Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs are subject to degenerative disorders, and along with them the joints.The interval between them decreases, due to which the nerve endings and roots are compressed, which leads to the creation of severe pain.Pathological changes often occur in the lumbar region.
Your doctor will tell you how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, because self-medication can only make the condition worse.The difficulty lies in the fact that 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.In order to understand the essence of the disease, it is necessary to get into the anatomy.
A vertebra is a solid, dense cylinder-shaped structure with an arch from which the processes extend.The body of the vertebrae is attached to them by arches, and in the middle is the 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 bounded by processes;the nerve roots of the spinal nerves exit through them.
Pathological changes first appear in the nucleus pulposus (a semi-fluid structure with a gelatinous center at the opening of the disc).Nucleus pulposus has maximum elasticity and is the main shock absorber.And then the pathological process develops in the joints of the vertebrae, which leads to the narrowing of the intervertebral openings.
The sacrum is a large, triangular bone located at the base of the spine.It consists of five vertebrae that are connected to each other and has a front and a back surface.There are no discs in this part, and osteochondrosis does not develop.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is often diagnosed in people after 30 years.The degenerative process occurs after the disruption of water and salt metabolism in the disc.As a result, the bone structure becomes thinner and more fragile.Nucleus pulposus expands its boundaries and moves towards the spinal canal.As a result, the fluid inside the canals 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 faster and osteophytes (abnormal growths) appear on the vertebrae.Regeneration of the disc is impossible, because it is cartilage, so the functionality of the organ is even more impaired.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of which will be described further, often occurs due to a weakening of the muscle 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.It is easiest to eliminate this disease at an early stage.
Degrees of disease
Sacral osteochondrosis progresses gradually.
There are 4 stages of the disease:
- 1st degreeit is characterized by the manifestation of mild painful sensations that intensify after physical activity.There is often a dull ache that radiates into the buttock;
- Phase 2.The space between the vertebrae decreases and they begin to collapse along with the surrounding tissues.At the same time, nerve endings are compressed.Intervertebral osteochondrosis causes sharp, radiating pain.Painful sensations make a person lean forward.This causes the intervertebral discs to move and stretch;
- Phase 3osteochondrosis of the lower part of the spine is manifested by the complete destruction of the vertebrae and the manifestation of intervertebral hernia;
- Phase 4.The vertebrae grow, the cartilage atrophies, and because of this, it is difficult for the patient to move.The spine in the lumbosacral region loses flexibility, becomes less mobile, and often the patient becomes disabled.
It is important to monitor your health and begin treatment if the symptoms described above appear.
Causes of 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 an injury, especially if several vertebrae are affected.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- The disease develops due to severe stress.People who constantly engage in heavy physical labor suffer more often.
- Lower back pain is caused by excess weight.And this happens because the spinal column in the lumbosacral area is subject to constant pressure.
- Due to low physical activity, the nutrition of bone tissue deteriorates, blood flow slows down, and muscles weaken.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the causes of which vary, often develops due to incorrect posture.If a person slouches while sitting, the discs are deformed and wear out prematurely, and all this is due to uneven loading.
- Osteochondrosis often occurs as a result of back injuries.Which can be damaged 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 injure your back when you fall.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a natural consequence of the aging of the body and the reduction of its ability to recover.As a result, the mobility of the discs decreases, they lose flexibility and therefore become deformed.
- This disease often occurs due to rheumatoid arthritis, scoliosis, and so on.
In rare cases, osteochondrosis occurs due to hypothermia, severe depression, poor nutrition, chronic fatigue and poor environmental conditions.
Symptoms
The signs of osteochondrosis in women and men are very similar.The only difference is that in the fair half of humanity the disease manifests itself earlier.At an early stage, the disease does not manifest itself in any way, the person, without guessing about anything, continues to live a full life.However, there are symptoms that can prompt you to make the right decision, which consists of a full diagnosis and seeing a doctor.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:
- Pain in the lower back.At first, painful sensations appear after exercise, and as the disease develops, they become permanent.
- In lumbar osteochondrosis, mobility in the affected area decreases.When the patient tries to bend down, turn or sit down, there is a strong radiating pain that spreads down the leg to the foot.
- When the nerves are pinched, the sensitivity of the legs changes (increases or decreases).Sometimes there is a burning sensation or numbness of the extremities.
- The skin on the affected area becomes pale, dry, and the temperature decreases.
- Sweating increases, especially at night.
- In 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 it can get worse.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in acute and subacute forms:
- lumbago – pain occurs after muscle tension.Due to muscle spasm, the patient leans forward;
- during an exacerbation, pain appears even after a slight movement.Painful sensations increase suddenly and radiate to the buttocks or leg.The patient's condition is relieved when he lies on his back and bends the affected extremity at the knee.After a few weeks, these signs of lumbar osteochondrosis gradually disappear, motor activity is restored, and muscles relax;
- The subacute phase of the disease is characterized by dull, aching, radiating pain.
