Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the main cause of low back pain in 3 out of 4 cases. If left untreated, it often leads to a herniated disc, causing patients difficulty walking and significant limitations in mobility.The disease is very widespread: over 50% of people complain of its manifestations in various stages.And no wonder, the entire lower back is the lower part of the spine and bears the heaviest load.
Is it possible to avoid the “price of walking upright”, what is needed for early diagnosis and how to stop or slow down the course of the disease?Let's take a look in the article.
What is lumbosacral osteochondrosis
The human spinal cord includes, in addition to the 33 bones that make up the vertebral column, also the cartilaginous intervertebral discs.They provide stability to the spine against vertical loads and also play the role of a spring, softening movements: it is thanks to them that our bones do not rub against each other and the back bends.Together with muscles and ligaments, they intervene in the human body by assuming various positions.Without these cartilage "spacers" we would not be able to run, jump and walk without suffering from excruciating headaches and injuries.However, over time, they tend to wear out: this is facilitated by the genetic "weakness" of the cartilaginous tissue, uneven distribution of the load (for example, with poor posture), poor nutrition and many other factors that concern the lifestyle of a modern person.The disease is characterized by a chronic course with periodic relapses.A complete cure is impossible, but timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine gives an almost 100% effect and returns to normal life.
Degenerative changes in the cartilaginous tissue of the spine lead to degeneration of the intervertebral discs.It is expressed in discomfort during movement, muscle hypertonicity, sharp shooting or constant aching pain.The consequence of abrasion of intervertebral discs is the deterioration of tissue trophism, the appearance of microcracks in bones and osteophytes, protrusion of the spinal cord and compression of internal organs.For this reason, lumbar osteochondrosis is called a disease of the whole body: it is capable of triggering a chain of metabolic disorders affecting the abdominal and pelvic organs (mainly the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system), the spinal cord and the brain, and so on.Radicular syndrome, or radiculopathy, caused by this disease can cause neuralgic pain in the heart and even the stomach.Sometimes paresis of the legs and other serious symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are observed.
When the disease is localized in the lumbar region, vertebral displacements often occur due to sudden daily movements.In this case, patients become difficult to walk and sit, an inflammatory process begins, the relief of which requires drug treatment, physiotherapy, a special physical therapy program for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine and observation by an orthopedist.In some cases, realignment of the vertebrae is required, a rather painful procedure, after which significant relief occurs after 1-2 days.It can only be performed by a chiropractor, an osteopath and a vertebroneurologist.
Signs of lumbar osteochondrosis
Having felt pain in the back, older - and sometimes young - people who do not know how lumbar osteochondrosis manifests itself often look for completely rational explanations for this.He caught a cold, he pulled, he lay down… In fact, pain and painful syndrome often indicate that compression of a nerve, a root or even a segment of the spinal cord has already occurred, which means that the disease has passed the first stage and requires not only symptomatic, but also supportive treatment.
- Osteochondrosis 1st degreeThe lumbar region is characterized by mild pain in the sacrum and above, which seems like a kind of echo and does not attract special attention.Discomfort may occur only after sleep, prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position, or significant physical activity.In this case, patients attribute discomfort to "numbness" of the limbs, but examination of the hardware and modern diagnostics help to identify even a slight displacement of the spinal disc and the appearance of a crack in the fibrous ring of the spine.
- Osteochondrosis 2 degreesThe lumbar spine manifests itself through a feeling of chronic tiredness and discomfort and a decrease in load capacity.Pain and discomfort (“goosebumps”, sensitivity to cold, etc.) in the lumbar region become constant companions of patients;sometimes spasmodic contractions of the muscles located under the affected area appear: gluteal, femoral and spinal.A partial decrease in sensitivity may also occur or, conversely, the appearance of neuralgia, which is difficult to alleviate with conventional painkillers due to their neurogenic nature.During the exercise, a sharp pain is observed, the so-called."shots".A feeling of stiffness appears in cases where you need to sit in the same position for at least 10-15 minutes and is especially pronounced after sleep or a working day.At this stage, conservative treatment is still effective: the disease responds well to therapy, it is possible to achieve a stable remission without acute periods of disease for many months.
- Osteochondrosis 3 degreesthe lumbar spine is already a complicated disease, characterized by gradual destruction of the tissue of nearby fibrous rings and intractable pain.Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine reach their peak, reducing the ability to work and leading to disability.This stage is dangerous due to the appearance of intervertebral hernias and other irreversible changes in the spine, which can affect large nerves and vessels.At this stage, serious functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system and a significant limitation of mobility, up to paralysis and paresis, may already appear.Stage 3 lumbar osteochondrosis significantly affects the quality and expectancy of life and may require additional support when walking (for example, a cane).
