Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the main cause of lower back pain in 3 out of 4 cases. If left untreated, it often leads to a herniated disc, leading to difficulty walking and significant limitations in mobility.The disease is widespread - more than 50% of people complain about its manifestations at different stages.And this is not surprising: it is the entire lower back which constitutes the lower part of the spine and which bears the heaviest load.
Is it possible to avoid the “price of standing walking”, what is necessary for its early diagnosis and how to stop or slow down the progress of the disease?Let's look at this in the article.
What is lumbosacral osteochondrosis
In addition to the 33 bones that make up the spine, the human spinal cord also includes 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.Along with muscles and ligaments, they participate in the human body by adopting various positions.Without these cartilage “spacers,” we wouldn’t be able to run, jump, and walk without suffering excruciating headaches and injuries.However, over time, they tend to wear out - this is facilitated by the genetic "weakness" of cartilage tissue, uneven distribution of the load (for example, with poor posture), poor diet and many other factors related to the lifestyle of a modern person.The disease is characterized by a chronic course with periodic relapses.Complete cure is impossible, but timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine gives 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 results in discomfort during movements, muscular hypertonia, sharp shooting or constant pain.The consequence of abrasion of the intervertebral discs is a 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 genitourinary system), spinal cord and brain, etc.The 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 movements of daily life.In this case, it becomes difficult for patients to walk and sit, an inflammatory process begins, the relief of which requires drug treatment, physiotherapy, a special program of exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine and observation of an orthopedist.In some cases, realignment of the vertebrae is necessary - 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 experienced pain in the back, older - and sometimes young - people who do not know how lumbar osteochondrosis manifests themselves, often look for completely rational explanations for this.I caught a cold, pulled, lay down... In fact, pain and pain syndrome often indicate that compression of a nerve, root or even a segment of the spinal cord has already occurred, which means that the disease has gone beyond the first stage and requires not only symptomatic, but also supportive treatment.
- Osteochondrosis 1st degreeThe lumbar region is characterized by slight pain in the sacrum and above, which resembles a kind of echo and does not attract much attention.Discomfort may only occur after prolonged sleeping or sitting in an uncomfortable position or significant physical activity.In this case, patients attribute unpleasant sensations to "numbness" of the limbs, but examination of the material and modern diagnostics make it possible to identify even a slight displacement of the intervertebral disc and the appearance of a crack in the fibrous ring of the spine.
- Osteochondrosis 2 degreesThe lumbar spine manifests itself as a feeling of chronic fatigue and discomfort, and a reduction 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 below the affected area appear - gluteal, femoral and spinal.There may also be a partial decrease in sensitivity or, conversely, the appearance of neuralgia, which is difficult to relieve with conventional analgesics due to their neurogenic nature.When exercising, sharp pain is observed, the so-called.“gunshots”.A feeling of stiffness appears in cases where you have to sit in one 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 treatment, stable remission without acute periods of illness can be achieved for several months.
- Osteochondrosis 3 degreeslumbar spine is already a complicated disease, characterized by gradual destruction of the tissue of neighboring fibrous rings and intractable pain.Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine reach their peak, reducing work capacity 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, severe functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system and 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 (eg, a cane).
A number of experts also distinguish stages 4 and 5, where in the 4th there is scarring of the cartilage and the 5th 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 infections 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, injury.At the same time, osteochondrosis is characterized by constant microtraumatization - sometimes lower back injuries do not require bruising, but an excessively sharp tilt, turn or lifting of the leg is enough.
Therefore, chondroprotectors for lumbar osteochondrosis are included in the obligatory preventive course, in addition to 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 medication or non-drug therapy - cannot be answered unambiguously.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 preventing the progression of destructive processes in cartilaginous and bone tissues (maintenance of a muscular 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, the cartilage cannot hurt, and therefore self-diagnosis of the disease is difficult and the vast majority of patients turn to an orthopedist or vertebroneurologist who already has lumbar osteochondrosis of the 2nd or 3rd degree.The further the cartilage destruction goes, the more stress already worn discs experience, the faster the disease progresses and the more difficult it is to achieve positive changes.The reason is that cellular restoration of cartilage occurs very slowly - tissue nutrition occurs mainly diffusely.Therefore, a general improvement in the patient's condition plays an important role on the path to remission.Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis necessarily includes diet, maintenance medications for 1-3 months, as well as special gymnastic exercises.During exercise, a separate time is allocated for warm-ups, which stimulate the nutrition of adjacent tissues, and therefore cartilage.Warm-ups should alternate between bouts of exercise, whether sitting at the computer or a long walk.
Sometimes the doctor may prescribe the wearing of compression devices, for example corsets, bandages to keep the spine in the correct position.This measure is effective for concomitant postural disorders.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Medicines for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include oral and external anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, pain relievers, chondroprotectors, as well as drugs to improve metabolism (B vitamins and others) and blood circulation, glucocorticosteroids, neurotransmitters and 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.Tablets for lumbar osteochondrosis, suspensions, injections, gels and applicators do not need to be used constantly - the doctor usually prescribes individual maintenance treatment at significant intervals.In the acute phase, with extremely severe pain, a specialist can place the so-called.paravertebral block - an injection of an anesthetic at the point 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 effective methods of conservative treatment.They help to improve nutrition and blood supply to problem areas, improve muscle support of the spine, relax the back and stabilize the condition.Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis includes sessions of shock wave therapy, electrophoresis, mud and paraffin baths, hot stone therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic baths, etc.Therapeutic exercise for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occupies a special place - like massage, it mainly includes stretching of the spine, aimed at releasing 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 should 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.
In case of 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 resolved by a doctor in all cases, without exception.Self-medication and the lack of comprehensive diagnosis lead to incorrect determination of the boundaries of the pathological process and its stage and, as a result, to an incorrect treatment program.In some cases, there is even a deterioration of the condition, caused by improper performance of therapeutic exercises, unprofessional selection of painkillers and NSAIDs.After clarifying the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with your doctor.
You can start taking the chondroprotector Artracam - this domestic drug improves metabolic processes and prevents further deformation of the cartilage, and with complex treatment it even demonstrates positive dynamics and increases cartilage tissue without injections!