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 in the intervertebral discs changes in degenerative dystrophic nature develop, spread over time to ligaments and bone tissue of the vertebrae of the lumbosacral spine.The acute process, against the background of lack of therapy, inevitably goes into chronic.
Degenerative disease can turn a healthy person into a disabled person.
A degree of osteochondrosis of the lumbar
Classify 4 degrees osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region.The disease development scheme is as follows:
The first degree.Inside the fibrous ring, damage is formed in the form of cracks where the content of the reactive nucleus penetrates, causing irritation.This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis.The deformation of the intervertebral discs is barely expressed and gives reflex pain with acute movements and lifting weights.Unpleasant sensations in the lower spine can be moderate and manifest:
- Lumbalgia - local, permanent pain in the lumbar spine;
- Lumbago - Sudden pain "close" in the lower back.
The second degree.The destructive processes in the fibrous ring continue.The distance from one vertebra to the other decreases, causing compression of nerve fibers.In the lower third of the back there is discomfort that sometimes develops in attacks of pain.
The third degree.During this period, the final destruction of the fibrous ring with the pressure nucleus is pressed.The vessels and nerve endings are compressed by intervertebral discs.An intervertebral hernia is formed.The spine is twisted, forming:
- Lordosis - arcuate deformity in the lumbar region, with the bulging of the spine forward;
- Kyphosis - a position in the opposite of the Lord when the rainbow is formed in an external direction;
- Scoliosis is a pathological bend on the spine to the right or left.
The last degreeOsteochondrosis is considered to be the most severe and dangerous.At that time, the spine was already deformed, normal motor activity was lost.In X -ray photos you can see the bones in the lumbar spine - the reaction of the body.Pain may be absent for a while, but it does not mean improvement.People suffering from 4 stages of osteochondrosis of the Sacral and Clarity Department often become disabled.The reason is that at this stage the process is complicated in nature.
The causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Among the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis are the following:
- Disproportionate load on the spine.Therefore, man is a direct being in the upright position, the load of the spine is considered normal.When performing different actions, you have to move, bend and deviate.To keep the body in the right state, the musculoskeletal system is in long-term tension mode.In a sitting position, the load on the spine grows and the back is minimal.When a person is in one position for a long time, the lumbar and sacral parts of the spine are overloaded and the muscles do not rest, which first appears to be the feeling of discomfort and then pain.This deforming factor creates the prerequisites for the development of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
- A sedentary lifestyle.It contributes to the development of various pathologies, including those affecting vertebrates.Long -term sitting causes deformation of cartilage tissue and reducing muscle tone, provoking the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Excessive physical activity.Like the lack of active physical activity and its superfluous, they do not carry anything good for the musculoskeletal system.Long, hard work, especially related to lifting and transferring weights, leads to overvoltage of the muscles of the back and causes the formation of vertebrates.
- Bridge disorders.Deformation of the discs between the vertebrae can be caused by improper walking.The reason again is the uneven load of the spine.The intervertebral discs lose elasticity, mobility and are therefore quite damaged.People of senior and elderly suffer from more similar problems.
- Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, injuries and infectious lesions.Often, osteochondrosis is a consequence of disorders of the musculoskeletal system that were available at birth.For example, when the cartilage tissues of the body are fragile by nature.In addition, spinal pathologies develop after traumatic damage and infectious processes, as in osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
- Flat legs.The signs of a "special" leg - the lack of seizure and prolapse of its arches.Those who have such a trait are often facing the problems of the spine.This is due to the increased load of the intervertebral discs when walking.Throughout their lives, they are subjected to increased physical impact during movement so that they quickly wear out
- Obesity.Excess weight is a problem and additional load for the body.All organs and systems suffer, including the spine.
- Pathological processes.Dysfunctions of different structures can adversely affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system.So the factors that provoke osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and deficiency of the digestive system.
