Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine - symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, whose symptoms and treatment are different, is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

This condition is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, spreading over time to the ligaments and bone tissue of the vertebrae of the lumbosacral spine. The acute process, in the absence of therapy, inevitably turns into a chronic one.

A degenerative disease can turn a healthy person into a person with a disability.

Degrees of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Classify 4 degrees of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region. The scheme of disease development is as follows:

First degree.In the inner part of the annular fibrosus, lesions form in the form of cracks, where the contents of the nucleus pulposus penetrate, causing irritation. This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis. The deformation of the intervertebral discs is barely pronounced and gives reflex pain with sudden movements and heavy lifting. Unpleasant sensations in the lower part of the spine can be mild and manifest:

• lumbodinia - local permanent pain in the lumbar spine;
• lumbago - a sudden painful "lumbago" in the lower back.

Second degree.Destructive processes in annular fibrosus continue. The distance from one vertebra to the other is reduced, which causes compression of the nerve fibers. Discomfort exists in the lower third of the back, which sometimes develops into attacks of pain.

Third degree.During this period, the annular destruction of the annular fibrosus occurs by squeezing out the nucleus pulposus. Vessels and nerve endings are compressed by intervertebral discs. An intervertebral hernia forms. The spine is curved, making:

• lordosis - arch deformity in the lumbar spine, with protrusion of the spine forward;
• kyphosis - position opposite to lordosis, when the arch is formed outwards;
• scoliosis - pathological bending of the spine to the right or left.

End-stage osteochondrosisis ​​considered the most severe and dangerous. At that time, the spine is already deformed, normal motor activity is lost. X-rays show bone growths in the lumbar spine - the body's response. The pain may go away for a while, but that doesn’t mean improvement. People who suffer from stage 4 osteochondrosis of the sacro-lumbar spine often become disabled. The reason is that at this stage the process is complicated.

Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis include:

1. Disproportionate load on the spine.Man is an upright creature, so in a standing position the load on the spine is considered normal. When performing various actions, you have to move, bend and bend. To keep the body in the desired state, the musculoskeletal system is in a mode of prolonged tension. In the sitting position, the load on the spine increases, and when it lies on its back, it becomes minimal. When a person is in one position for a long time, the lumbar and sacral parts of the spine are overloaded, and the muscles do not rest, from which there is first a feeling of discomfort, and then pain. This deforming factor creates the preconditions for the development of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
2. Sedentary lifestyle.Contributes to the development of various pathologies, including those affecting vertebral structures. Prolonged sitting causes deformation of cartilage tissue and reduction of muscle tone, which causes the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
3. Excessive physical exertion.Both the lack of strong physical activity and its excess do not bring anything good for the musculoskeletal system. Long, strenuous work, especially associated with lifting and carrying weights, leads to excessive strain on the back muscles and causes the formation of spinal hernias.
4. Posture disorders.Deformation of the discs between the vertebrae can also be caused by improper walking. The reason is again in the uneven load of the spinal column. Intervertebral discs lose elasticity, mobility, so they are more likely to be damaged. More than other older and older people suffer from similar problems.
5. Bone damage, hereditary pathology, trauma and infectious lesions.Often osteochondrosis is the result of disorders in the musculoskeletal system that were present at birth. For example, when the cartilaginous tissues of the body are naturally fragile. In addition, pathologies of the spine develop after traumatic injuries and infectious processes, as in osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
6. Flat feet.Signs of "special" foot - absence of notches and lowered arches. Those who have this trait often face spinal problems. This is due to the increased load on the intervertebral discs when walking. During their lifetime, they are exposed to increased physical stress during movement, so they wear out quickly
7. Obesity.Being overweight is a problem and an additional burden on the body. All organs and systems suffer, including the spine.
8. Pathological processes.Dysfunctions of different structures can negatively affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system. Thus, the factors that provoke osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and digestive system failure.
9. Wrong way of life.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 has existed for a long time under stressful conditions becomes weakened and vulnerable. Other pathologies that can occur on such "fertile" soil include lumbar osteochondrosis.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Pathological changes in the lumbar spine are manifested by severe symptoms;

