Osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathologies in the spine.In this disease, the cartilage tissue of the column and intervertebral discs are affected.Very often, osteochondrosis affects the lumbar region, since it is the maximum load when walking, sitting, running and other activities.
If the treatment does not begin over time, the disease can cause radiculitis, intervertebral hernia, lumbago, ishias, disability.
Stages of development
The disease is usually divided into several stages:
- First stage- There are minor changes in intervertebral discs, the spinal column does not deform, a person feels a slight pain in the lower back.
- Stage 2- The pain in the affected area becomes stronger, the violations on the intervertebral discs become more notable.
- Stage 3- There are intervertebral hernias, the spinal column is deformed.The patient feels severe pain in the affected area.
- Fourth stage- It becomes difficult for a person walking and making any movement.The pain occurs with a slight movement.At this stage, the latter, the patient receives disabilities, as a rule.
Causes
Most of the time, people whose profession or type of activity are associated with physical effort and large loads in the lumbar department: builders, engines, public service workers and athletes are subject to osteochondrosis.In addition, the pathology can occur in teachers, ATMs, office workers, since they spend most of the time in a sitting position.
There are many factors that affect the appearance of osteochondrosis:
- Lack of physical effort, performing a sedentary lifestyle.
- Strong load in the lumbar region.
- Joint diseases and spine.
- Lumbar column injuries.
- Flat feet or club foot.
- Obesity.
- Poster disorders, inclined.
- Scoliosis or kyphosis.
- Long -term hypothermia.
- Age -related changes in the spine.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Some internal diseases of cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems.
- Inadequate nutrition.
Symptoms
The main signs of lower back osteochondrosis are:
- Strong painful pain in the lower back, sometimes giving up on the leg and intensifying when performing any movement, sneezing, coughing, etc.
- Constant tension of the back muscles.
- The inability to straighten the back after a long stay in the same position.
- Unpleasant sensations when tilting or extension of the back.
- Lights in the lower back.
- Loss of sensitivity in buttocks, hips.
- Chicken skin, a sensation of tingling in the legs.
- Numbness of the legs and feet.
- The constant chilling of the feet and the feeling of cold on the legs.
- Varicose veins.
- Violation of power in men.
- Irregular menstruation in women.
The main symptom of pathology is pain, when the appearance of which a doctor urges urgently.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis begins with an exhaustive examination of the patient and the collection of an anamnesis: the doctor asks the patient about cases of osteochondrosis in gender, chronic diseases, lifestyle, type of activity, joint diseases and spine.
In addition, the specialist prescribes instrumental diagnostic methods, among which:
- X -Ray of the lumbar region- It allows you to detect the presence of pathology and the degree of vertebral damage.
- Computed tomography (CT)- A more precise research method that allows you to determine the damage to the intervertebral discs, the degree of change, the degree of deformation of the spine.
- Magnetic resonance- It allows you to study the intervertebral discs thoroughly, it provides information on minor disorders in the spine, it is used in difficult cases or if the image of the exam using the CT or X -ray exam is not clear.
- Myelography- A type of diagnosis in which a contrast agent is used to detect intervertebral hernias.
According to the data, the specialist determines the degree of pathology and prescribes the necessary treatment.
Treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out in an integral way.The necessary medications and procedures are only prescribed by a doctor, strictly individually.
First, the patient is prescribed a series of NSAIDs based on non -steroid anti -inflammatory drugs that can relieve inflammation and eliminate pain in the affected area.They are also prescribed condoprotectors, medications that stop the process of destruction of the cartilage and the feed cartilage tissue.Vitamins that improve the condition of the entire body are prescribed as additional medications.
For many diseases of the spine, including osteochondrosis, physiotherapy is prescribed.Procedures can improve blood circulation in the lesion, relieve muscle tension, eliminate pain and inflammation.With osteochondrosis, electrophoresis, acupuncture, magnetic therapy and other procedures are prescribed.
The patient is also prescribed massage, mud baths or hydrotherapy with which it is possible to relieve the tension and fatigue of the muscles, relax them and improve blood flow.Fango mud baths can eliminate the inflammatory process.
In the early stages of the disease, exercise therapy is prescribed: a color gymnastics, whose performance helps restore the mobility of the spine, to strengthen the muscles of the back.In 3 and 4 stages of osteochondrosis, this type of treatment is not used.
The diet is very important in the treatment of the disease, it is necessary to include diet products rich in minerals: fruits, vegetables, porridge.Be sure to eat low -fat meat, since it is rich in protein: it will be more useful to eat chicken or turkey meat.It will be useful to use fermented dairy products.It is recommended to reduce the amount of fatty, sharp, smoked and fried dishes.It is important to observe the mode of alcohol consumption: Be sure to drink at least 1 liter of clean water per day.
With the osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the treatment in a sanatorium will be useful, where experts throughout the patient's stay in the complex will treat the disease, and the patient is constantly under the supervision of doctors.
If conservative treatment methods do not help, then the surgical treatment method is used.During the operation, the affected wheels or cartilage are replaced by an implant.And if there is an intervertebral hernia, then it is eliminated.
Prevention
- Limit the load in the lower back.
- Practice sports, do morning exercises.
- Eat well.
- Try to avoid lumbar column injuries.
- Avoid lower back hypothermia.
- With a long seat, change the body's position more frequently, lift yourself regularly and perform simple exercises to heat or simply walk.
- Save the right posture, do not run out.
- In the case of Club -FOOT or FAT -FEET, use special orthopedic templates that reduce the load in the spine.