- Incorrect lifestyle.Many people do not pay due attention to such simple and important things as physical activity, balanced nutrition and normal sleep.The body, which has existed in stress conditions for a long time, becomes weakened and vulnerable.Other pathologies that can occur on such "fertile" soil include lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar
Pathological changes in the lumbar spine are manifested by severe symptoms;
- Lowe's painThis is the most betrayal "signal" for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.It talks about the presence of "radicular syndrome" when the compression of the nerve endings of the spine causes pain in the lumbar region.The man becomes tired and irritable.Over time, the performance of simple and familiar actions becomes a big problem due to pain in the lumbar spine.If the intervertebral hernia is formed in the lower back, the pain is radiated at the lower leg, the back of the thigh and the foot.Over time, it becomes more difficult to sit and walk.The unpleasant sensations are not released even in a false position.Temporary relief can be alternated with periods of exacerbation;
- Dysfunction of the genitator system.They are manifested by pain in the kidney area, frequent urination.Deformation of the intervertebral discs causes shift of the lumbar region to the sacrum.This affects the work of internal reproductive organs in women, and in men it creates potency problems;
- Reducing the sensitivity of the legs in the leg area.It can be both partial and absolute.In this case, the reflexes of this part of the body are weakened.Progressive pathology leads to complete loss of sensitivity of the lower limbs;
- Wait violations.Pain in the lumbar region of osteochondrosis causes one to deviate in the direction opposite to the one where the nerve fibers are pressed.The condition does not allow long distances.A limping person is forced to stop from time to time, expecting a decrease in pain.Timely medical attention can save a person from disability.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Many wonder if osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is being treated and how this happens.When diagnosed and diagnosed, therapeutic tactics are determined.
There are different methods by which lumbar osteochondrosis is treated.Which of them is necessary and suitable for administering to cure the disease or to relieve a person's condition as much as possible, determines the doctor.
Someone is treated exclusively by folk remedies at home, forgetting that it can only be used with the approval of a healthcare professional and only as part of complex therapy.
Treatment of osteochondrosis drugs
Medicine therapy includes the use of:
- tablet forms;
- Injection solutions;
- External medicines - ointments and gels.
Medicines are prescribed that eliminate inflammatory processes and stop the pain in the lumbar region.They can be used at home.
Can be:
- analgesics;
- non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs;
- muscle spasm medicines (muscle relaxants);
- cartilage tissue restoration (chondroprotectors);
- Corticosteroids (drugs containing hormones, the action of which is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation)
- Vitamins.
The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor who sometimes prescribes tablets or mixtures that soothe the nervous system as an additional treatment.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Another common method that relieves the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is physiotherapy.By acting on the spine and lower back, it improves the processes of metabolism inflammatory.
Most often it is appointed:
- magnetic, laser and electrotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- shock wave method;
- Dutoenzor therapy;
- vibration massage;
- Treatment with balneo.
How many and what procedures will be needed - the doctor decides.
Physiotherapy has an effective effect when it comes to the initial stages of the pathology.But it, like other types of treatment, has contraindications.Therefore, appointing this method, the doctor takes into account many factors.
Medical gymnastics for lumbar osteochondrosis
The exercise complex that can be shown with lumbar osteochondrosis is aimed at restoring the mobility of this spine.
The main condition for its effectiveness is regularity.Exercises performed in case in a case 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 pelvic pain and more.
Surgery for osteochondrosis of lumbar
The surgical method is used in the presence of such severe complications as intervertebral hernia.Partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discoctomy), as provides the work protocol.
The operations for the operation are:
- severe and stable pain syndrome that cannot be removed for a month;
- Large sizes of hernia and its effect on the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis is easier to warn than for treatment.Like any pathology, this is potentially dangerous complications.It is important to understand that more or less complete to get rid of this pathology is possible at the most stages when the deforming effect on the intervertebral discs is minimal.In other cases, we can only talk about eliminating symptoms and maintaining your body condition, allowing you to live normally and work.