In case of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of the disease will be discussed in more detail, the mobility of a person is limited, the ability to lead a habitual 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.
While it was not so long ago that age-related degenerative processes were considered the main cause of pathology, many other factors causing the disease have now been clarified. Before starting treatment, you need 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 region that suffers the most, as it experiences enormous load when lifting weights while sitting.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are increasingly evident in young people as young as 30 years old. It is impossible to trigger the disease, because the complications are fraught with disability, paralysis of the lower limbs.
Main symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis is a deforming condition, 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 more often painful in the early stages and acute in 2-3 stages of development of the disease (with sharp movements the discomfort becomes stronger, and during bed rest it subsides);
- with osteochondrosis, feelings of weakness appear in the legs (tendon reflexes are lost in the lower extremities, 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 color (it turns blue). Sweating increases in the buttocks area. One of the signs of osteochondrosis in men of the lumbar spine is considered 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 the blood vessels. The arteries start to spasm (the process becomes permanent over time). This condition is characterized by pain in the muscles of the leg and thighs when walking. If the blood vessels are pinched and spasmed for a long time, 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, urination |
| Vertebral | It is characterized by pain of varying intensity and location. It occurs after the load on the lumbar spine: tilting, lifting heavy objects. With a herniated disc, the person may lose sensitivity in the legs. In this case, changes in the spine occur: changes in posture, the person slumps, the gait becomes problematic |
| Root | The vertebrae become unstable, compressing not only the nerve roots, but also the blood vessels. A symptom of the syndrome is pain at the site of pinching the extremities. 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 bodily tissues surrounding the spine. The blood begins to stagnate, the process of intoxication begins. With radicular syndrome, pain is observed in other joints. 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 with osteochondrosis of the lumbar part of the back should have a comprehensive examination to determine the severity of the disease and determine the treatment regimen.
Degrees of lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis develops gradually. There are such stages of progression of pathology:
- First. In this case, the nucleus pulposus, located inside the disc, begins to move and change. Cracks appear on the fibrous ring. The nerve roots become irritated, which is signaled by back pain. At this stage of osteochondrosis, the discomfort is still local in nature, that is, symptoms are felt only in the area of the damaged disc. Sometimes it is lumbago, but in the first stage of development there is often a dull, constant pain. Discomfort in osteochondrosis increases after the 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, because he quickly gets tired, feels severe discomfort in the lumbar part. The pain spreads to the thighs, legs, buttocks. The person has increased sweating.
- Third. At this stage of the disease, the pain intensifies several times, as the fibrous ring breaks. In this case, the nucleus pulposus leaves its place and a hernia is formed. The patient experiences sharp pain and lumbago when the tissues and nerve roots are compressed. The discomfort becomes constant and unbearable. The work of internal organs is disturbed.
- Fourth. A deformity of the spine occurs. It is very difficult for a person to move, but the pain symptom becomes less pronounced. This does not mean at all that the pathology is no longer developing. This state is a signal that a person will soon be sitting in a wheelchair. In addition, in the area of the damaged disc, osteophytes develop, further aggravating the condition, the muscles atrophy.
If the development of the disease is not controlled and therapy is not started on 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 taken to the last stage. It quickly becomes chronic, because even the most effective treatment can only stop the development of pathology or slow it down.
If there is severe pain in the back area, and a person cannot move normally, this indicates an exacerbation of the pathological process. Most often this occurs in patients who do not follow the recommendations of doctors. If an exacerbation has occurred, a person should follow these rules:
- It is better to completely abandon physical activity for the time necessary to restore the normal functionality of the body. It is best to lie down in a comfortable position that does not cause discomfort. It is good if the patient uses a hard mattress, because the body in this case (the lumbar region in particular) does not sag.
- To minimize the load on the back, a person can use a semi-rigid corset. This will limit sudden movements.
- To reduce the severity of pain associated with osteochondrosis, you should slowly bend your 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 it 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 anti-inflammatory ointment.
