral discs.An intervertebral fracture occurs.The spine curves and forms:
- Lordosis - an arched deformity in the lumbar region with anterior convexity of the spine;
- Kyphosis – a position opposite to lordosis, in which the arch forms outwards;
- Scoliosis is a pathological curvature of the spine to the right or left.
Final conclusionOsteochondrosis is considered the most severe and dangerous.At this point, the spine is already deformed, normal motor activity is lost.X-rays show bone growth in the lumbar spine - a reaction of the body.There may be no pain for some time, but this does not mean improvement.People suffering from stage 4 osteochondrosis of the sacrolumbar region often become disabled.The reason is that the process is complicated at this stage.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The causes of lumbar osteochondrosis include:
- Disproportionate stress on the spine.Humans are upright creatures, so the strain on the spine when standing is considered normal.When performing various actions, you need to move, bend and bend.In order to keep the body in the desired condition, the musculoskeletal system is in a state of constant tension.In a sitting position, the load on the spine increases, while in a supine position it becomes minimal.When a person remains in one position for a long time, the lumbar and sacral spine are overloaded and the muscles do not rest, which initially causes discomfort and then pain.This deforming factor creates the conditions for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Sedentary lifestyle.It contributes to the development of various pathologies, including those affecting the vertebral structures.Prolonged sitting leads to deformation of cartilage tissue and a decrease in muscle tone, which leads to the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Excessive physical activity.Both the lack of active physical activity and its excess do not bring anything good for the musculoskeletal system.Long, heavy work, especially lifting and carrying heavy objects, causes overuse of the back muscles and leads to the development of spinal hernias.
- Postural disorders.Deformation of the discs between the vertebrae can also be caused by improper walking.The reason, again, is the uneven load on the spine.Intervertebral discs lose elasticity and mobility and are therefore more susceptible to damage.Older people are increasingly suffering from similar problems more often than others.
- Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, injuries and infectious lesions.Osteochondrosis is often a consequence of diseases of the musculoskeletal system that were present at birth.For example, if the body's cartilage tissue is naturally fragile.In addition, spinal pathologies develop after traumatic injuries and infectious processes, such as osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
- Flat feet.Signs of a “special” foot include the absence of a notch and drooping arches.Those who have this function often struggle with spinal problems.This is due to the increased load on the intervertebral discs when walking.Over the course of life, they are exposed to increased physical stress when moving and therefore wear out quickly
- Obesity.Obesity is a problem and an additional burden on the body.All organs and systems suffer from this, including the spine.
- Pathological processes.Malfunctions of various structures can affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system.Therefore, factors provoking osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and malfunctions of the digestive system.
- Wrong lifestyle.Many people do not pay enough attention to such simple and important things as physical activity, a balanced diet and normal sleep.An organism that is under stress for a long time becomes weakened and vulnerable.Other pathologies that can arise in such “fertile” soil include lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Pathological changes in the lumbar spine are manifested by severe symptoms;
- Lower back painis the most noticeable “signal” of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.She speaks of the presence of “radicular syndrome”, in which compression of the nerve endings of the spine causes pain in the lumbar region.The person becomes tired and irritable.Over time, performing simple and familiar actions due to lumbar pain becomes a major problem.If an intervertebral fracture has formed in the lumbar region, the pain radiates to the lower leg, the back of the thigh and the foot.Over time, sitting and walking become more and more difficult.The unpleasant sensations do not disappear even when lying down.Temporary relief may alternate with periods of exacerbation.;
- Dysfunction of the genitourinary system.They manifest themselves as pain in the kidney area and frequent urge to urinate.Deformation of the intervertebral discs leads to a displacement of the lumbar spine relative to the sacrum.This impairs the functioning of the internal reproductive organs in women and leads to potency problems in men;
- reduced sensitivity of the legs in the foot area.It can be either partial or absolute.At the same time, the reflexes of this part of the body are weakened.The progressive pathology leads to a complete loss of sensation in the lower extremities;
- Gait disorders.Pain in the lumbar region with osteochondrosis causes a person to deviate when walking in the opposite direction to the place where the nerve fibers are pinched.The condition does not allow long walking distances.A limping person needs to stop from time to time and wait for the pain to subside.Timely medical assistance can save a person from disability.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Many people wonder whether lumbar osteochondrosis can be treated and how it occurs.When the diagnosis is made and the diagnosis is made, therapeutic tactics are determined.
There are various methods of treating lumbar osteochondrosis.The doctor decides which of them are necessary and advisable to cure an illness or alleviate a person's condition as much as possible.
Someone treats themselves at home exclusively with folk remedies, forgetting that they can only be used with the consent of a specialist and only as part of complex therapy.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis
Drug therapy includes the use of:
- tablet forms;
- solutions for injection;
- Preparations for external use – ointments and gels.
To eliminate inflammation and relieve pain in the lumbar region, medications are prescribed.They can be used at home.
These could be:
- analgesics;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- medicines for muscle spasms (muscle relaxants);
- Means for restoring cartilage tissue (chondroprotectors);
- Corticosteroids (hormone-containing medicines whose action is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation)
- Vitamins.
The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor, who, as additional treatment, sometimes prescribes pills or medications that calm the nervous system.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Another common method of relieving the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is physical therapy.The effect on the spine and lower back promotes metabolic and restorative processes.
Most commonly prescribed:
- magnetic, laser and electrotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- shock wave method;
- detensor therapy;
- vibration massage;
- Balneotherapy.
The doctor decides how many and which interventions are necessary.
Physiotherapy is effective when it comes to the initial stages of pathology.But, as with other types of treatment, there are contraindications.Therefore, the doctor takes many factors into account when prescribing this method.
Therapeutic exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis
A number of physical exercises that may be indicated for lumbar osteochondrosis are aimed at restoring mobility to this part of the spine.
Regularity is considered the main requirement for its effectiveness.Exercises performed occasionally do not produce the desired effect.
If the body already has complications from osteochondrosis, this method is not used.In addition, contraindications to use include serious diseases of other organs and systems, as well as the presence of pain in the pelvic area and above.
Surgical intervention for lumbar osteochondrosis
The surgical method is used for serious complications such as an intervertebral fracture.Partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is carried out as specified in the surgical protocol.
Indications for surgery are:
- severe and persistent pain that cannot be relieved with medication for a month;
- large size of the hernia and its impact on the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to treat.Like any pathology, it is potentially dangerous and can lead to serious complications.It is important to understand that more or less complete relief 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 relieving symptoms and maintaining a state of the body that allows normal life and work.