In the case of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of the disease are further discussed, the person's mobility is restricted, the ability to lead a normal life is reduced. Almost half of all patients have complaints of pain in this part of the back. According to Poll Options Are's results, lumbar osteochondrosis ranks second after respiratory diseases.
If until recently the age-related degenerative processes were considered to be the main cause of the pathology, now much more factors that cause the disease have been clarified. Before starting therapy, you need to know what is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
The disease is a pathological change in the intervertebral discs, which is accompanied by dystrophy of the ligaments and destruction of the vertebral bodies themselves. It is the lumbar region that suffers the most as it experiences tremendous stress when lifting weights in a sitting position.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are increasingly manifesting in young people who are barely 30 years old. It is impossible to start the disease, since complications are fraught with disability and paralysis of the lower extremities.
Main symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis is a deforming pathology that, in most cases, is a natural aging process. High levels of physical activity on the spine, metabolic disorders, abuse of harmful products and alcohol all accelerate this process.
The first signs of pathology do not appear immediately, so therapy does not always start on time. With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms are as follows:
- Pain is more painful in the first stages and is acute in 2-3 stages of the development of the disease (with sudden movements, the discomfort becomes stronger and disappears during bed rest).
- With osteochondrosis, feelings of weakness appear in the legs (tendon reflexes are lost in the lower extremities, which can be clearly seen in neurological tests).
- curvature of the lumbar part;
- Injury to urinating and bowel movements (depending on where the spinal cord has been pinched).
Additional symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis can also be noted: a feeling of numbness in the lower back, dryness and peeling of the skin, a change in its shade (it turns blue). Sweating increases in the area of the buttocks. Erectile dysfunction is one of the signs of osteochondrosis in men in the lumbar spine.
With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms vary in severity. Some manifestations can be combined into syndromes.
| Syndrome | Characteristic |
| Ischemic | This is where signs of lumbar osteochondrosis appear due to damage to blood vessels. The arteries begin to cramp (the process becomes permanent over time). This condition is characterized by pain in the muscles of the lower leg and thighs when walking. If the blood vessels are pinched and cramped for a long time, the nutrition of the pelvic organs is just as disturbed as their functionality. In women, the pathology causes problems with the menstrual cycle, the ability to conceive, urination |
| vertebral bodies | It is characterized by pain of varying intensity and localization. It arises after the load on the lumbar spine: tilting, lifting heavy objects. When a herniated disc occurs, the person may lose tenderness in the legs. In this case, changes occur in the spine: changes in posture, the person slouches, the gait becomes problematic |
| radicular | The vertebrae become unstable and compress not only the nerve roots but also the blood vessels. A symptom of the syndrome is pain where the ends become pinched. Unpleasant sensations spread to the buttocks and legs. A person has an increase in muscle tone, he is forced to change his gait. Without treatment for osteochondrosis, the nerve roots become inflamed. This condition is accompanied by edema of the body tissue surrounding the spine. The blood begins to stagnate, the process of poisoning begins. With radicular syndrome, pain is observed in other joints. In addition to these symptoms, the lower back (lower back) feels "scary". In particularly difficult cases, patients can no longer move independently |
People suffering from osteochondrosis of the lumbar part of the back need to undergo a full examination to find out how severe the disease is and to determine the regimen of therapy.
Degree of lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis develops gradually. There are such stages of the progression of pathology:
- First. In this case, the nucleus pulposus, located inside the disc, begins to move and change. Cracks appear on the fiber ring. The nerve roots are irritated, which is signaled by back pain. At this stage of osteochondrosis, the symptoms are still local in nature, meaning that the symptoms can only be felt in the area of the damaged disc. Sometimes it's lumbago, but in the early stages of development there is often a constant dull ache. The discomfort with osteochondrosis increases after the load on the lumbar spine.
- Second. This is where the fiber ring is destroyed. The mobility of the damaged vertebrae increases as the muscle tissue becomes tense. The distance between them decreases, they can move relative to each other. It becomes more difficult for a person to move because they tire quickly and feel badly uncomfortable in the lumbar region. The pain spreads to the thighs, legs, and buttocks. The person sweats more.
- Third. At this stage of the disease, the pain increases many times because the fiber ring tears. In this case, the nucleus pulposus leaves its place and an inguinal hernia is formed. The patient feels acute pain and lumbago when tissues and nerve roots are compressed. The discomfort becomes constant and unbearable. The work of the internal organs is disturbed.
- Fourth. There is a deformation of the spine. It is very difficult for a person to move, but the symptom of pain becomes less pronounced. This does not mean at all that the pathology is no longer developing. This condition is a signal that a person will soon be sitting in a wheelchair. In addition, osteophytes grow in the area of the damaged intervertebral disc, making the condition even worse and causing the muscles to atrophy.
If the development of the disease is not controlled and therapy is not started on time, the vertebrae will simply collapse and restore without a risky and difficult surgery not working.
What to do if the disease worsens?
Lumbar osteochondrosis is a difficult disease that is better not to be brought to the last stage. It quickly becomes chronic, since even the most effective treatment can only stop or slow the development of the pathology.
If there is severe pain in the back area, and a person is unable to move normally, this indicates a deterioration in the pathological process. Most often it occurs in patients who do not follow the recommendations of doctors. When an exacerbation has occurred, a person should follow these rules:
- It is better to completely give up physical activity for the time it takes to restore normal body functionality. It is better to lie in a comfortable position that does not cause discomfort. It is good if the patient uses a hard mattress, because in this case the body (especially the lumbar spine) does not sag.
- A semi-rigid corset can be used to minimize stress on the back. It will limit sudden movements.
