Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine, in which the intervertebral discs are subject to degenerative disorders, and together with them, the joints.The interval between them is reduced, 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.
Your 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.
A vertebra is a rigid, dense cylinder-shaped structure with an arch from which processes extend.The body of the vertebrae is attached to them with the help of arcs, and in the middle there is a spinal opening.It is these openings that form the spinal canal.
Not all processes are involved in the formation of the joints, but only the upper and lower ones, in which small rocking movements are possible.Between the vertebrae there are openings that are bounded by processes;it is through them that the nerve roots of the spinal nerves exit.
Pathological changes appear first in the nucleus pulposus (a semi-fluid structure with a jelly-like center at the opening of the disc).The 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 a narrowing of the intervertebral openings.
The sacrum is a large, triangular-shaped bone located at the base of the spine.It consists of five vertebrae that are fused together and has an anterior and posterior surface.In this area there are no discs and osteochondrosis does not develop.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is often diagnosed in people after 30 years.The degenerative process occurs after disruption of the water-salt metabolism in the disc.As a result, the bone structure thins and becomes brittle.The nucleus pulposus expands its borders and moves towards the spinal canal.As a result, the fluid inside the canal and the nerves are compressed and edema occurs.This provokes the appearance of painful sensations and dysfunction of the organs to which these areas belong.
Due to the compression, bone cells divide faster and osteophytes (abnormal growths) appear on the vertebrae.Regeneration of the disc is impossible, because it is cartilage, and therefore the functionality of the organs is impaired even more.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of which will be described further, often occurs due to weakening of the muscle corset, and that is why it is so important to train the muscles of the abdomen, sides and back.
Many people wonder whether osteochondrosis can be treated or not.This disease is easiest to eliminate at an early stage.
Degrees of 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.There is often a dull pain that radiates to the buttock;
- Stage 2.The space between the vertebrae decreases and they begin to collapse along with the 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 provokes displacement and stretching of the intervertebral discs;
- Stage 3osteochondrosis of the lower spine is manifested by complete destruction of the vertebrae and manifestation of intervertebral hernia;
- Stage 4.The vertebrae grow, the cartilage atrophies, and therefore it is difficult for the patient to move.The spine in the lumbosacral region loses its flexibility, becomes less mobile and often the patient 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 loading of the lower back.Sometimes the causes of the disease have an autoimmune 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 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 region is under constant pressure.
- Due to low physical activity, bone tissue nutrition deteriorates, blood flow slows down and muscles weaken.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the causes of which are different, often develops due to improper posture.If a person slouches while sitting, the discs are deformed and worn 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 hurt your back when you fall.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a natural result 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, etc.
In rare cases, osteochondrosis occurs due to hypothermia, severe depression, improper 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 beautiful half of humanity, the disease manifests itself earlier.At an early stage, the disease does not manifest itself in any way, the person, without suspecting anything, continues to live a full life.However, there are symptoms that can prompt you to make the right decision, which consists of a complete diagnosis and a visit to a doctor.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:
- Lower back pain.Initially, painful sensations appear after physical exertion, and with the development of the disease they become permanent.
- With lumbar osteochondrosis, mobility in the affected area decreases.When the patient tries to bend, turn or sit, 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 or tingling sensation in the limb.
- The skin of the affected area becomes pale, dry, the temperature decreases.
- Sweating increases, especially at night.
- In osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the functioning of the genitourinary organs is impaired.
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 form:
- lumbago - pain occurs after muscle strain.Due to a muscle spasm, the patient leans forward;
- during an exacerbation, pain appears even after slight movement.Pain sensations increase sharply and radiate to the buttock or leg.The patient's condition is relieved when he lies on his back and bends the affected limb 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 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 has decreased or the buttocks are located 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 tests:
- X-rays will once again confirm the diagnosis.This method cannot assess the condition of the spine.Only narrowing of the openings between the vertebrae and growth of osteophytes are visible in the photographs.
- Computed tomography of the lower back will make it possible to make a diagnosis and see 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 masses, including spinal discs, the use of nuclear magnetic resonance is recommended.
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine gives a complete picture of the state of bone tissue and soft structures in the lumbosacral region.
After carrying out the above examinations, you can start treating lumbar osteochondrosis.
Methods of treatment
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;
- spasm removal;
- strengthening the muscles of the abdomen, back, sides, buttocks and legs;
- restoration of blood flow and metabolism in the affected area;
- eliminate inflammation;
- restoration of motor function of the lower back;
- normalization of leg sensitivity;
- improving 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, as self-medication can have negative consequences.The doctor can use several groups of drugs, only in this case a positive result can be expected.
Medicines are used for these purposes:
- Pain relievers, which are used to relieve discomfort;
- Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, radicular pain and swelling are eliminated.Medicines with steroid hormones are also prescribed for osteochondrosis.They relieve or completely eliminate inflammation;
- How to treat lumbar osteochondrosis in the later stages is of interest to 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 the metabolism in the cartilage, start the regeneration processes and stop the dystrophic changes, the attending physician prescribes chondroprotectors;
- Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is carried out with the help of vitamins of group B. They improve cell metabolism, remove 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 with 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, activates metabolic and restorative processes.
To solve these problems, the following procedures are prescribed:
- amplipulseThe affected area is exposed to sinusoidal modulo currents;
- sonophoresis– simultaneous exposure to ultrasound and drugs;
- diadynamic therapy– treatment with electric current low voltage;
- Darsonvalization.The damaged area is exposed to alternating current of low strength, but of high frequency and voltage;
- inductothermy– treatment with high-frequency magnetic fields;
- laser therapy– treatment with optical radiation that comes 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 must 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 engage in swimming, as well as perform gymnastics in water, in this 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 has progressed so much that it is the only way to help the patient return to activity.The intervention is performed in case of significant movement disorders and the presence of intervertebral hernias.That is why it is better not to know how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis surgically, as it is considered the most radical.
The surgeon removes herniated discs between the discs and strengthens the vertebrae that have shifted.The doctor can also perform spinal fusion surgery, the essence of which is that part of the spine is completely immobilized with the help of a special metal structure.This is followed by long rehabilitation.
Special instructions
If lumbosacral osteochondrosis is not treated, the sciatic nerve can become inflamed, which can lead to severe 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 region is displaced from the sacrum due to compression.In this regard, the functionality of the genitourinary organs is impaired.
To prevent complications, you must follow the following rules:
- avoid intense physical activity;
- strengthening the muscle corset;
- maintain proper posture;
- exercise daily;
- establish nutrition, maintain a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
- observe the optimal rest regime;
- treatment of back diseases in the early stages.
You should also not 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.