Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which are diverse, 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. An acute process, in the absence of therapy, inevitably turns into a chronic process.
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 pattern of development of the disease is as follows:
First degree.In the inner part of the fibrosus ring, 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 hardly expressed and gives reflex pain with sudden movements and heavy lifting. Unpleasant sensations in the lower spine may be mild and overt:
- lumbodynia - local and lasting pain in the lumbar spine;
- lumbago - sudden, painful "lumbago" in the lower back.
Second degree.Destructive processes in the annulus fibrosus continue. The distance from one vertebra to another decreases, causing compression of the nerve fibers. There is discomfort in the lower third of the back, which sometimes turns into a bout of pain.
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 forms. The spine is curved, forming:
- lordosis - arched deformity of the lumbar spine, with a front bulge of the spine;
- kyphosis - the position opposite to lordosis, when the arc is formed outward;
- scoliosis - pathological flexion of the spine to the right or to the left.
The last degreeis considered the most serious and the most dangerous. At this point, 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 be absent for a while, but this does not mean improvement. People with stage 4 osteochondrosis of the sacro-lumbar spine often become disabled. The reason is that at this point the process is complicated.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Some of the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis include the following:
- Disproportionate load on the spine.Man is an erect creature, therefore, when standing, the load on the spine is considered normal. When performing various actions, you need to move, bend, and relax. In order to maintain the body in the desired state, the musculoskeletal system is in a mode of prolonged tension. When sitting, the load on the spine increases, and when lying on the back it becomes minimal. When a person is in the same position for a long time, the lumbar and sacral parts of the spine are overloaded and the muscles do not rest, resulting in a feeling of discomfort and then pain. This deformation factor creates the prerequisites for the development of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
- Sedentary lifestyle.It contributes to the development of various pathologies, including those that affect the vertebral structures. Prolonged sitting causes deformation of cartilage tissue and a decrease in muscle tone, causing the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Excessive physical strain.Both the lack of vigorous physical activity and its excess are not beneficial for the musculoskeletal system. Long, hard work, especially in combination with lifting and carrying weights, leads to an overload of the back muscles and causes the formation of spinal hernias.
- Posture disorders.Deformation of the discs between the vertebrae can be caused by improper walking. The reason again is in the uneven load on the spine. The intervertebral discs lose their elasticity, mobility and are therefore more susceptible to damage. More than others, the elderly and the elderly suffer from similar problems.
- Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, trauma and infectious lesions.Often, osteochondrosis is the consequence of disorders of the musculoskeletal system present at birth. For example, when the cartilage tissue in the body is naturally fragile. In addition, pathologies of the spine develop after traumatic injuries and infectious processes, as in osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
- Flat feet.The signs of a "special" foot are the absence of a hollow and falling from its arches. Those who have such a characteristic often face problems with the spine. This is due to the increased load on the intervertebral discs when walking. Throughout life, they are subjected to increased physical stress during movement, so they wear out quickly
- Obesity.Excess weight is a problem and an additional burden on the body. All organs and systems suffer, including the spine.
- Pathological processes.Dysfunctions of various structures can adversely affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system. Thus, the factors that cause osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and dysfunction of the digestive system.
- Bad way of life.Many people do not pay enough attention to things as simple and important as physical activity, a balanced diet and normal sleep. An organism that has existed for a long time under conditions of stress becomes weakened and vulnerable. Among the other pathologies which may occur on such “fertile” soil, mention may be made of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Pathological changes in the lumbar spine are manifested by severe symptoms;
- Low 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 in the spine causes pain in the lumbar region. The person becomes tired and irritable. Over time, doing simple, routine activities becomes a big problem due to the pain in the lower back spine. If an intervertebral hernia has formed in the lumbar region, the pain radiates down the leg, the back of the thigh and the foot. Over time, it becomes more and more difficult to sit and walk. Unpleasant sensations do not let go even when lying down. Temporary relief may alternate with periods of exacerbation.
- dysfunction of the genitourinary system.They are manifested by pain in the kidney area, a frequent urge to urinate. The deformation of the intervertebral discs causes a displacement of the lumbar spine relative to the sacrum. It affects the work of internal reproductive organs in women and in men, it causes problems with potency;
- decreased sensitivity of the legs 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 a complete loss of sensitivity of the lower limbs;
- gait disturbance.Pain in the lumbar spine with osteochondrosis causes a person to deviate when walking in the opposite direction to where the nerve fibers are pinched. The condition does not allow walking long distances. A lame person is forced to stop from time to time, expecting relief from pain. Timely medical assistance can save a person from disability.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Many people wonder if osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is treated and how it occurs. Once the diagnosis has been made and the diagnosis made, the treatment tactics are determined.
There are different methods of treating lumbar osteochondrosis. The doctor determines which of them is necessary and advised to apply to cure a disease or to alleviate the condition of a person as much as possible.
Someone treats himself exclusively with folk remedies, at home, forgetting that they can only be used with the approval of a specialist doctor and only as part of complex therapy.
Medicines for osteochondrosis
Pharmacotherapy involves the use of:
- tablet forms;
- injection solutions;
- preparations for external use - ointments and gels.
Medicines are prescribed to eliminate inflammation and relieve pain in the lumbar spine. They can be used at home.
These could be:
- pain relievers
- ;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- medicines for muscle spasms (muscle relaxants);
- means for the restoration of cartilaginous tissues (chondroprotectors);
- corticosteroids (medicines containing hormones that work to relieve pain and inflammation) Vitamins
- .
Treatment is prescribed by a doctor, who sometimes prescribes pills or potions to calm the nervous system as an additional treatment.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy is another common method of relieving symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis. Acting on the spine and lower back, it improves metabolic and restorative processes.
Most often prescribed:
- magnetic, laser and electrotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- shock wave method; stress reliever treatment
- ; vibration massage
- ; Balneotherapy
- .
How many and what procedures will be needed - the doctor decides.
Physiotherapy is effective in the early stages of the pathology. But she, like other types of treatment, has contraindications. Therefore, when prescribing this method, the doctor takes into account many factors.
Therapeutic gymnastics for lumbar osteochondrosis
A set of physical 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 occasionally will not bring the desired effect.
If the body already has complications from osteochondrosis, this method is not applied. In addition, contraindications to its use are serious pathologies of other organs and systems, as well as the presence of pain in the pelvic region and above.
Surgery for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The surgical method is used in the presence of complications as serious as an intervertebral hernia. Partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is performed, as prescribed by the protocol of the operation.
The indications for surgery are:
- syndrome of strong and persistent pain, which 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 cure. Like any pathology, it is potentially dangerous with serious complications. It is important to understand that a more or less complete elimination of this pathology is possible in the early stages, when the effect of deformation on the intervertebral discs is minimal. In other cases, it is only possible to talk about relieving symptoms and maintaining the condition of the body, which makes it possible to live and work normally.