Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, whose symptoms and treatment 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, which over time spread to the ligaments and bone tissue of the vertebrae of the lumbosacral spine.An acute process, in the absence of therapy, inevitably becomes chronic.

A degenerative disease can turn a healthy person into a disabled person.

Degrees of lumbar osteochondrosis.

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

First grade.In the internal part of the annulus fibrosus, damage forms in the form of cracks, into which the contents of the nucleus pulposus penetrate, causing irritation.This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis.The deformation of the intervertebral discs is barely pronounced and causes reflex pain during sudden movements and lifting heavy objects.Unpleasant sensations in the lower spine can be moderate and manifest themselves:

• lumbodynia: local and long-lasting pain in the lumbar spine;
• lumbago: sudden, painful “punctuation” in the lower back.

Second grade.Destructive processes in the annulus fibrosus continue.The distance from one vertebra to another decreases, causing compression of the nerve fibers.There is discomfort in the lower third of the back, which sometimes turns into attacks of pain.

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

• lordosis: arched deformity in the lumbar region, with a convexity of the spine forward;
• kyphosis - a position opposite to lordosis, when the arch is formed in the outer direction;
• Scoliosis is a pathological curvature of the spine to the right or left.

last gradeOsteochondrosis is considered the most serious and dangerous.At this time, the spine is already deformed and normal motor activity is lost.X-rays show bone growths in the lumbar spine, a response from the body.You may not feel pain for some time, but this does not mean improvement.People suffering from stage 4 osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region often become disabled.The reason is that 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.A person is an upright creature, therefore, in a standing position, the load on the spine is considered normal.When performing various actions, you have to move, bend and flex.To maintain the body in the desired state, the musculoskeletal system is in a mode of prolonged tension.In a sitting position, the load on the spine increases, and while lying on your back, it becomes minimal.When a person remains in one position for a long time, the lumbar and sacral spine becomes overloaded and the muscles do not rest, which first generates a feeling of discomfort and then pain.This deforming factor creates the prerequisites for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
2. Sedentary lifestyle.It contributes to the development of various pathologies, including those that affect the vertebral structures.Sitting for a long time causes deformation of cartilage tissue and a decrease in muscle tone, causing the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
3. Excessive physical activity.Both the lack of active physical activity and its excess do not bring anything good to the musculoskeletal system.Prolonged hard work, especially associated with lifting and carrying heavy objects, places 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 reason is again the uneven load on the spine.Intervertebral discs lose elasticity and mobility and are therefore more likely to be damaged.Older people suffer more from similar problems than others.
5. Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, trauma and infectious lesions.Often, osteochondrosis is a consequence of disorders of the musculoskeletal system that were present at birth.For example, when the cartilage tissue of the body is fragile by nature.Furthermore, spinal pathologies develop after traumatic injuries and infectious processes, such as osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
6. Flat feet.Signs of a "special" foot are the absence of a notch and fallen arches.Those who have this characteristic often face spinal problems.This is due to the increased load on the intervertebral discs when walking.Throughout life, they are exposed to greater physical impact when moving, so they wear out 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 processes.Dysfunctions of various structures can negatively affect the state of the musculoskeletal system.Thus, the factors that cause osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and poor functioning of the digestive system.
9. Wrong lifestyle.Many people do not pay enough attention to such simple and important things as physical activity, balanced nutrition and normal sleep.An organism that lives under stress for a long time becomes weak and vulnerable.Among other pathologies that can arise in such “fertile” soil is lumbar osteochondrosis.

Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis.

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

• Low back painIt is the most striking "sign" of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.She talks about the presence of “radicular syndrome”, when compression of the nerve endings in the spine 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, the back of the thigh and the foot.Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to sit and walk.The unpleasant sensations do not go away even when lying down.Temporary relief may alternate with periods of exacerbation;
• dysfunction of the genitourinary system.They manifest as pain in the kidney area and frequent need to urinate.The deformation of the intervertebral discs causes the displacement of the lumbar region with respect to the sacrum.This affects the functioning of the internal reproductive organs in women and causes potency problems in men;
• Decreased sensitivity of the legs in the foot area.It can be partial or absolute.At the same time, the reflexes of this part of the body weaken.Progressive pathology leads to a complete loss of sensitivity in the lower extremities;
• gait disturbances.Pain in the lumbar region with osteochondrosis causes a person to deviate when walking in the opposite direction to where the nerve fibers are pinched.The condition does not allow walking long distances.A person who limps is forced to stop from time to time, waiting for the pain to go away.Timely medical assistance can save a person from disability.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.

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

There are several methods by which lumbar osteochondrosis is treated.The doctor determines which of them is necessary and advisable to use to cure a disease or alleviate a person's condition as much as possible.

Someone treats themselves exclusively with folk remedies, at home, forgetting that they can only be used with the approval of a specialist doctor and only as part of complex therapy.

Pharmacological treatment of osteochondrosis.

Drug therapy involves the use of:

• tablet forms;
• injectable solutions;
• preparations for external use: ointments and gels.

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

These could be:

• pain relievers;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• medicines for muscle spasms (muscle relaxants);
• means for restoring cartilaginous tissue (chondroprotectors);
• corticosteroids (drugs containing hormones whose action is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation)
• vitamins.

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

Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis.

Another common method that relieves the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is physical therapy.By influencing the spine and lumbar area, it improves metabolic and restoration processes.

Most frequently prescribed:

• magnetic, laser and electrotherapy;
• phonophoresis;
• shock wave method;
• detention therapy;
• vibration massage;
• balneotherapy.

The doctor decides how many and what procedures will be necessary.

Physiotherapy is effective when dealing with the initial stages of the pathology.But, like other types of treatment, it has contraindications.Therefore, when prescribing this method, the doctor takes into account many factors.

Therapeutic exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis.

A set of physical exercises that may be indicated for lumbar osteochondrosis aim to regain mobility in this part of the spine.

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

If the body already has complications caused by osteochondrosis, this method is not used.In addition, contraindications for its use are serious pathologies of other organs and systems, as well as the presence of pain in the pelvic and upper area.

Surgical intervention for lumbar osteochondrosis.

The surgical method is used in the presence of serious complications such as intervertebral hernia.Partial or complete removal of the damaged intervertebral disc (discectomy) is performed, as provided in the surgical protocol.

The indications for surgery are:

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

Osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to treat.Like any pathology, it is potentially dangerous and entails serious complications.It is important to understand that more or less complete relief of this pathology is possible in the early stages, when the deforming effect on the intervertebral discs is minimal.In other cases, we can only talk about relieving symptoms and maintaining a state of the body that allows one to live and work normally.