Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs are subject to degenerative disorders and together with them the joints.The interval between them decreases, due to which the nerve endings and roots are compressed, which leads to the formation of severe pain.Pathological changes often occur in the lumbar region.
Your doctor will tell you how to treat osteochondrosis of the spine, as self-medication can only make the condition worse.The difficulty lies in the fact that the symptoms of osteochondrosis can also appear in other diseases, the treatment of which has essential differences.
Basic information about the disease
Not everyone knows what osteochondrosis of the spine is.To understand the essence of the disease, it is necessary to delve into the anatomy.
The vertebra is a solid, dense structure in the form of a cylinder with an arch from which the processes extend.The vertebral body is attached to them using arches, and in the middle there is a vertebral hole.It is these openings that form the spinal canal.
Not all processes participate in the formation of joints, but only the upper and lower ones, in which small oscillatory movements are possible.Between the vertebrae there are openings that are bounded by processes;it is through them that the nerve roots of the spinal nerves emerge.
Pathological changes first appear in the nucleus pulposus (a semi-fluid structure with a jelly-like center in the opening of the disc).Nucleus pulposus has maximum elasticity and is the main shock absorber.And then the pathological process develops in the joints of the vertebrae, leading to a narrowing of the intervertebral foramina.
The sacrum is a large triangular shaped bone located at the base of the spine.It consists of five vertebrae that are fused together and have anterior and posterior surfaces.There are no discs in this section and osteochondrosis does not develop.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is often diagnosed in people after the age of 30.The degenerative process occurs after a disruption of the water-salt metabolism in the disc.As a result, the bone structure thins and becomes brittle.The nucleus pulposus expands its borders and moves towards the spinal canal.As a result, the fluid inside the canal and the nerves are compressed and swelling occurs.This provokes the appearance of painful sensations and dysfunction of the organs to which these areas belong.
Due to the compression, bone cells divide faster and osteophytes (abnormal growths) appear in the vertebrae.Regeneration of the disc is impossible, as it is cartilage, and therefore the functioning of the organs is damaged even more.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of which will be described further, often occurs due to a weakening of the muscle corset, and that is why it is so important to train the muscles of the abdomen, sides and back.
Many people wonder whether osteochondrosis can be treated or not.This disease is easier to eliminate in an early stage.
Disease rates
Sacral osteochondrosis progresses gradually.
There are 4 stages of the disease:
- 1st degreecharacterized by the appearance of mild painful sensations that intensify after physical activity.There is often a dull pain that radiates to the buttocks;
- Phase 2.The interval between the vertebrae decreases and they begin to collapse together with the surrounding tissues.At the same time, nerve endings are compressed.Intervertebral osteochondrosis causes sharp, radiating pain.Painful sensations force a person to lean forward.This provokes displacement and stretching of the intervertebral discs;
- Phase 3osteochondrosis of the lower spine is manifested by the complete destruction of the vertebrae and the manifestation of an intervertebral hernia;
- Phase 4.The vertebrae grow, the cartilage atrophies and because of this the patient has difficulty moving.The spine in the lumbosacral area loses its flexibility, becomes less mobile and often the patient becomes disabled.
It is important to monitor your health and start treatment if the symptoms described above appear.
Causes of the disease
Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs due to constant and uneven load on the lower back.Sometimes the causes of the disease are autoimmune in nature.In some cases, the disease is preceded by injury, especially if several vertebrae are affected.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- The disease develops due to severe stress.People who constantly engage in heavy physical work suffer more often.
- Back pain is caused by excess weight.And this happens because the spine in the lumbosacral area is subjected to constant pressure.
- Due to low physical activity, bone tissue nutrition deteriorates, blood flow slows down and muscles weaken.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the causes of which vary, often develops due to incorrect posture.If a person bends while sitting, the discs are deformed and wear out prematurely, and this is all due to the uneven load.
- Osteochondrosis often occurs as a result of back injuries.Which can be damaged during training if the level of sports training is low.To avoid problems, it is important to learn how to lift heavy objects correctly.You can hurt your back when you fall.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a natural result of the aging of the body and a decrease in its ability to recover.As a result, the mobility of the discs decreases, they lose flexibility and therefore deform.
- This disease often occurs due to rheumatoid arthritis, scoliosis, etc.
In rare cases, osteochondrosis occurs due to hypothermia, severe depression, poor nutrition, chronic fatigue and poor environmental conditions.
Symptoms
Signs of osteochondrosis in women and men are very similar.The only difference is that in the right half of humanity the disease appears earlier.At an early stage, the disease does not manifest itself in any way, the person, without guessing anything, continues to live a full life.However, there are symptoms that can prompt you to make the right decision, which consists of a complete diagnosis and a visit to the doctor.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:
- Pain in the lower back.At first, painful sensations appear after exercise, and with the development of the disease they become permanent.
- With lumbar osteochondrosis, mobility in the affected area decreases.When the patient tries to bend, turn or sit, severe radiating pains appear that spread down the leg to the foot.
- When the nerves are pressed, the sensitivity of the legs changes (increases or decreases).Sometimes there is a burning sensation or numbness of the limbs.
- The skin in the affected area becomes pale, dry and the temperature decreases.
- Sweat increases, especially at night.
- With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the functioning of the genitourinary organs is interrupted.
These are the main signs of lumbar osteochondrosis.
