Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which are varied, is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
This condition is characterized by the fact that degenerative-dystrophic changes develop 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 becomes chronic.
A degenerative disease can turn a healthy person into a disabled person.
Degrees of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is classified into 4 degrees.The progression of the disease is as follows:
First degree.In the inner part of the fibrous ring, damage forms in the form of cracks, into which the contents of the nucleus pulposus penetrate, causing irritation.This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis.Deformation of the intervertebral discs is barely pronounced and causes reflex pain during sudden movements and lifting heavy objects.Unpleasant sensations in the lower spine can be moderate and manifest themselves:
- lumbodynia – local, lasting pain in the lumbar spine;
- lumbago – sudden painful “shooting” in the lower back.
Second degree.Destructive processes in the fibrous ring 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 at times develops into attacks of pain.
Third degree.During this period, the final destruction of the fibrous ring occurs with extrusion of the nucleus pulposus.Vessels and nerve endings are compressed by intervertebral discs.An intervertebral hernia is formed.The spine curves, forming:
- lordosis - an arched deformity in the lumbar region, with a convexity of the spinal column forward;
- kyphosis - a position opposite to lordosis, when the arch is formed in the outer direction;
- Scoliosis is a pathological curvature of the spine to the right or left.
Last degreeosteochondrosis is considered the most severe and dangerous.At this time, the spine is already deformed, normal motor activity is lost.X-rays show bone growths in the lumbar spine - a response from the body.There may be no pain for some time, but this does not mean improvement.People suffering from stage 4 osteochondrosis of the sacrolumbar region often become disabled.The reason is that at this stage the process is complicated.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Among the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis are the following:
- Disproportional load on the spine.A person is an upright creature, therefore, in a standing position, the load on the spinal column is considered normal.When performing various actions, you have to move, bending and unbending. In order to maintain the body in the desired state, the musculoskeletal system is in a mode of prolonged tension.In a sitting position, the load on the spinal column increases, and while lying on your back, it becomes minimal.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 first creates a feeling of discomfort and then pain.This deforming factor creates the prerequisites for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Sedentary lifestyle.It contributes to the development of various pathologies, including those that affect vertebral structures.Prolonged sitting causes deformation of cartilage tissue and a decrease in muscle tone, provoking the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Excessive physical activity.Both the lack of active physical activity and its excess do not bring anything good for the musculoskeletal system.Long, hard work, especially associated with lifting and carrying heavy objects, leads to overstrain of the back muscles and causes the formation of spinal hernias.
- Posture disorders.Deformation of the discs between the vertebrae can also be caused by improper walking.The reason is again the uneven load on the spinal column.Intervertebral discs lose elasticity and mobility, and therefore are more likely to be damaged.Older and older people suffer more from similar problems than others.
- Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, injuries and infectious lesions.Often, osteochondrosis is a consequence of disorders of the musculoskeletal system that were present at birth.For example, when the cartilage tissue of the body is fragile by nature.In addition, spinal pathologies develop after traumatic injuries and infectious processes, as in osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
- Flat feet.Signs of a “special” foot are the absence of a notch and drooping arches.Those who have this feature often face spinal problems.This is due to the increased load on the intervertebral discs when walking.Throughout life, they are exposed 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 adversely affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system.Thus, factors provoking osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and malfunction of the digestive system.
- Wrong lifestyle.Many people do not pay enough attention to such simple and important things as physical activity, balanced nutrition and normal sleep.An organism that exists under stress for a long time becomes weakened and vulnerable.Among other pathologies that can arise on 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 most striking “signal” of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.She talks about the presence of “radicular syndrome,” when 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 familiar actions becomes a big 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, back of the thigh and foot.Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to sit and walk.The unpleasant sensations do not go away even in a lying position.Temporary relief may alternate with periods of exacerbation.;
- dysfunction of the genitourinary system.They manifest themselves 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.This affects the functioning of the internal reproductive organs in women, and causes problems with potency in men;
- decreased sensitivity of the legs in the foot area.It can be either partial or absolute.At the same time, the reflexes of this part of the body are weakened.Progressive pathology leads to complete loss of sensation in the lower extremities;
- gait disturbances.Pain in the lumbar region with osteochondrosis causes a person to deviate when walking in the direction opposite to where the nerve fibers are pinched.The condition does not allow walking long distances.A person limping is forced to stop from time to time, waiting for the pain to subside.Timely medical assistance can save a person from disability.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Many people wonder whether lumbar osteochondrosis is treated and how it happens.When the diagnosis is made and the diagnosis is made, the therapeutic tactics are determined.
There are various methods by which lumbar osteochondrosis is treated.Which of them is necessary and advisable to use in order to cure a disease or alleviate a person’s condition as much as possible is determined by the doctor.
Someone treats themselves exclusively with folk remedies, at home, forgetting that they can only be used with the approval of a medical specialist and only as part of complex therapy.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis
Medication therapy 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 region.They can be used at home.
These could be:
- analgesics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- medications 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 a doctor, who, as an additional treatment, sometimes prescribes pills or medicines that calm the nervous system.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Another common method that relieves the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is physiotherapy.By influencing the spine and lower back, it enhances metabolic and restoration processes.
Most often prescribed:
- magnetic, laser and electrotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- shock wave method;
- detensor therapy;
- vibration massage;
- balneotherapy.
The doctor decides how many and what procedures will be needed.
Physiotherapy is effective when it comes to the initial stages of pathology.But it, like other types of treatment, has contraindications.Therefore, when prescribing this method, the doctor takes into account many factors.
Therapeutic exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis
A set of physical exercises that can be indicated for lumbar osteochondrosis is aimed at restoring the mobility of this part of the spine.
Regularity is considered the main condition for its effectiveness.Exercises performed occasionally will not bring 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 lumbar osteochondrosis
The surgical method is used in the presence of severe complications such as intervertebral hernia.Partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is performed, as provided in the surgical protocol.
Indications for surgery are:
- severe and persistent pain that cannot be relieved with medication for a month;
- 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 relief from this pathology is possible at 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 a state of the body that allows one to live and work normally.