Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine - symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, 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, spreading over time to the ligaments and bone tissue of the lumbosacral spine.Acute processes, if not treated, inevitably become chronic.

Degenerative diseases can turn a healthy person into a disabled person.

Degrees of lumbar osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is classified into 4 degrees.The development of the disease is as follows:

First degree.On the inside of the fibrous ring, damage forms in the form of cracks, which penetrate the contents of the nucleus pulposus, causing irritation.This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis.Deformation of the intervertebral discs is almost invisible and causes reflex pain when making sudden movements and lifting heavy objects.Unpleasant sensations in the lower spine can be moderate and appear on their own:

• lumbodynia – long-lasting local pain in the lumbar spine;
• back pain – sudden “shooting” pain in the lower back.

Second degree.Destructive processes in the fibrous ring continue.The distance between one segment and another becomes smaller, causing nerve fibers to become pinched.There is discomfort in the lower third of the back, which sometimes develops into attacks of pain.

Third degree.During this period, final destruction of the fibrous ring occurs with extrusion of the nucleus pulposus.Blood vessels and nerve endings are compressed by intervertebral discs.An intervertebral hernia forms.The spine curves, forming:

• lordosis - curved deformity in the lumbar region, with the spine convex forward;
• kyphosis - the opposite position to lordosis, when the curvature is formed outward;
• Scoliosis is a pathological curvature of the spine to the right or left.

Last degreeosteochondrosis is considered the most severe and dangerous.By this time, the spine is already deformed, normal motor activity is lost.X-rays show bone growth in the lumbar spine - the body's response.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, at this stage the process is complicated.

Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Among the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis are the following:

1. Disproportionate load on the spine.Humans are upright creatures, therefore in a standing position the load on the spine is considered normal.When performing various actions, you need to move, bend and unbend.To maintain the body in the desired state, the musculoskeletal system is in a mode of prolonged tension.In the sitting position, the load on the spine increases, and in the position lying on the back it becomes minimal.When a person remains in one position for a long time, the lumbar and sacral spine become overloaded and the muscles do not rest, leading first to feelings of discomfort and then pain.These deforming factors create the prerequisites for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
2. Sedentary lifestyle.This contributes to the development of various pathologies, including those affecting the spinal structures.Prolonged sitting causes deformation of cartilage tissue and a decrease in muscle tone, provoking the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
3. Excessive physical activity.Neither the lack of active physical activity nor its excess brings benefits to the musculoskeletal system.Prolonged hard work, especially associated with lifting and carrying heavy objects, causes excessive strain on the back muscles and leads to the formation of spinal hernias.
4. Posture disorders.Deformation of the discs between the vertebrae can also be caused by improper gait.The cause is again an uneven load on the spine.Intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and mobility, making them more susceptible to damage.Older and elderly people suffer from similar problems more than others.
5. Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, injuries and infectious lesions.Often, osteochondrosis is the result of disorders of the musculoskeletal system that are present at birth.For example, when the body's cartilage tissue is basically fragile.In addition, spinal pathologies develop after traumatic injuries and infectious processes, such as in osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
6. Flat feet.Signs of “special” feet are the absence of curves and drooping arches.Those with this characteristic often face spinal problems.This is due to the increased load on the intervertebral discs when walking.Throughout their lives, they are exposed to increased physical impact when moving, so they tire quickly
7. Obesity.Excess weight is a problem and an additional burden on the body.All organs and systems suffer, including the spine.
8. Pathological process.Dysfunction of various structures can adversely affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system.So, the triggering factors for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems, and dysfunction of the digestive system.
9. Wrong lifestyle.Many people pay little attention to simple and important things such as physical activity, balanced nutrition and normal sleep.Organisms that are under stressful conditions for a long time become weak and vulnerable.Among other pathologies that can arise on such “fertile” soil is lumbar osteochondrosis.

Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis

Pathological changes in the lumbar spine are manifested by severe symptoms;

• Lower back painis the most striking “signal” of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.He spoke of the presence of a “radicular syndrome”, when compression of the spinal nerve endings causes pain in the lumbar region.The person becomes tired and irritable.Over time, performing simple and familiar actions becomes a big problem due to pain in the lumbar spine.If an intervertebral hernia has formed in the lumbar region, the pain radiates to the lower leg, back of the thigh and foot.Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to sit and walk.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 as pain in the kidney area and frequent urge to urinate.Deformation of the intervertebral discs causes displacement of the lumbar region relative to the sacrum.This affects the function of the internal reproductive organs in women, and causes potency problems in men;
• decreased sensitivity of the feet in the foot area.This can be partial or absolute.At the same time, the reflexes of this part of the body weaken.Progressive pathology causes complete loss of sensation in the lower extremities;
• gait disturbance.Pain in the lumbar region in osteochondrosis causes a person to deviate when walking in the opposite direction to where the nerve fibers are pinched.These conditions make it impossible to walk long distances.A person who is limping is forced to stop from time to time, waiting for the pain to subside.Timely medical assistance can save a person from disability.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Many people wonder whether lumbar osteochondrosis is treated and how it occurs.When a diagnosis is made and a diagnosis is made, therapeutic tactics are determined.

There are various methods of treating lumbar osteochondrosis.Which ones are necessary and recommended to be used to cure an illness or alleviate a person's condition as much as possible is determined by the doctor.

A person treats himself exclusively with folk remedies, at home, forgetting that they can be used only with the approval of a medical specialist and only as part of complex therapy.

Drug treatment of osteochondrosis

Drug therapy involves the use of:

• tablet form;
• injection solution;
• preparations for external use - ointments and gels.

Medicines are prescribed to eliminate inflammation and relieve pain in the lumbar region.They can be used at home.

This could be:

• analgesic;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• muscle spasm medications (muscle relaxants);
• means for restoring cartilage tissue (chondroprotectors);
• corticosteroids (hormone-containing drugs whose action is aimed at eliminating pain and inflammation)
• vitamin.

The course of treatment is determined by the doctor, who, as additional treatment, sometimes prescribes pills or drugs that calm the nervous system.

Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis

Another common method that relieves the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is physiotherapy.By affecting the spine and lower back, it improves metabolic and recovery processes.

Most often prescribed:

• magnet, laser and electrotherapy;
• phonophoresis;
• shock wave method;
• detensor therapy;
• vibration massage;
• balneotherapy.

The doctor decides how many and what procedures are necessary.

Physiotherapy is effective in the early stages of pathology.But it, like any other type of treatment, has contraindications.Therefore, when prescribing this method, doctors take into account many factors.

Therapeutic exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis

A set of physical exercises that may be indicated for lumbar osteochondrosis is aimed at restoring the mobility of this part of the spine.

Regularity is considered the main condition for its effectiveness.Exercises done occasionally will not give the desired effect.

If the body is already experiencing complications due to 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 pain in the pelvic area and above it.

Surgical intervention for lumbar osteochondrosis

Surgical methods are used if there are severe complications such as intervertebral hernia.Removal of part or all of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is performed according to the surgical protocol.

Indications for surgery are:

• severe, persistent pain that cannot be relieved with medication for a month;
• the large size of the hernia and its effect on the spinal cord.

Osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to treat.Like any pathology, this disease is potentially dangerous with serious complications.It is important to understand that more or less complete relief from this pathology is possible at the very initial stages, when the effect of deformation on the intervertebral discs is minimal.In other cases, we can only talk about eliminating symptoms and maintaining a body condition that allows a person to live and work normally.