It is not possible to warm the affected area on the first day after the onset of an exacerbation. Dry heat is only applied on the second day, when the pain peak has passed. Otherwise, the tissue edema will increase, and the condition of the patient with osteochondrosis will worsen.
Diagnosis of diseases
Lumbar osteochondrosis requires a serious approach and complex therapy. It becomes easier for the patient if he takes the right drugs, performs the exercises prescribed by the doctor. To choose a treatment regimen, the patient must be examined. The following diagnostic methods stand out:
- Radiography. If the lumbar joints are affected, the x-ray assessment is considered the main one. The photo is taken in several projections. On it you can see the damage to the discs, the condition of the spinal canal. Each projection must be perpendicular to the previous one.
- MRI or CT. The presented procedures help to identify more precisely what factors triggered the development of osteochondrosis, in what condition are not only the vertebrae, but also soft tissues, blood vessels and 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 actually develops osteochondrosis.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
If the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is not carried out, the patient develops complications such as protrusion, spondylarthrosis, hernia, inflammation of the sciatic nerve, narrowing of the spinal canal and dysfunction of the pelvic organs. The person also starts to limp, has paresis and paralysis of the legs.
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine involves several tasks. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the inflammation that causes pain in this disease. Naturally, you need to stop the unpleasant symptoms themselves, as well as strengthen the muscle corset in the lumbar region, the lower extremities.
Therapy should relieve swelling and soft tissue spasms. 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 the osteochondrosis of the lumbar regions of patients will be treated for a long time, you need to choose the methods that will give a good effect and cause minimal damage. Medication, 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 surgery. The help of a surgeon is necessary in the presence of complications that impair the functionality of the organs, a spinal hernia. Emergency operation is performed if there is a risk of developing paralysis of the lower extremities.
The most effective intervention is to remove the damaged disk. The microsurgical method of treating osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine using an endoscope is also popular. This procedure is less traumatic for the patient and allows him to recover in the shortest possible time.
Physiotherapy
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 give the maximum benefit in combination therapy, in combination with drugs.
Physiotherapy exercises
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis will not be effective without performing an exercise therapy complex prescribed by a doctor. All the exercises are aimed at improving the mobility of the lower back, strengthening the muscle corset and increasing the stability of the spine. The complex should be carried out regularly.
The doctor usually prescribes the following exercises: bending in different directions, standing, crawling back and forth, tension of the abdominal muscles in supine position.
Massage
It can be done 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 more effective after bathing. It must be done by a specialist, applying the right techniques: caresses, rubbing. You cannot perform the procedure if there are open wounds on the back, a 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 an amateur. An experienced specialist is needed for the procedure, which will not hurt.
Drugs
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, drugs cannot be dispensed with. When choosing them, the general condition of the body, the stage of development of the disease matters. To combat osteochondrosis, there are the following groups of the most effective drugs:
Analgesics.
- NSAIDs - These drugs eliminate the inflammation itself and the pain that goes with it. They relieve swelling, normalize body temperature.
- Muscle relaxants - These drugs are prescribed by a doctor and are only used if NSAIDs have failed. Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle spasms.
- Chondroprotectors-They keep the cartilage in good condition without allowing it to break down. But they are only effective if this layer is not completely erased.
- Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are awarded last in the most advanced cases.
- Multivitamins and B vitamins - The presented preparations help to improve the functionality of the 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. Blockages are rarely performed because they are capable of causing muscle atrophy.
- Preparations for improving blood circulation and microcirculation.
Topical drugs - ointments - work well and have minimal side effects. If the patient uses folk remedies for therapy, the drugs should continue to be taken.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be prevented if you follow simple prevention rules:
- avoid hypothermia and infection;
- do not lift heavy objects;
- bags to be carried alternately on both shoulders;
- observe the alcohol consumption regime and eat well;
- keep body weight within normal limits;
- timely treat congenital or acquired skeletal pathologies;
- go swimming, move more, perform a gymnastic complex for the lumbar region every day;
- undergo regular medical examinations.
Basic care of one's own health will help to avoid complications of lumbar osteochondrosis, and there are many of them and it is difficult to cope with them.