- To reduce the severity of the pain in osteochondrosis, you need to slowly bend your leg at the knee on the affected side. This will help relieve muscle tension and pinched nerve tissue.
- In difficult cases, the applicator can be used, but it must be used with caution. The procedure is performed twice a day for 30 minutes.
- After a massage, which gradually restores normal blood circulation and muscle tone, you should use an anti-inflammatory ointment.
It is impossible to warm up the affected area on the first day after the onset of an exacerbation. Dry heat is not applied until day two, when the peak of pain is over. Otherwise, tissue edema will increase, and the condition of the patient with osteochondrosis will worsen.
Disease diagnostics
Lumbar osteochondrosis requires a serious approach and complex therapy. It will be easier for the patient if they take the right medication and do the exercises prescribed by the doctor. To choose a therapy regimen, it is necessary to examine the patient. The following diagnostic methods should be highlighted:
- X-ray. When the lumbar joints are affected, radiographic assessment is considered the most important. The picture is recorded in several projections. On it you can see the damage to the intervertebral discs, the condition of the spinal canal. Each projection must be perpendicular to the previous one.
- MRI or CT. The presented methods help to identify more precisely which factors triggered the development of osteochondrosis, in what condition not only the vertebrae, but also soft tissues, blood vessels and nerve endings are. At the same time, the person does not feel uncomfortable.
- External examination with palpation of the damaged area and neurological tests.
Only a thorough diagnosis can tell whether a person will actually develop osteochondrosis.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
If the therapy of lumbar osteochondrosis is not carried out, the patient develops complications such as protrusion, spondyloarthrosis, hernia, inflammation of the sciatic nerve, narrowing of the spinal canal and dysfunction of the pelvic organs. The person also begins to limp, has paresis and paralysis of the legs.
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine has several tasks. First, it is necessary to get rid of the inflammation that causes pain in this disease. Of course, you need to stop the unpleasant symptoms yourself and strengthen the muscle corset in the lumbar spine and lower extremities.
The therapy should relieve swelling and soft tissue spasms. The patient is prescribed means and procedures designed to improve the functionality of organs, regulate blood flow, restore metabolic processes in the body and expand the range of motion. Since lumbar spine osteochondrosis is treated by patients for a long time, it is necessary to choose the methods that will have a good effect and cause a minimum of harm. Medications, alternative treatments, physical therapy, LF, and other methods are used.
surgery
In advanced cases, when the development of the disease has reached the final stage, lumbar osteochondrosis requires surgical intervention. The help of a surgeon is required with complications that affect the functionality of the organs, a vertebral fracture. Emergency surgery is performed when there is a risk of lower extremity paralysis.
The most effective intervention is to remove the damaged hard drive. The microsurgical method of treating osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with an endoscope is also widely used. This procedure is less traumatic for the patient and allows them to recover in the shortest possible time.
Physiotherapy
With lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms (they are treated in different ways) can be eliminated with the help of physiotherapy procedures. Useful:
- diadynamic currents;
- electrophoresis and phonophoresis;
- magnetic field therapy;
- laser treatment.
Physiotherapy procedures offer the maximum benefit in combination therapy in combination with medication.
Physiotherapy exercises
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is ineffective without performing a complex of exercise therapies prescribed by a doctor. All exercises aim to improve the mobility of the lower back, strengthen the muscular corset and increase the stability of the spine. The complex must be done regularly.
The doctor usually prescribes the following exercises: bending in different directions, standing, walking back and forth on all fours, tensioning the abdominal muscles in the supine position.
Massage
It can only be performed after the exacerbation has been resolved or during remission. Thanks to the procedure, you can not only relax spasmodic muscles, but also strengthen them. The massage is more effective after the bath. It should be done by a specialist who uses the correct techniques: stroking, rubbing. The procedure should not be performed if there are open wounds on the back or if the person is diagnosed with dermatological conditions or problems with blood circulation.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy solves the same tasks as massage, but uses slightly different techniques. You can't trust your spine to an amateur. The procedure requires an experienced specialist who will not cause harm.
Medicines
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, medication cannot be avoided. The choice depends on the general condition of the body and the stage of development of the disease. The most effective groups of medicines to combat osteochondrosis are:
analgesics.
- NSAIDs - These drugs eliminate the inflammation itself and the pain that comes with it. They relieve swelling, normalize body temperature.
- muscle relaxants - These drugs are prescribed by a doctor and are only used when NSAIDs have failed. Muscle relaxants relieve muscle spasms.
- Chondroprotectors - They keep the cartilage in good condition without it collapsing. However, they are only effective if this layer is not completely deleted.
- steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. They are appointed last in the most advanced cases.
- Multivitamins and B vitamins - the preparations presented help improve the functionality of the NS.
- antidepressants (to restore the patient's emotional background).
- Novocaine blockade with hydrocortisone. You're right in the part of your back where the pain originated. Blockages are rarely done because they can cause muscle atrophy.
- Preparations to improve blood circulation and microcirculation.
Topical drugs - ointments - have good effectiveness and a minimum of side effects. If the patient uses folk remedies for therapy, then it is necessary to continue taking the drugs.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be prevented if you follow simple prevention rules:
- Avoid hypothermia and infection;
- Do not lift heavy objects.
- bags that must be carried alternately on both shoulders;
- follow the drinking regime and eat right;
- Keep your body weight within normal limits.
- timely treatment of congenital or acquired skeletal pathologies;
- go swimming, get more exercise, do a lumbar gymnastic complex every day;
- is regularly examined by a doctor.
Providing basic care for your own health will help prevent complications of lumbar osteochondrosis, and there are many of them and they are difficult to manage.