Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine symptoms and treatment

In the case of lumbar spine osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of the disease will be further discussed, a person's mobility is limited, the ability to lead a normal lifestyle. Almost half of all patients have complaints of pain in this part of the back. According to the results of Survey Options A, lumbar osteochondrosis is in second place after respiratory diseases.

If until recently age-related degenerative processes were considered the main cause of pathology, now many more factors causing the disease have been clarified. Before starting therapy, you need to understand what osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is.

The disease is a pathological change in the intervertebral discs, accompanied by ligament dystrophy, destruction of the vertebral bodies themselves. Regions is the lumbar region that suffers above all, as it experiences an extraordinary load when lifting weights in a sitting position.

Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are increasingly manifested in young people who are barely 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 osteochondrosis

Lumbar osteochondrosis is a deforming pathology, which in most cases is a natural aging process. But high physical activity in the back, 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 lumbar spine osteochondrosis, the symptoms are as follows:

• pain is most often painful in the early and acute stages in 2-3 stages of disease development (with the application of any sudden movement, the discomfort becomes stronger, and during bed rest it goes away);
• with osteochondrosis, weakness appears in the legs (tendon reflexes are lost in the lower extremities, which is clearly seen during neurological tests);
• curvature of the lumbar region;
• violation of urination and defecation (depending on where the spinal cord is constricted).

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 shade (turns blue). Sweating increases in the buttocks area. Erectile dysfunction is considered one of the signs of osteochondrosis in men in the lumbar region.

With lumbar spine osteochondrosis, the symptoms vary in severity. Some manifestations can be combined into syndromes.

Syndrome	Feature
Ischemic	Here, signs of lumbar osteochondrosis appear due to vascular damage. 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 compressed and spasmed for a long time, then the nutrition of the pelvic organs is disturbed, as is their functionality. In women, the pathology causes problems with the menstrual cycle, the ability to conceive a child, urination
Vertebral	Characterized by pain of varying intensity and localization. It arises after the load on the lumbar spine: tilting, lifting heavy objects. If a disc herniation occurs, then the person may lose sensitivity in the foot. In this case, changes occur in the spine: changes in behavior, the person fails, walking becomes problematic
Radical	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 is noticed in other joints. In addition to these symptoms, a feeling of "crawling" appears in the lower back (waist). In particularly difficult cases, patients can no longer move independently

People suffering from osteochondrosis of the lower back should undergo a thorough examination to find out how severe the disease is and to determine the therapy regimen.

Degrees of lumbar osteochondrosis

Lumbar osteochondrosis develops gradually. There are such stages of pathology progression:

1. First. In this case, the pulposus nucleus, which is located inside the disc, begins to move and change. Cracks appear in the fibrous ring. Nerve roots are irritated, which is signaled by back pain. At this stage of osteochondrosis, the discomfort is still local in nature, i. e. the symptoms are felt only in the area of ​​the damaged disc. Sometimes it is a lumbago, but in the first stage of development, there is often a persistent dull pain. Discomfort in osteochondrosis increases after load on the lumbar spine.
2. Second. This is where the destruction of the fibrous ring occurs. The mobility of damaged vertebrae increases as muscle tissue becomes tense. The distance between them decreases, they can be shifted relative to each other. It becomes more difficult for a person to move, as he quickly gets tired, feels severe discomfort in the middle part. The pain spreads to the thighs, legs, buttocks. The person has increased sweating.
3. Third. At this stage of the disease, the pain intensifies many times because the fibrous ring ruptures. In this case, the pulposus nucleus leaves its place and a hernia is formed. The patient feels acute pain and lumbago when the tissues and nerve roots are compressed. The discomfort becomes constant and unbearable. The work of the internal organs is interrupted.
4. Fourth. Spinal deformity occurs. Summer is very difficult for a person to move, but the pain symptoms become less pronounced. This does not mean at all that the pathology is no longer developing. This condition is a signal that a person will soon be sitting in a wheelchair. In addition, in the area of ​​the damaged disc, osteophytes increase, worsening the condition even more, the muscles atrophy.

If the development of the disease is not controlled and therapy is not started in time, the vertebrae will simply collapse and restore them without a dangerous and difficult operation will not work.

What to do if the disease gets worse

Lumbar osteochondrosis is a serious disease that should not be taken to the final 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 back pain, and the person cannot move normally, this indicates a worsening of the pathological process. Most often it occurs in those patients who do not follow the recommendations of doctors. If a deterioration has occurred, a person should follow these rules:

1. Better it is better to completely abandon physical activity for the time it takes to restore normal body function. It is better to lie down in a comfortable position that does not cause discomfort. It is good if the patient uses a firm mattress, as the body in this case (lumbar region in particular) does not fall.
2. To minimize the load on the back, a person can use a semi-rigid corset. Will limit sudden movements.
3. To reduce the severity of the pain in osteochondrosis, you should slowly bend the leg at the knee to the affected side. This will help relieve muscle tension and relieve stuck nerve tissue.
4. In difficult cases, the applicant can be used, but it must be used with caution. The procedure is performed twice a day for 30 minutes.
5. After a massage that gradually restores normal blood circulation and muscle tone, you should use an anti-inflammatory ointment.

it is impossible to heat the affected area on the first day after the onset of a deterioration. Dry heat is applied only on the second day, when the peak of pain has passed. Otherwise, the tissue edema will increase, and the patient's condition with osteochondrosis will worsen.