Numerous experts also distinguish stages 4 and 5, where in 4 there is cartilage scarring, and in 5 it is considered incompatible with life, however, with timely treatment and lifestyle changes, such cases are rare in practice.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
Exacerbation of the disease can be triggered by infectious diseases or colds, stress, hormonal disorders, weight gain, pregnancy, age-related changes, intoxication of the body, overwork, dehydration, hypovitaminosis, smoking, high physical activity, unbalanced diet, uncomfortable workplace or bed, injuries.At the same time, osteochondrosis is characterized by constant microtraumatization: sometimes damage to the lower back does not require a bruise, but an excessively sharp tilt, rotation or lifting of the leg is enough.
Therefore, chondroprotectors for lumbar osteochondrosis are included in the mandatory preventive course, as well as taking multivitamin complexes, immunomodulators and gymnastic exercises.It is also advisable, if possible, to eliminate or compensate for the factors mentioned above.
How to treat lumbar osteochondrosis
The question of how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine - with drugs or non-drug therapies - cannot be answered unequivocally.Treatment of the disease is carried out in several directions:
- elimination of symptoms that reduce the patient's quality of life;
- partial regeneration of connective tissue;
- implementation of a preventive program that prevents the progression of destructive processes in cartilage and bone tissues (maintenance of the muscle corset, general tone, etc.).
Cartilage is devoid of nerve endings and blood vessels - this determines the specifics of the diagnosis and treatment of osteochondrosis.Firstly, cartilage cannot hurt, and therefore self-diagnosis of the disease is difficult and the vast majority of patients turn to an orthopedist or vertebroneurologist already with lumbar osteochondrosis of the 2nd or 3rd degree.The longer the destruction of the cartilage goes on, the more stress the already worn discs experience, the faster the disease progresses, and the more difficult it is to achieve positive changes.The reason for this lies in the fact that cellular restoration of cartilage occurs very slowly: tissue nutrition occurs mainly in a diffuse manner.Therefore, a general improvement in the patient's condition plays an important role in the path to remission.Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis necessarily includes a diet, maintenance drugs for 1-3 months and special gymnastic exercises.In the exercise, separate time is allocated for warming up, which stimulates the nutrition of adjacent tissues, and therefore cartilage.The warm-up should be alternated between episodes of physical exercise, whether sitting at the computer or walking for a long time.
Sometimes the doctor may prescribe the use of compression devices, for example, corsets, bandages to support the spine in the correct position.This measure is effective for concomitant postural disorders.
Pharmacological treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include oral and external anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, analgesics, chondroprotectors, as well as drugs to improve metabolism (B vitamins and others) and blood circulation, glucocorticosteroids, neurotransmitters, enzymes.With reduced immunity and susceptibility to infectious diseases, immunomodulators are used.Constant pain can lead to depression, which also requires treatment.If the patient suffers from seizures or swelling, anticonvulsants and diuretics are also prescribed.It is not necessary to constantly use tablets for lumbar osteochondrosis, suspensions, injections, gels and applicators: usually the doctor prescribes an individual maintenance course at significant intervals.In the acute phase, with extremely severe pain, a specialist can place the so-called.paravertebral block: injection of an anesthetic where the nerve root exits the spine.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy and massage are effective both in the acute form of the disease and in remission, remaining the most successful conservative treatment methods.They help improve nutrition and blood supply to problem areas, improve muscle support of the spine, help relax the back and stabilize the condition.Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis includes shock wave therapy sessions, electrophoresis, mud and paraffin baths, hot stone therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic baths, etc.Therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occupy a special place - like massage, it mainly includes stretching of the spine, designed to free pinched nerve roots.For example, traction during rotation can change the angle of curvature of the spine during lordosis, reducing pain.
Therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine must take into account the presence of excess weight and other diseases and injuries, gender and age characteristics, and the severity of pain.The best effect is achieved with constant exercise.
With advanced osteochondrosis, a neurosurgeon may find indications for surgical treatment: microdiscectomy or installation of an expandable titanium implant.
The question of how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine should be answered by a doctor in all cases, without exceptions.Self-medication and lack of comprehensive diagnosis lead to incorrect determination of the boundaries of the pathological process and its stage and, as a consequence, to an incorrect treatment program.In some cases, a worsening of the condition even occurs, caused by improper performance of therapeutic exercises, unprofessional selection of painkillers and NSAIDs.After clarifying with the doctor the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
You can start taking chondroprotector Artracam - this home drug improves metabolic processes and prevents further deformation of cartilage, and with complex treatment, it also demonstrates positive dynamics and increases cartilage tissue without injections!