The disease is chronic, but it can get worse.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in acute and subacute forms:
- lumbago – pain occurs after muscle tension.Due to muscle spasm, the patient bends forward;
- during irritation, pain appears even after light movement.Painful sensations increase significantly and radiate to the buttocks or legs.The patient's condition is relieved when he lies on his back and bends the affected limb at the knee.After a few weeks, these signs of lumbar osteochondrosis gradually disappear, motor activity is restored and the muscles relax;
- The subacute phase of the disease is characterized by dull, aching, radiating pain.
If a person notices such manifestations, then it is worth visiting a doctor.
Diagnostic measures
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine should begin after a complete diagnosis.
First, a neurologist or vertebrologist performs a visual examination based on the patient's complaints and touches the affected area of the body.If the patient feels pain when palpating certain points, the range of motion of the legs is reduced, or the buttocks are located asymmetrically, then the diagnosis is confirmed.In addition, the doctor assesses the patient's attitude.
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are described above, can be identified using the following studies:
- X-rays will once again confirm the diagnosis.This method cannot assess the condition of the spine.The photos show only a narrowing of the openings between the vertebrae and the growth of osteophytes.
- A CT scan of the lower back will make it possible to make a diagnosis and view the affected area on a computer monitor from one angle or another.However, the technique is effective in diagnosing bony structures;for soft tissue formations, including vertebral discs, the use of magnetic resonance imaging is recommended.
- Magnetic resonance of the spine shows a complete picture of the state of bone tissue and soft structures in the lumbosacral area.
After carrying out the above studies, you can start treating lumbar osteochondrosis.
Treatment methods
Many patients are interested in whether it is possible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the spine.The answer, unfortunately, will be negative.If you start treatment in the first or second stage of the disease, you can stop its development.
Thus, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a long and complex process that helps achieve the following goals:
- pain relief;
- elimination of spasm;
- strengthen the muscles of the abdomen, back, sides, buttocks and legs;
- restoration of blood flow and metabolism in the affected area;
- eliminate inflammation;
- restoring the motor function of the lower back;
- normalization of sensation in the legs;
- improve the functioning of the pelvic organs.
Conservative treatment
The process of treating osteochondrosis begins with the use of various medications.They are prescribed only by a doctor, as self-medication can have negative consequences.The doctor can use several groups of drugs, only in this case a positive result can be expected.
For these purposes, medications are used:
- pain relievers, which are used to relieve discomfort;
- With the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, radicular pain and swelling are eliminated.Drugs with steroid hormones are also prescribed for osteochondrosis.They relieve or completely eliminate inflammation;
- The method of treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis in the later stages is of interest to many patients.Paraspinal blocks are used to relieve pain.To do this, sedatives are injected into the lower back;
- With the help of muscle relaxants you can get rid of muscle cramps;
- To restore the metabolism in the cartilage, start the regeneration processes and stop the dystrophic changes, the attending physician prescribes chondroprotectors;
- Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is carried out using B vitamins. They improve cell metabolism, eliminate inflammation, remove excess fluid;
- With the help of diuretic medications, swelling is eliminated;
- Immunomodulatory drugs strengthen the immune system;
- To improve blood flow to the affected area, the doctor prescribes drugs that reduce blood viscosity.Medicines are injected into a vein using a dropper or taken in tablet form.
Physiotherapy
The use of physiotherapy can bring success in the treatment of osteochondrosis.There are many techniques that can be used;your doctor will help you choose the optimal one if there are no contraindications.Physiotherapy relieves pain, relieves muscle spasms and activates metabolic and recovery processes.
To solve these problems, the following procedures are described:
- amplipulseThe affected area is exposed to sinusoidal modular currents;
- sonophoresis– simultaneous exposure to ultrasound and medications;
- diadynamic therapy- treatment with low voltage electric current;
- Darsonvalization.The damaged area is exposed to alternating current of low strength, but with high frequency and voltage;
- inductothermy– treatment with high frequency magnetic fields;
- laser therapy– treatment with optical radiation coming from a laser.
The therapeutic effect of these procedures is difficult to overestimate.
If you want to know how to get rid of pain, strengthen muscles, relax, then it must be said that this can be done with the help of physical therapy.Reflexology and massage will only increase the effectiveness of the therapy.Massage techniques and gymnastics are performed outside the period of inflammation, otherwise the disease will worsen.It is useful to engage in swimming, as well as to perform water aerobics, in this case the load on the back will be minimal.
Surgical treatment
Surgery is a last resort, which is performed only if previous methods have been ineffective and the disease progresses so much that this is the only way to help the patient return to activity.The intervention is performed in cases of pronounced movement disorders and the presence of intervertebral hernias.Therefore, it is better not to know how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis surgically, as it is considered more radical.
The surgeon removes the herniated discs between the discs and strengthens the vertebrae that have become malformed.The doctor can also perform a spine fusion operation, the essence of which is that a part of the spine is completely immobilized using a special metal structure.This is followed by long-term rehabilitation.
Special instructions
If lumbosacral osteochondrosis is not treated, the sciatic nerve can become inflamed, which can lead to severe pain.To reduce discomfort, a person bends forward, but because of this, the condition of the spine in the damaged area only worsens.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the symptoms of which may be different, threatens vertebral instability.The disc is unable to support the vertebra, and the lumbar region is displaced from the sacrum due to compression.In this regard, the functioning of the genitourinary organs is impaired.
To avoid complications, you must adhere to the following rules:
- avoid intense physical activity;
- strengthen muscular corset;
- keep the right attitude;
- exercise every day;
- set food, maintain a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
- observe the optimal rest regime;
- treat back diseases in the early stages.
You should also not self-medicate - then the disease will go away as soon as possible.It will be useful to wear a corset, which will lighten the load on the lumbar spine.