Osteochondrosis of the back, which has different symptoms and treatment, 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 lumbosacral vertebrae.An acute process inevitably becomes chronic in the absence of therapy.
Degenerative disease can make a healthy person disabled.
Degrees of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral region is divided into 4 degrees.The development of the disease is as follows:
First degree.In the interior of the annulus fibrosus, damage occurs in the form of cracks through which the contents of the nucleus pulposus penetrate, causing irritation.This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis.Deformation of the intervertebral discs is difficult to pronounce and causes reflex pain during sudden movements and lifting heavy objects.Unpleasant sensations in the lower spine can be moderate and manifest as:
- lumbodynia - local, persistent pain in the lumbar region;
- lumbago - a sudden painful "shooting" in the lower back.
Second degree.Destructive processes continue in the fibrous ring.The distance from one vertebra to another decreases, causing compression of nerve fibers.There is discomfort in the lower third of the back, sometimes turning into pain attacks.
Third degree.During this period, 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 hernia is formed.Spinal curves form:
- lordosis - arched deformation in the lumbar region, forward protrusion of the spine;
- kyphosis - a position against lordosis when the arch is formed in the outward direction;
- Scoliosis is a pathological curvature of the spine to the right or left.
Extremelyosteochondrosis is considered the most severe and dangerous.At this time, the spine is already deformed and loses normal motor activity.X-rays show bone growth in the lumbar region - the body's response.There may be no pain for a while, but that doesn't mean it's getting better.People suffering from stage 4 osteochondrosis of the sacrolumbar region are often disabled.The reason is that the process at this stage is complicated.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Among the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis are the following:
- Disproportionate load on the spine.A person is an upright creature, so the load on the spine in a standing position is considered normal.When performing various actions, you need to move, bend and bend.To keep the body in any position, the musculoskeletal system is in tension mode for a long time.The load on the spine increases in the sitting position and is minimal when lying on the back.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 causes first discomfort and then pain.This deformation factor creates initial conditions for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Sedentary lifestyle.It contributes to the development of various pathologies, including those affecting the vertebral structures.Long-term sitting leads to deformation of cartilage tissue and a decrease in muscle tone, leading to the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Excessive physical activity.Both the lack of active physical activity and its excess do not bring anything good to the musculoskeletal system.Long, hard work, especially when it comes to lifting and carrying heavy objects, causes excessive strain on the back muscles and causes spinal hernias.
- Postural disorders.Deformation of the discs between the vertebrae can also be caused by improper walking.The reason is again an uneven load on the spine.Intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and mobility and are therefore more likely to be damaged.Elderly and elderly people suffer from similar problems more than others.
- Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, injuries and infectious lesions.Often, osteochondrosis is the result of disorders of the musculoskeletal system present at birth.For example, when the body's cartilage tissue is fragile by nature.In addition, spinal pathologies develop after traumatic injuries and infectious processes, as in osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
- Straight legs.Signs of a "special" foot are a notch and the absence of bent arches.Those who have this trait often face spinal problems.This is due to the increased load on the intervertebral discs during walking.Throughout life, they are subjected to increased physical impact when moving, so they wear out quickly
- Obesity.Excess weight is a problem and an additional burden for the body.All organs and systems suffer, including the spine.
- Pathological processes.Dysfunctions of various 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 malfunctions of the digestive system.
- Wrong lifestyle.Many people do not pay enough attention to simple and important things like physical activity, balanced nutrition and normal sleep.The body that is under stress for a long time becomes weak and sensitive.Among other pathologies that can arise in such "fertile" soil is lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Pathological changes in the lumbar spine are manifested by severe symptoms;
- Lower back painis the brightest "signal" of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.He talks about the presence of "radicular syndrome" in which compression of the nerve endings of the spine causes pain in the lower back.A person is tired and irritable.Over time, performing simple and familiar movements becomes a big problem due to back pain.If an intervertebral hernia has formed in the lower back, the pain spreads to the lower leg, the back of the thigh, and the foot.Over time, sitting and walking become increasingly difficult.Unpleasant feelings do not pass even in a lying state.Temporary relief may vary with periods of exacerbation.;
- dysfunction of the genitourinary system.They manifest as pain in the kidney area and frequent urge to urinate.Deformation of the intervertebral discs causes displacement of the lumbar region relative to the sacrum.It affects the functioning of internal reproductive organs in women and causes problems with potency in men;
- decreased sensitivity of the feet in the leg area.It can be partial or absolute.At the same time, the reflexes of this part of the body weaken.Progressive pathology causes a complete loss of sensation in the lower extremities;
- gait disorders.Pain in the lumbar region with osteochondrosis causes a person to deviate when going in the opposite direction to the place where the nerve fibers are compressed.The situation does not allow to go long distances.The lame person is forced to stop from time to time, waiting for the pain to subside.Timely medical help 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 happens.When the diagnosis is made and the diagnosis is made, therapeutic tactics are determined.
There are different methods of treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis.The doctor determines which of them is necessary and appropriate to use to treat a disease or alleviate a person's condition as much as possible.
Someone treats only with folk remedies at home, forgetting that it can be used only 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;
- injection solutions;
- preparations for external use - ointments and gels.
Medications are prescribed to relieve inflammation and pain in the lower back.They can be used at home.
These can be:
- analgesics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- medicines for muscle spasms (muscle relaxants);
- means for restoring cartilage tissue (chondroprotectors);
- corticosteroids (hormone-containing drugs whose action is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation)
- vitamins.
The course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor, who sometimes prescribes pills or drugs that calm the nervous system as additional treatment.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Another common way to relieve the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is physiotherapy.Affecting the spine and lumbar region, it strengthens the metabolic and recovery processes.
It is most often prescribed:
- magnetic, laser and electrotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- shock wave method;
- detensor therapy;
- vibration massage;
- balneotherapy.
The doctor decides how many and which procedures will be needed.
Physiotherapy is effective when it comes to the initial stages of the pathology.However, like other types of treatment, it has contraindications.Therefore, when prescribing this method, the doctor considers many factors.
Therapeutic exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis
A number of physical exercises that can be indicated for lumbar osteochondrosis are aimed at restoring the mobility of this part of the spine.
Regularity is considered the main condition of its effectiveness.Sometimes the exercises will not give the desired effect.
If the body already has complications caused by osteochondrosis, this method is not used.In addition, contraindications to its use are severe pathologies of other organs and systems, as well as pain in the pelvic region and above.
Surgical intervention for lumbar osteochondrosis
The surgical method is used in case of severe complications such as intervertebral hernia.Partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is performed as prescribed in the operating protocol.
Instructions for operation are:
- severe and persistent pain that cannot be relieved by medication within a month;
- the large size of the hernia and its effect on the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to treat.Like any pathology, it is potentially dangerous with serious complications.It should be understood that a more or less complete recovery from 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 eliminating symptoms and maintaining a body condition that allows us to live and work normally.