In case of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of the disease will be discussed further, the mobility of a person is limited, the ability to lead a normal life. Almost half of all patients complain of pain in this part of the back. According to the results of Poll Options Are, lumbar osteochondrosis ranks second after respiratory diseases.
If until recently age-related degenerative processes were considered the main cause of pathology, now many other factors that cause the disease have been clarified. Before starting therapy, it is necessary to understand what osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is.
The disease is a pathological change in the intervertebral discs, accompanied by dystrophy of the ligaments, destruction of the bodies of the vertebrae themselves. It is the lumbar spine that suffers the most, as it takes a huge load when lifting weights in a sitting position.
The signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are increasingly manifesting in young people who are just 30 years old. It is impossible to start the disease, as the complications are fraught with disability, paralysis of the lower extremities.
Main symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis is a deforming disease, which in most cases is a natural aging process. But high physical activity on the spine, metabolic disorders, abuse of harmful products and alcohol accelerate this process.
The first signs of pathology do not appear immediately, so therapy does not always start on time. With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms are as follows:
- pain is most often painful in the early stages and acute in 2-3 stages of the development of the disease (with any sudden movement, the discomfort becomes stronger and during bed rest disappears);
- with osteochondrosis, feelings of weakness appear in the legs (tendon reflexes are lost in the lower limbs, which is clearly visible during neurological tests);
- curvature of the lumbar part;
- violation of urination and defecation (depending on where the spinal cord was pinched).
Additional symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis can also be identified: a feeling of numbness in the lower back, dryness and peeling of the skin, a change in its hue (turns blue). Sweating increases in the buttock area. One of the signs of osteochondrosis in men in the lumbar spine is considered to be erectile dysfunction.
With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, symptoms vary in severity. Some manifestations can be combined into syndromes.
| Syndromes | Feature |
| Ischemic | Here, signs of lumbar osteochondrosis appear due to damage to blood vessels. The arteries begin to spasm (the process becomes permanent over time). This condition is characterized by pain in the muscles of the lower leg and thighs while walking. If the blood vessels are pinched and spasmed for a long time, the nutrition of the pelvic organs is disturbed, as well as their functionality. In women, the pathology causes problems with the menstrual cycle, the ability to conceive a child, urination |
| Vertebral | It is characterized by pain of varying intensity and localization. Arises after the load on the lumbar spine: tilting, lifting heavy objects. If a herniated disc occurs, the person may lose sensation in the legs. In this case, changes occur in the spine: changes in posture, the person bends over, the gait becomes problematic |
| Radicular | The vertebrae become unstable, compressing not only the nerve roots, but also the blood vessels. A symptom of the syndrome is pain at the pinching site of the endings. Unpleasant sensations spread to the buttocks and legs. A person has an increase in muscle tone, he is forced to change his gait. In the absence of treatment for osteochondrosis, the nerve roots become inflamed. This condition is accompanied by edema of the body tissues surrounding the spine. The blood begins to stagnate, the process of intoxication begins. With radicular syndrome, pain in other joints is observed. In addition to these symptoms, a feeling of "goosebumps" appears in the lower back (lower back). In particularly difficult cases, patients can no longer move independently |
People suffering from osteochondrosis of the lumbar back must undergo a comprehensive examination to find out the severity of the disease and to determine the treatment regimen.
Degrees of lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis develops gradually. There are such stages of the progression of the pathology:
- First. In this case, the nucleus pulposus, which is located inside the disc, begins to move and change. Cracks appear on the fibrous ring. Nerve roots become irritated, which is signaled by back pain. At this stage of osteochondrosis, the discomfort is still local in nature, that is, the symptoms are felt only in the area of the damaged disc. Sometimes it is low back pain, but in the early stage of development, there is often dull, constant pain. Discomfort in osteochondrosis increases after load on the lumbar spine.
- Second. Here the destruction of the fibrous ring occurs. The mobility of the injured vertebrae increases, while the muscle tissue becomes tense. The distance between them decreases, they can move relative to each other. It becomes more difficult for a person to move, as he gets tired quickly, feels severe discomfort in the lower back. The pain spreads to the thighs, legs, buttocks. The person sweats more.
- Third. At this stage of the disease, the pain intensifies many times, because the fibrous ring breaks. In this case, the nucleus pulposus leaves its place and a hernia is formed. The patient experiences acute pain and low back pain when the tissues and nerve roots are squeezed. The discomfort becomes constant and unbearable. The work of the internal organs is disrupted.
- Fourth. Spinal deformation occurs. It is very difficult for a person to move, but the pain symptom becomes less pronounced. This does not at all mean that the pathology is no longer developing. This state is a signal that a person will soon sit in a wheelchair. Also, in the area of the damaged disc, osteophytes grow, further aggravating the condition, the muscles atrophy.
If the development of the disease is not controlled and the therapy is not started in time, the vertebrae will simply collapse and restore them without a risky and difficult operation will not work.
What to do in case of exacerbation of the disease
Lumbar osteochondrosis is a difficult disease that should not be carried to the last stage. It quickly becomes chronic, as even the most effective treatment can only stop the development of the pathology or slow it down.
If there is severe pain in the back and the person cannot move normally, this indicates an exacerbation of the pathological process. Most often it occurs in those patients who do not follow the recommendations of doctors. If an exacerbation has occurred, a person should follow these rules:
- It is best to completely abandon physical activity for the time necessary to restore normal body function. It is best to lie down in a comfortable position that does not cause discomfort. It is okay if the patient uses a hard mattress, as the body in this case (the lumbar region in particular) does not bend.
- To minimize the load on the back, a person can use a semi-rigid corset. It will limit sudden movements.
