Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine - symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, whose symptoms and treatment are varied, 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. Acute process, in the absence of therapy, inevitably becomes chronic.

Degenerative disease can turn a healthy person into a disabled person.

Degrees of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

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

First degree.In the inner part of the annular fibrosis, 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 weak and gives reflex pain during sudden movements and heavy lifting. Unpleasant sensations in the lower part of the spine can be mild and manifest:

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

Second degree.The destructive processes in the fibrous ring continue. The distance from one vertebra to another decreases, which leads to compression of nerve fibers. There is discomfort in the lower third of the back, which sometimes develops in bouts of pain.

Third degree.During this period, the final destruction of annular fibrosis occurs with the extrusion of the pulposus nucleus. The vessels and nerve endings are compressed by the intervertebral discs. An intervertebral hernia forms. The spine is curved, forming:

• lordosis - arcuate deformity in the lumbar spine, with a protrusion of the spine;
• kyphosis - the situation opposite to lordosis, when the arc is formed in the external direction;
• scoliosis - pathological bending of the spine to the right or left.

The last degreeosteochondrosis is considered the most severe and dangerous. By this time, the spine is already deformed, normal physical activity is lost. X-rays show bone growths in the lumbar spine - the body's response. The pain may be gone for a while, but that doesn't mean improvement. People with stage 4 osteochondrosis of the sacro-lumbar spine often become disabled. The reason is that at this stage the process is complex.

Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis include:

1. Disproportionate load on the spine.Man is an upright being, therefore in an upright position the load on the spine is considered normal. When performing various actions, you need to move, bend and unfold. To keep the body in the desired condition, the musculoskeletal system is in continuous voltage mode. In a sitting position, the load on the spine increases, and when lying on your 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, which causes first 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 the vertebral structures. Prolonged sitting causes deformation of cartilage tissue and a decrease in muscle tone, provoking the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
3. Excessive physical activity.Both the lack of vigorous physical activity and the excess of it do not bring anything good for the musculoskeletal system. Long, hard work, especially involving lifting and carrying weights, leads to strain on the muscles of the back and causes the formation of spinal hernias.
4. Posture disorders.Deformity of the discs between the vertebrae can also be caused by improper walking. The reason is again in the uneven load on the spine. The intervertebral discs lose elasticity, mobility and are therefore more likely to be damaged. Older and older people suffer from similar problems more than others.
5. Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, traumas and infectious lesions.Osteochondrosis is often the result of musculoskeletal disorders that were present at birth. For example, when the cartilage tissues of the body are naturally fragile. In addition, pathologies of the spine develop after traumatic injuries and infectious processes, such as osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
6. Flat legs.Signs of a "special" foot are the absence of a cavity and drooping arches. Those who have such a function often face problems with the spine. This is due to the increased load on the intervertebral discs when walking. Throughout their lives, they are subjected to increased physical stress during movement, which is why 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 various structures can adversely affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system. So the factors that provoke osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and digestive dysfunction.
9. Wrong way of life.Many people do not pay enough attention to such simple and important things as physical activity, balanced diet and normal sleep. The body, which exists for a long time under stressful conditions, becomes weak 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 major 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 relax even when lying down. Temporary relief may alternate with periods of exacerbation.
• urogenital dysfunction.They are manifested by pain in the kidneys, frequent urge to urinate. Deformation of the intervertebral discs causes a displacement of the lumbar spine relative 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 foot area.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 deviate when walking in the opposite direction to where the nerve fibers are compressed. The condition does not allow walking long distances. A lame person is forced to stop from time to time, expecting pain relief. Timely medical care can save a person from injury.

Treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis

Many people wonder if osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is treated and how it occurs. When the diagnosis is made and the diagnosis is made, the therapeutic tactics are determined.

There are various methods used to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. Which of them is necessary and advisable to apply to cure a disease or to alleviate a person's condition as much as possible, determines the doctor.

Someone is treated exclusively with folk remedies, at home, forgetting that they can be used only 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;
• injectable solutions;
• preparations for external use - ointments and gels.

Prescribed drugs that eliminate inflammation and relieve pain in the lumbar spine. They can be used at home.

These can be:

• analgesics;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• medicines for muscle spasms (muscle relaxants);
• cartilage repair agent (chondroprotectors);
• corticosteroids (hormone-containing drugs that work to relieve pain and inflammation)
• vitamins.

The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor, who sometimes prescribes pills or decoctions to calm the nervous system as an adjunct treatment.

Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis

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

Most commonly prescribed:

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

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

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

Therapeutic gymnastics for lumbar osteochondrosis

A set of exercises that can be shown in lumbar osteochondrosis is aimed at restoring the mobility of this spine.

Regularity is considered to be the main condition for its effectiveness. Exercises performed from time to time will not lead to 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 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 an intervertebral hernia. Partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is performed, as provided in the protocol of the operation.

The indications for surgery are:

• severe and persistent pain syndrome that cannot be eliminated with medication for 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 is important to understand that more or less complete elimination 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.