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, which over time spread 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 transform 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 internal 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.The deformation of the intervertebral discs is barely pronounced and causes reflex pain during sudden movements and lifting heavy objects.Unpleasant sensations in the lower part of the spine can be moderate and manifest themselves:
- lumbago: local and lasting pain in the lumbar spine;
- low back pain: sudden and painful “shooting” in the lower back.
Second degree.The destructive processes in the annulus fibrosus continue.The distance from one vertebra to another decreases, causing compression of the nerve fibers.Discomfort is felt in the lower third of the back, which sometimes turns into pain attacks.
Third degree.During this period, the definitive destruction of the fibrous ring occurs with extrusion of the nucleus pulposus.The vessels and nerve endings are compressed by the intervertebral discs.An intervertebral hernia forms.The spinal column curves forming:
- lordosis: arched deformity in the lumbar region, with convexity of the spine forward;
- kyphosis: a position opposite to lordosis, when the arch is formed in the external direction;
- Scoliosis is a pathological curvature of the spine to the right or left.
Last degreeosteochondrosis is considered the most serious and dangerous.At this time, the spine is already deformed, normal motor activity is lost.X-rays show bony growths in the lumbar spine: a response of 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:
- Disproportionate load on the spine.A person is an upright creature, therefore, in a standing position, the load on the spine is considered normal.When performing various actions, you have to move, bend and flex.To maintain the body in the desired state, the musculoskeletal system is in a prolonged tension mode.In a sitting position, the load on the spine increases, and while lying on your back it becomes minimal.When a person stays in the same position for a long time, the lumbar and sacral spine is 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 the vertebral structures.Prolonged sitting causes deformation of cartilaginous 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 to the musculoskeletal system.Long and hard work, especially associated with lifting and carrying heavy objects, leads to overload 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 once again the uneven load on the spine.Intervertebral discs lose elasticity and mobility and are therefore more likely to become damaged.Older and older people suffer from similar problems more than others.
- Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, lesions and infectious lesions.Osteochondrosis is often a consequence of disorders of the musculoskeletal system present at birth.For example, when the cartilaginous 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 notches and falling 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 greater physical impact 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 from it, including the spine.
- Pathological processes.Dysfunctions of various structures can negatively affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system.Therefore, the 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 simple and important things such as physical activity, balanced nutrition and normal sleep.An organism that exists under stress for a long time becomes weakened and vulnerable.Among the other pathologies that can arise on such "fertile" terrain is lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Pathological changes in the lumbar spine are manifested by severe symptoms;
- Lower back painit is the most surprising “sign” of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.He 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.As time passes, performing simple and familiar actions becomes a big problem due to lumbar spine pain.If an intervertebral hernia has formed in the lumbar region, the pain radiates to the lower leg, back of the thigh and foot.As time passes, it becomes increasingly difficult to sit and walk.The unpleasant sensations do not disappear even in a lying position.Temporary relief may alternate with periods of exacerbation.;
- dysfunction of the genitourinary system.They manifest themselves with pain in the kidney area and frequent need to urinate.The deformation of the intervertebral discs causes the displacement of the lumbar region relative to the sacrum.This affects the functioning of the internal reproductive organs in women and causes potency problems in men;
- 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.The progressive pathology leads to complete loss of sensation in the lower limbs;
- gait disturbances.Pain in the lumbar region with osteochondrosis makes a person deviate when walking in the direction opposite to that in which the nerve fibers are pinched.The condition does not allow you to travel long distances.A person who limps is forced to stop from time to time, waiting for the pain to subside.Timely medical care 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, therapeutic tactics are determined.
There are various methods by which lumbar osteochondrosis is treated.Which of them is necessary and advisable to use 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 be used only with the approval of a specialist doctor and only as part of complex therapy.
Pharmacological treatment of osteochondrosis
Pharmacological therapy involves the use of:
- tablet forms;
- injection solutions;
- preparations for external use - ointments and gels.
Drugs 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;
- drugs for muscle spasms (muscle relaxants);
- means to restore cartilaginous tissue (chondroprotectors);
- corticosteroids (drugs containing hormones whose action is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation)
- vitamins.
The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor who, as 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.Affecting the spine and lower back, it improves metabolic and recovery processes.
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 necessary.
Physiotherapy is effective when dealing with the initial stages of the pathology.But, like other types of treatment, it has contraindications.Therefore, when prescribing this method, the doctor takes into account many factors.
Therapeutic exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis
A series of physical exercises that may 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.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 serious pathologies of other organs and systems, as well as the presence of pain in the pelvic and upper area.
Surgery for lumbar osteochondrosis
The surgical method is used in the presence of serious complications such as intervertebral hernia.Partial or total removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is performed, as foreseen in the surgical protocol.
The indications for surgery are:
- severe, persistent pain that cannot be relieved with medications 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 in the early stages, when the deforming effect on the intervertebral discs is minimal.In other cases we can only talk about alleviating the symptoms and maintaining a state of the body that allows us to live and work normally.