Disease Diagnosis

Lumbar osteochondrosis requires a serious approach and complex therapy. It becomes easier for the patient if he takes the right medication, performs the exercises prescribed by the doctor. To choose a therapy regimen, the patient must be examined. The following diagnostic methods stand out:

1. X-rays. If the lumbar joints are affected, radiographic evaluation is considered the most important. The photo was taken in several projections. In it you can see the disc damage, the condition of the spinal canal. Each projection must be perpendicular to the previous one.
2. MRI or CT. The presented procedures help to identify more precisely which factors have caused the development of osteochondrosis, in what condition are not only the vertebrae, but also the soft tissues, blood vessels, nerve endings. At the same time, the person does not feel any discomfort.
3. External examination by palpation of the affected area and neurological tests.

Only a thorough diagnosis will determine if a person really develops osteochondrosis.

Treatment of medial osteochondrosis

If the therapy of lumbar osteochondrosis is not performed, the patient develops complications such as elongation, spondyloarthritis, hernia, sciatica, narrowing of the spinal canal, dysfunction of the pelvic organs. The person also starts to limp, he has paresis and paralysis of the legs.

Treating lumbar spine osteochondrosis sets itself 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, as well as to strengthen the muscular corsets in the lumbar region, the lower limbs.

Therapy should relieve swelling and soft tissue spasm. The patient prescribes tools and procedures prescribed to improve organ function, regulate blood circulation, restore metabolic processes in the body, and also expand range of motion. Since osteochondrosis of the lumbar regions of patients will be treated for a long time, you should choose those methods that will give a good effect and cause a minimum of damage. Medications, alternative treatment, physiotherapy, LF and other methods are used.

Surgery

In advanced cases, when the development of the disease has reached its final stage, lumbar osteochondrosis requires surgical intervention. The help of a surgeon is needed in the presence of complications that impair organ function, a vertebral hernia. An emergency operation is performed if there is a risk of developing lower extremity paralysis.

The most effective intervention is to remove the damaged disc. Also common is the microsurgical method of treating osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine using an endoscope. This procedure is less traumatic for the patient and allows him to recover in the shortest time possible.

Physiotherapy procedures

With lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms (they are treated in different ways) can be eliminated with the help of physiotherapy procedures. Useful:

• diadynamic currents;
• electrophoresis and phonophoresis;
• magnetic therapy;
• laser treatment.

Physiotherapy procedures will provide maximum benefit in combination therapy, in combination with medication.

Physiotherapy exercises

Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis will not be effective without performing a complex of exercise 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 should be performed regularly.

The doctor usually prescribes the following exercises: bending in different directions, in one standing position, walking forward and backwards on all fours, abdominal muscle tension in the supine position.

Massage

Can only be performed after deterioration 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 the bath. Must be performed by a specialist using the correct techniques: stroking, rubbing. The procedure should not be performed if there are open sores on the back, the person is 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 not trust your back to an amateur. An experienced specialist is required for the procedure, who will not hurt.

Medications

In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, drugs can not be dispensed. When choosing them, the general condition of the body, the stage of development of the disease is important. To fight osteochondrosis, there are the following most effective groups of drugs:

Analgesics.

1. NSAID-These drugs eliminate the inflammation and pain that accompanies it. They relieve swelling, normalize body temperature.
2. Muscle Relaxers-These medications are prescribed by a doctor and are used only when NSAIDs have not arrived. Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle spasms.
3. Chondroprotectors- They keep the cartilage in good condition without allowing it to break down. But they are effective only if this layer is not completely erased.
4. Steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. They are assigned the latter in the most advanced cases.
5. Multivitamins and B vitamins - The presented preparations help to improve the functionality of the NS.
6. Antidepressants (to restore the patient's emotional background).
7. Novocaine Blockade with Hydrocortisone. They are placed directly inside the back where the pain comes from. Blockades are rarely done, as they are capable of provoking muscle atrophy.
8. Preparations for improving blood circulation and microcirculation.

Day medications - ointments - have good efficacy and a minimum of side effects. If the patient uses folk remedies for therapy, medication should continue to be taken.

Prevention of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be prevented if you follow simple preventative rules:

• avoid hypothermia and infection;
• do not lift heavy objects;
• bags to be worn alternately on both shoulders;
• follow your drinking regimen and eat well;
• keep body weight within normal limits;
• timely treat congenital or acquired skeletal pathologies;
• go swimming, move more, perform a gym complex for the waist region every day;
• undergo regular medical examinations.

Taking care of your basic health will help avoid the complications of lumbar osteochondrosis, and there are many of them, and it is difficult to cope with them.