• Lower back painis ​​the clearest "signal" for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis. She talks about the presence of "radicular syndrome", when the 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 routine activities becomes a big problem due to pain in the lumbar spine. If an intervertebral hernia has formed in the lumbar region, the pain radiates to the lower leg, the back of the thigh and the foot. Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to sit and walk. Unpleasant sensations do not subside even when you are lying down. Temporary relief may alternate with periods of deterioration;
• dysfunction of the genitourinary system.They are manifested by pain in the kidneys, frequent urges to urinate. Deformation of the intervertebral discs causes the lumbar spine to move in relation to the sacrum. This affects the work of the internal reproductive organs in women, and in men it causes problems with potency;
• decreased sensitivity of the feet in the area of ​​the feet.It can be partial or absolute. At the same time, the reflexes of this part of the body are weakened. Progressive pathology leads to complete loss of sensitivity of the lower extremities;
• gait disorders.Pain in the lumbar spine with osteochondrosis causes a person to turn in the opposite direction to the one in which the nerve fibers are tightened. The condition does not allow walking long distances. The lame person is forced to stop from time to time, expecting pain relief. Timely medical care can save a person from disability.

Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis

Many people wonder if lumbar spine osteochondrosis is being treated and how it happens. Once the diagnosis is made and the diagnosis is made, therapeutic tactics are determined.

There are various methods by which lumbar osteochondrosis is treated. Which of them is necessary and advisable to apply in order to cure the disease or alleviate the human condition as much as possible, is determined by the doctor.

Some people are treated exclusively with folk remedies, at home, forgetting that they can only be used with the approval of a medical professional and only as part of a complex therapy.

Osteochondrosis drug

Drug therapy involves the use of:

• tablet forms;
• solution for injection;
• preparations for external use - ointments and gels.

Medications are prescribed that eliminate inflammation and relieve pain in the lumbar spine. They can be used at home.

It could be:

• analgesics;
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• muscle spasm medications (muscle relaxants);
• cartilage repair agent (chondroprotectors);
• corticosteroids (medicines that contain hormones that work to relieve pain and inflammation)
• vitamins.

The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor who sometimes prescribes tablets or drinks to calm the nervous system as an additional treatment.

Physiotherapy of lumbar osteochondrosis

Physiotherapy is another common method for relieving the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis. By acting on the spine and lower back, it enhances metabolic and restorative processes.

Commonly prescribed:

• magnetic, laser and electrotherapy;
• phonophoresis;
• shock wave method;
• detention therapy;
• vibration massage;
• balneotherapy.

How many and which procedures will be needed - the doctor decides.

Physiotherapy is effective when it comes to the initial stages of pathology. But it, like other types of treatment, has contraindications. Therefore, when prescribing this method, the doctor takes into account many factors.

Therapeutic exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis

The set of physical exercises that can be performed in lumbar osteochondrosis is aimed at restoring the mobility of this spine.

Regularity is considered the main condition for its effectiveness. Occasional exercises that are performed occasionally will not bring the desired effect.

If the body already has complications caused by osteochondrosis, this method is not applied. In addition, contraindications for its use are severe pathologies of other organs and systems, as well as the presence of pain in the pelvic area and above.

Surgical intervention for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

The surgical method is used in the presence of such severe complications as intervertebral hernia. Partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is performed, as provided by the operative protocol.

Indications for surgery are:

• severe and persistent pain syndrome, which cannot be removed with medication for a month;
• large size of hernia and its impact on the spinal cord.

Osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to cure. Like any pathology, it is potentially dangerous with serious complications. It is important to understand that more or less complete removal 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 the condition of the body, which allows you to live and work normally.