If a person notices such manifestations, then it is worth visiting a doctor.
Diagnostic measures
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine should be started after a detailed diagnosis.
First, a neurologist or vertebrologist conducts 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 motion of the legs is reduced or the buttocks are placed asymmetrically, then the diagnosis is confirmed.In addition, the doctor assesses the patient's posture.
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are described above, can be identified using the following studies:
- An X-ray will once again confirm the diagnosis.This method cannot assess the condition of the spine.The pictures show only the narrowing of the opening between the vertebrae and the growth of osteophytes.
- Computed tomography of the lower back will allow diagnosis and examination of the affected area on a computer monitor from another angle or section.However, the technique is effective in diagnosing bony structures;for soft tissue formations, including vertebral discs, the use of magnetic resonance imaging is recommended.
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine provides a complete picture of the state of bone tissue and soft structures in the lumbosacral region.
After carrying out the above mentioned studies, you can start the treatment of 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 in 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 achieve the following goals:
- relieve pain;
- eliminate spasm;
- strengthen the muscles of the abdomen, back, hips, buttocks and legs;
- restore blood flow and metabolism in the affected area;
- eliminate inflammation;
- restore the motor function of the lower back;
- 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 drugs.They are prescribed only by a doctor, because self-medication can have negative consequences.The doctor can use several groups of drugs, only in that case a positive result can be expected.
Medicines are used for these purposes:
- Painkillers, used to relieve discomfort;
- Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs removes radicular pain and swelling.Medicines with steroid hormones are also prescribed for osteochondrosis.They alleviate or completely remove inflammation;
- Many patients are interested in how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis in the later stages.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 spasms;
- In order to restore the metabolism in the cartilage, start regeneration processes and stop dystrophic changes, the doctor prescribes chondroprotectors;
- Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is carried out with B vitamins. They improve cell metabolism, remove inflammation, remove excess fluid;
- With the help of diuretic drugs, swelling is eliminated;
- Immunomodulatory drugs strengthen the immune system;
- In order to improve blood flow in the affected area, the doctor prescribes drugs that reduce blood viscosity.Medicines are injected into a vein using a dropper or taken 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 optimal one if there are no contraindications.Physiotherapy relieves pain, relieves muscle spasms and activates metabolic and recovery processes.
The following procedures are prescribed to solve these problems:
- amplipulseThe affected area is exposed to sinusoidal modular currents;
- sonophoresis– simultaneous exposure to ultrasound and drugs;
- diadynamic therapy– treatment with low voltage electric current;
- Darsonvalization.The damaged area is exposed to alternating current of low power, but high frequency and voltage;
- inductothermy– treatment with high-frequency magnetic fields;
- laser therapy– treatment with optical radiation coming from a laser.
The therapeutic effect of these procedures is difficult to overestimate.
If you want to know how to get rid of pain, strengthen muscles, relax, then it should be said that it can be done with the help of physical therapy.Reflexology and massage will only increase the effectiveness of the therapy.Massage techniques and gymnastics are performed outside the period of inflammation, otherwise the disease will worsen.It is useful to engage in swimming, as well as to perform gymnastics in water, in which case the load on the spine will be minimal.
Surgical treatment
Surgery is a last resort, which is performed only if previous methods have been ineffective and the disease is so advanced that it is the only way to help the patient return to activities.The intervention is performed in cases of significant movement disorders and the presence of intervertebral hernias.Therefore, it is better not to know how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis surgically, because it is considered the most radical.
The surgeon removes the herniated discs between the discs and strengthens the vertebrae that have become misaligned.The doctor can also perform spinal fusion surgery, the essence of which is to completely immobilize part of the spine using a special metal structure.This is followed by long-term rehabilitation.
Special instructions
If lumbosacral osteochondrosis is not treated, inflammation of the sciatic nerve can occur, which can lead to intense pain.To reduce discomfort, a person leans forward, but because of this, the condition of the spine in the damaged area only worsens.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the symptoms of which can be different, threatens the instability of the vertebrae.The disc cannot hold the vertebra and the lumbar part is displaced from the sacrum due to compression.In this connection, the functionality of the genitourinary organs is impaired.
To prevent complications, you must adhere to the following rules:
- avoid intense physical activity;
- strengthen the muscular corset;
- maintain proper posture;
- exercise daily;
- establish a diet, maintain a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
- adhere to an optimal rest regime;
- treat back diseases in the early stages.
You should not even self-medicate - then the disease will disappear as soon as possible.It will be useful to wear a corset, which will relieve the load on the lumbar spine.