Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs are subject to degenerative disorders and with them the joints.The interval between them is shortened, due to which the nerve endings and roots are compressed, which leads to the formation of severe pain.Pathological changes often occur in the lumbar region.
The doctor will tell you how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, as self-medication can only worsen the condition.The difficulty lies in the fact that the 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.To understand the essence of the disease, it is necessary to delve into the anatomy.
The vertebra is a solid, dense cylinder-shaped structure with an arch from which the processes extend.The vertebral body is attached to them by arches, and in the center there is a vertebral hole.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 oscillating movements are possible.Between the vertebrae there are openings limited by processes;it is through them that the nerve roots of the spinal nerves emerge.
Pathological changes first appear in the nucleus pulposus (a semifluid structure with a gelatinous center at the opening of the disc).The nucleus pulposus has the greatest elasticity and is the main shock absorber.And then the pathological process develops in the joints of the vertebrae, leading to narrowing of the intervertebral holes.
The sacrum is a large, triangle-shaped bone located at the base of the spine.It consists of five vertebrae fused together and has anterior and posterior surfaces.There are no discs in this section and osteochondrosis does not develop.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is often diagnosed in people after the age of 30.The degenerative process occurs after a disruption of sea salt metabolism in the disc.As a result, the bone structure thins and becomes fragile.The nucleus pulposus expands its limits and moves towards the spinal canal.As a result, the fluid inside the canal and the nerves are compressed and swelling appears.This causes the onset of 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, since it is cartilage, and therefore the functionality of the organs is even more compromised.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of which will be described later, often occurs due to a weakening of the muscle corset, and therefore it is so important to train the muscles of the abdomen, hips and back.
Many people wonder whether osteochondrosis can be cured or not.This disease is easier to eliminate at an early stage.
Degrees of the disease
Sacral osteochondrosis progresses gradually.
There are 4 stages of the disease:
- 1st degreecharacterized by the manifestation of mild painful sensations that intensify after physical activity.Often there is a dull pain that radiates to the buttock;
- Phase 2.The interval between the vertebrae decreases and they begin to collapse along with nearby tissues.At the same time, the nerve endings are compressed.Intervertebral osteochondrosis causes sharp, radiating pain.Painful sensations force a person to lean forward.This causes displacement and stretching of the intervertebral discs;
- Phase 3osteochondrosis of the lower spine is manifested by the complete destruction of the vertebrae and the manifestation of an intervertebral hernia;
- Phase 4.The vertebrae grow, the cartilage atrophies and for this reason it is difficult for the patient to move.The spine in the lumbosacral area loses its flexibility, becomes less mobile, and the patient often becomes disabled.
It is important to monitor your health and start treatment if the symptoms described above appear.
Causes of the 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 trauma, especially if multiple vertebrae are affected.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- The disease develops due to severe stress.People who are constantly engaged in heavy physical labor suffer more often.
- Lower back pain is caused by excess weight.And this happens because the spine in the lumbosacral area is subjected to constant pressure.
- Due to poor physical activity, bone tissue nutrition deteriorates, blood flow slows down, and muscles weaken.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the causes of which vary, often develops due to poor posture.If a person slouches while sitting, the discs deform and wear out prematurely, and all this is due to uneven loading.
- Osteochondrosis often occurs due to back injuries.Which can be damaged during training if the level of sports preparation is low.To avoid problems, it is important to learn how to lift heavy objects correctly.You may hurt your back when you fall.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the natural result of the aging of the body and a decrease in 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 appears 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 good half of humanity the disease manifests itself earlier.At an initial stage, the disease does not manifest itself in any way, the person, without guessing anything, continues to live a full life.However, there are symptoms that can push you to make the right decision, which consists of a comprehensive diagnosis and a visit to a doctor.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:
- Lower back pain.Initially, painful sensations appear after exercise, and as the disease develops they become permanent.
- With lumbar osteochondrosis, mobility in the affected area decreases.When the patient tries to bend, turn or sit, a strong radiating pain appears that spreads from the leg to the foot.
- When nerves are pinched, the sensitivity of the legs changes (increases or decreases).Sometimes there is a burning sensation or numbness in the limb.
- The skin of the affected area becomes pale, dry, and the temperature decreases.
- Sweating increases, especially at night.
- With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the functioning of the genitourinary organs is disrupted.
