Lumbar spine osteochondrosis is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system. It is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joint and bone tissue. Lumbar osteochondrosis means that the tissue damage occurred exactly in the lumbar region and the sacrum, so the patient experiences the appropriate symptoms. Lumbosacral spine osteochondrosis causes significant discomfort to a person. It negatively affects not only the condition of the back but also the lower limbs. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine should be checked by a specialist - a neurologist or traumatologist. This complex disease should not be treated alone or on the advice of relatives and friends. Self-healing can only aggravate the process and cause even more damage to the spine.
High quality treatment of osteochondrosis is performed in the hospital. There are professionals who specialize in eliminating the problem.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: causes
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is considered a disease of the elderly. Recently, however, lumbosacral osteochondrosis has been increasingly diagnosed in young people (25–30 years of age). This is due to the fact that many young people lead a sedentary lifestyle and spend a lot of time in front of the computer. Another factor is the constant stress a young person experiences in the modern world. Combined with inadequate nutrition, the predominance of fast food, this leads to deterioration not only of the spine but of the whole body.
Spinal lumbar osteochondrosis is a type of pathology that is localized in the lumbar region. This is one of the most common types of osteochondrosis. The exact causes of the disease are not fully known, but there are provocative factors, the presence of which significantly increases the likelihood of developing osteochondrosis. These include:
- sedentary work;
- curvature of posture;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excessive stress on the spine (professional sports, regular weight lifting, hard physical work);
- overweight;
- back injuries;
- age (over the years, spinal tissues go through natural aging and thinning processes);
- inflammatory diseases of the joints (arthritis, arthrosis, scoliosis, etc. );
- diseases associated with metabolic disorders;
- Unhealthy lifestyle;
- hereditary predisposition.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis is quite difficult to identify at an early stage. The symptoms and treatment of the disease depend on the degree of damage to the spinal tissues. Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear gradually, starting with minor discomfort and, in advanced cases, the appearance of acute pain. It is impossible to delay treatment for lumbar osteochondrosis. As the disease develops, the symptoms only worsen, causing more discomfort to the person. Even in the case of a severe acute period, a person is hurt by elevation, so lumbar osteochondrosis should be treated immediately. The symptoms of the disease are:
- pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the most prominent sign of pathology. They can gradually recover, become stronger during movements (bending or weight lifting). As the disease progresses, the intensity of pain increases and becomes unbearable during an attack of acute osteochondrosis;
- violation of lumbar spine mobility. Pathological processes in the spine affect the ability of this department to move: it is difficult for a person to bend, turn to the side, sit with an even back;
- disturbance of the lower extremities. Violation of gait, numbness, tingling, feeling of "goosebumps", muscle weakness occur in the legs;
- paleness of the skin is observed, which is associated with a violation of the blood supply to the affected area;
- sexual dysfunction (possible in severe cases).
Lumbosacral spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and degrees
There are four stages in the development of lumbar osteochondrosis. Symptoms and treatment depend directly on the degree of osteochondrosis: the intensity of the disease manifestations increases as the dystrophic process progresses, which is important to consider when conducting therapy.
Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is classified as follows:
- in grade 1 osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, there is a mild discomfort in the lumbar region. These can occur after strenuous physical exertion or a long day at work. A person may feel pain in the back or buttocks area as well as a tingling sensation in the lower back;
- grade 2 osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is more pronounced. In stage 2, the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc begins. The distance between the vertebrae narrows or stretches, and the intervertebral disc extends beyond the vertebrae. Compression of the nerve roots of the spine occurs, which is manifested in significant low back pain, which is reflected in the area of the buttocks, thighs, and lower legs. The person may also feel a burning sensation or coldness in the lower back;
- grade 3 osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is characterized by permanent destruction of the annulus fibrosus. The contents of the intervertebral disc come out - a hernia is formed. The nerve roots become more compressed, an inflammatory process occurs accompanied by strong, constant pain in the lumbar region;
- grade 4 osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is accompanied by complete atrophy of the cartilage and abnormal proliferation of the vertebrae. This is the body’s compensatory response to intervertebral disc damage. At this stage, the pain usually goes away, however, this indicator does not indicate an improvement in the condition. The proliferation of vertebrae significantly impairs spinal mobility and can lead to disability.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of exacerbation
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be triggered by sharp movement, weight lifting and hypothermia. Acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis may increase gradually or occur suddenly. Most often, exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by acute severe pain. During an attack, muscle cramps occur in the lumbar and chest spine, which interferes with back movement to prevent increased pain. In the acute period, the pain extends to the buttocks and legs, which are communicated by the nerve fibers to the affected area of the spine. A person is forced to take a certain position and not change it (usually it is a horizontal position with bent sore legs). Even minor movements such as coughing can cause new pain.
Exacerbation of lumbar spine osteochondrosis, which should be started immediately, may take several days or weeks (depending on how quickly appropriate therapy is started). In a special hospital, acute osteochondrosis is treated immediately after the patient is treated. The hospital’s admissions department is open 24 hours a day, so the patient can get help at any time. Blockages are performed to relieve acute pain - a painkiller is introduced into the affected area, which contributes to a significant improvement in the condition. After the end of the acute period, the main treatment is started.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and diagnosis
Treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis begins with diagnosis. You need to know if this is true of osteochondrosis and the extent of the tissue damage. Lumbar osteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-ray examination. The image clearly shows the condition of the intervertebral disc and vertebrae. The doctor determines the location of the lesion and evaluates the development of the disease. If necessary, additional MRI or CT scans may be prescribed to clarify the details.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made at the hospital’s diagnostic center, where everything can be found for an accurate diagnosis. Experienced staff uses modern equipment that allows the patient’s illness to be identified quickly and correctly. The results of the diagnosis determine how neurologists and physiotherapists treat lumbar osteochondrosis.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medication
After diagnosis, all patients are interested in the question, "How can lumbar spine osteochondrosis be cured? " Treatment of osteochondrosis in the lumbosacral region will be complex and consist of medication and physiotherapy. In a hospital, all components of treatment are determined by the appropriate specialist based on the individual characteristics of the patient. The symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine allow the selection of the most optimal therapy that will be most effective.
Medical treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis includes several drugs, each of which performs its own function:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: relieve pain and inflammation;
- painkillers: relieve severe pain that the previous group of medications cannot cope with;
- muscle relaxants: relieves muscle cramps;
- chondroprotectors: stop the degenerative process, promote the regeneration of spinal tissues;
- vitamin complexes: normalize nerve conduction, improve the body's protective properties.
All medicines, their dosage and duration of use are strictly determined by your doctor.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: treatment with physiotherapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine involves a physiotherapy course. This is also an important part of treatment, as is drug therapy. Some patients are interested in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine without physiotherapy. However, it will not be possible to eradicate the disease by using drugs alone. Medication alleviates the pain, which in any case returns and fairly quickly.
In the hospital, physiotherapy for osteochondrosis is performed by trained professionals in the rehabilitation ward. The patient prescribes a rehabilitation course, taking into account his abilities and needs. Physiotherapy includes:
- massage for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
- spine stretching;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- reflexology (acupuncture);
- hardware exposure methods (electrophoresis, amplitude, phonophoresis, etc. ).
Osteochondrosis can only be cured with complex treatment. Low back pain usually resolves within a few days of starting treatment (depending on the extent of the disease). However, this is not a reason to stop treatment. For best results and to rule out a rapid recurrence of the pathology, you should complete a full course prepared by professionals. By using effective treatment methods, professional physicians significantly improve the patient’s condition, allowing him or her to return to a full life.