- To reduce the severity of pain in osteochondrosis, it is necessary to slowly bend the leg at the knee on the affected side. This will help relieve muscle tension and relieve pinched nerve tissue.
- In difficult cases, the applicator can be used, but should be used with caution. The procedure is carried out twice a day for 30 minutes.
- After a massage that gradually restores normal blood circulation and muscle tone, you should use an anti-inflammatory ointment.
It is impossible to rewarm the affected area the first day after the start of an exacerbation. Dry heat is applied only on the second day, when the peak of pain has passed. Otherwise, tissue edema will increase and the condition of the patient with osteochondrosis will worsen.
Diagnosis of the disease
Lumbar osteochondrosis requires a serious approach and complex therapy. It becomes easier for the patient if he takes the right medications, performs the exercises prescribed by the doctor. To choose a treatment regimen, the patient must be examined. The following diagnostic methods are distinguished:
- Radiography. If the lumbar joints are affected, evaluation by radiography is considered the main one. The image was taken in different projections. On it you can see the damage to the discs, the state of the spinal canal. Each projection must be perpendicular to the previous one.
- MRI or CT. The presented procedures help to more accurately identify which factors triggered the development of osteochondrosis, in what conditions it is not only the vertebrae, but also soft tissues, blood vessels, nerve endings. At the same time, the person does not feel any discomfort.
- External examination with palpation of the damaged area and neurological tests.
Only a thorough diagnosis will determine whether a person really develops osteochondrosis.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
If lumbar osteochondrosis therapy is not performed, the patient develops complications such as protrusion, spondyloarthrosis, hernia, inflammation of the sciatic nerve, narrowing of the spinal canal, disturbance of the functionality of the pelvic organs. The person also begins to limp, has paresis and paralysis of the legs.
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine has several tasks. First, it is necessary to eliminate the inflammation that causes pain in this disease. Of course, it is necessary to stop the unpleasant symptoms themselves and strengthen the muscular corset in the lumbar region, lower extremities.
Therapy should relieve soft tissue swelling and spasm. The patient is prescribed means and procedures designed to improve the functionality of organs, regulate blood circulation, restore metabolic processes in the body, and also expand the range of motion. Since osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of patients will be treated for a long time, it is necessary to choose those methods that will give a good effect and cause the least damage. Medicines, alternative treatments, physiotherapy, LF and other methods are used.
Surgery
In advanced cases, when the development of the disease has reached the last stage, lumbar osteochondrosis requires surgical intervention. The help of a surgeon is needed in the presence of complications that compromise the functionality of the organs, a vertebral hernia. An emergency operation is performed if there is a threat of developing lower limb paralysis.
The most effective intervention is to remove the damaged disk. The microsurgical method for treating osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine using an endoscope is also widespread. This procedure is less traumatic for the patient and allows him to recover in the shortest possible time.
Physiotherapy
With lumbar osteochondrosis, symptoms (they are treated in different ways) can be eliminated with the help of physiotherapeutic procedures. Useful:
- diadynamic currents;
- electrophoresis and phonophoresis;
- magnetic therapy;
- laser treatment.
Physiotherapy procedures will give the greatest benefit in combination therapy, in combination with drugs.
Physiotherapy exercises
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis will not be effective without carrying out a complex of physical therapy prescribed by a doctor. All exercises are aimed at improving the mobility of the lower back, strengthening the muscular corset and increasing the stability of the spine. The complex must be carried out regularly.
The doctor usually prescribes the following exercises: bending in different directions, standing upright, walking on all fours back and forth, tensioning the abdominal muscles in the supine position.
Massage
Can be performed only after the exacerbation has been eliminated or during remission. Thanks to the procedure, you can achieve not only relaxation of spasmodic muscles, but also their strengthening. Massage is most effective after a bath. It should be performed by a specialist using the correct techniques: stroking, rubbing. The procedure should not be performed if there are open wounds on the back, if the person has been diagnosed with dermatological diseases or problems with blood circulation.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy solves the same tasks as massage, but uses slightly different techniques. You can't trust your spine to an amateur. An experienced specialist is required for the procedure, which will not harm.
Medication
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine one cannot do without drugs. When choosing them, the general condition of the body, the stage of development of the disease, is important. To combat osteochondrosis, there are the following most effective groups of drugs:
Analgesics.
- NSAIDs: These drugs eliminate the inflammation itself and the pain that accompanies it. Relieves swelling, normalizes body temperature.
- Muscle relaxants: These drugs are prescribed by a doctor and are used only when NSAIDs have failed. Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle spasms.
- Chondroprotectors: they keep the cartilage in good condition without allowing it to break. But they are only effective if this layer is not completely erased.
- Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are appointed last in the most advanced cases.
- Multivitamins and vitamins of group B - The presented preparations help to improve the functionality of NS.
- Antidepressants (to restore the patient's emotional background).
- Blockade of novocaine with hydrocortisone. They are placed directly inside the part of the back where the pain is coming from. Blocks are rarely performed, as they are capable of causing muscle atrophy.
- Preparations to improve blood circulation and microcirculation.
Topical drugs - ointments - have good efficacy and a minimum of side effects. If the patient uses folk remedies for therapy, then the drugs must continue to be taken.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be prevented if you follow simple rules of prevention:
- avoids hypothermia and infection;
- does not lift heavy objects;
- bags to be worn alternately on both shoulders;
- follow the drinking regime and eat well;
- keep body weight within normal limits;
- promptly treat congenital or acquired skeletal pathologies;
- go swimming, move more, perform a gymnastics complex for the lumbar region daily;
- undergo regular medical examinations.
Basic health care will help avoid complications of lumbar osteochondrosis, and there are many of them and it is difficult to cope with them.