These are the main signs of lumbar osteochondrosis.
The disease is chronic, but can get worse.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in acute and subacute forms:
- Low back pain: Pain occurs after muscle tension.Due to muscle spasm, the patient leans forward;
- during exacerbation, pain appears even after slight movement.Painful sensations increase sharply and radiate to the buttock or leg.The patient's condition improves when he lies on his back and bends the affected limb at the knee.After a few weeks, these signs of lumbar osteochondrosis gradually fade, motor activity is restored and the muscles relax;
- The subacute phase of the disease is characterized by dull, aching, radiating pain.
If a person notices such manifestations, it is worth visiting a doctor.
Diagnostic measures
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine should begin after a thorough 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 decreased or the buttocks are positioned asymmetrically, the diagnosis is confirmed.Additionally, the doctor evaluates the patient's posture.
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are described above, can be identified using the following studies:
- X-rays will once again confirm the diagnosis.This method cannot evaluate the condition of the spine.The images show only a narrowing of the openings between the vertebrae and the growth of osteophytes.
- A computed tomography of the lower back will allow you to establish a diagnosis and view the affected area on a computer monitor from a different angle or section.However, the technique is effective in diagnosing bony structures;for soft tissue formations, including vertebral discs, it is recommended to use MRI.
- MRI of the spine shows a complete picture of the state of bone tissue and soft structures in the lumbosacral area.
After carrying out the above studies, you can start treating 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 at the first or second stage of the disease, you can stop its development.
Therefore, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a long and complex process that helps to achieve the following goals:
- relieve pain;
- eliminate spasm;
- strengthen the muscles of the abdomen, back, hips, buttocks and legs;
- restore blood flow and metabolism to the affected area;
- eliminate inflammation;
- restore 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, since self-medication can have negative consequences.The doctor can use different groups of drugs, only in this case a positive result can be expected.
For these purposes, drugs are used:
- Painkillers, used to relieve discomfort;
- Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, radicular pain and swelling are eliminated.For osteochondrosis, drugs with steroid hormones are also prescribed.They alleviate or completely eliminate inflammation;
- How to treat lumbar osteochondrosis in the later stages interests many patients.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 cramps;
- In order to restore cartilage metabolism, start regeneration processes and stop dystrophic changes, the attending physician prescribes chondroprotectors;
- Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is carried out using B vitamins. They improve metabolism in cells, eliminate inflammation, remove excess fluid;
- With the help of diuretic drugs, swelling is eliminated;
- Immunomodulatory drugs strengthen the immune system;
- To improve blood flow to 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 lead to success in treating 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.
To resolve these problems, the following procedures are prescribed:
- amplimpulseThe affected area is exposed to sinusoidal modular currents;
- sonophoresis– simultaneous exposure to ultrasound and drugs;
- diadynamic therapy– treatment with low voltage electric current;
- Darsonevaluation.The damaged area is exposed to alternating current of low intensity, but with 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 this can be done with the help of physiotherapy.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 practice swimming, as well as perform water gymnastics, in which case the load on the spine will be minimal.
Surgical treatment
Surgery is a measure of last resort, which is performed only if previous methods were ineffective and the disease progresses so much that this is the only way to help the patient return to activity.The operation is performed in case of significant motor disorders and the presence of intervertebral hernias.Therefore, it is better not to know how to surgically cure lumbar osteochondrosis, since it is considered the most radical.
The surgeon removes the herniations between the discs and strengthens the vertebrae that have become misaligned.The doctor can also perform a spinal fusion operation, the essence of which is that a section of the spine is completely immobilized using a special metal structure.This is followed by long-term rehabilitation.
Special instructions
If lumbosacral osteochondrosis is left untreated, the sciatic nerve can become inflamed, causing 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 spinal instability.The disc is unable to support the vertebra and the lower back is displaced from the sacrum due to compression.In this regard, the functionality of the genitourinary organs is impaired.
To avoid complications, you must adhere to the following rules:
- avoid intense physical activity;
- strengthen the muscle corset;
- maintain correct posture;
- do physical exercise every day;
- establish nutrition, maintain a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
- adhere to the optimal rest regime;
- treat back diseases in the early stages.
Also, you should not self-medicate, otherwise the disease will disappear as soon as possible.It will be useful to wear a corset, which will lighten the load on the lumbar spine.