Osteochondrosis is the most severe form of degenerative lesions of the spine, which is based on damage to the structure of the intervertebral disc located between the vertebrae. If the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis are not recognized as early as possible, this condition leads to deformation of the bodies of adjacent vertebrae, intervertebral joints. Vessels and the nervous system are involved in the pathological process.
One of the most common forms of this disease is lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms in women and men are very similar. Many adults have repeatedly felt discomfort in the lumbar region, sacrum and legs caused by osteochondrosis and its complications. Among all the reasons for the loss of normal mobility, this disease takes one of the first places.
The reasons
One of the causes of the disease is poor posture, but there are others:
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine, the symptoms and treatment of which cause a lot of inconvenience to the patient, most often occurs due to increased load on the spine. Because of this, the disease manifests itself more often in people whose labor activity is associated with physical labor and weight lifting.
- Another factor provoking the disease is obesity, which increases pressure on the spine.
- The absence of any load and physical inactivity worsens the nutrition of the intervertebral disc tissue and slows down blood flow, metabolic processes in the spine. The muscular corset is significantly weakened, creating a favorable background for the development of pathological changes.
- Incorrect posture, when the patient likes to sit with a curved spine, leads to the fact that the load on the intervertebral discs and vertebrae is uneven, the intervertebral discs deform and wear out quickly.
- Often injuries can be the cause of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of which greatly affect the life of the patient. They happen during sports, exercises without proper preparation, improper lifting of heavy weights, injuries from falls.
- Some experts believe that osteochondrosis is predetermined even at the genetic level, regardless of which department degenerative changes are observed.
- The age of the patient also has a special influence: over the years, the segments of the spine lose their mobility and elasticity and are therefore subject to destruction and deformation. Previously, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of which are rather unpleasant, was considered a disease of old age, but today it occurs in young people aged 25-30 years.
- A predisposing factor can be some pathologies associated with inflammation in the joints of the spine or changes in their structure and shape: ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis, scoliosis, intervertebral disc instability.
In rare cases, the cause of the development of osteochondrosis can be:
- hypothermia;
- emphasize;
- malnutrition;
- violations of the work and rest regime;
- bad environmental conditions.
At the first appearance of discomfort in the lumbar region, it is better to seek the advice of a doctor.
Classification by degree of osteochondrosis
Classification of osteochondrosis by degree is used to systematically characterize the clinical manifestations of the disease. The classification allows you to describe the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis and accurately determine from when the patient began to be bothered by pain:
- The first degree occurs when the disc ruptures, which is provoked by sudden movements. It manifests itself in the form of severe sudden pain, in the spine there is a feeling that a person has suffered shock, the muscles are reflexively tight.
- The second degree of symptoms resembles disc protrusion and instability of the spinal trunk. The pain is aggravated by physical activity. Constantly changing exacerbations and remissions. When osteochondrosis occurs in the neck area, the pain intensifies when a person stays in one position for a long time, frequent headaches, discomfort in the arm and shoulder, and fatigue in the lower extremities bother.
- The third degree manifests itself in the form of symptoms of a herniated disc: numbness of the limbs, changes in posture and gait, headache and discomfort along the affected nerve. Symptoms can resemble kidney diseases, gastrointestinal tract, disorders in the reproductive system.
- The fourth degree begins with the fact that the hernia does not make itself felt, the manifestations can weaken, but the symptoms of instability of the spinal trunk, twisting of the vertebrae remain. In addition, overgrowths of the vertebral bodies can occur, often compressing the spinal nerves or blocking the canal, compressing the brain with the back. This degree can be attributed to the consequences of surgery if the hernia was surgically removed.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of which bring a lot of inconvenience, is a rather unpleasant disease. It requires urgent complex treatment and constant monitoring by a specialist.
symptoms of pathology
Depending on the symptoms, the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis may be different. This is because the disease affects the nervous system, which is why there are often problems occurring in different parts of the body that are in no way related to the back.
In the early stages of the disease, pain can appear after heavy physical exertion or staying in one position for a long time, for example, a person often spends time at the computer. As the disease progresses, the pain becomes chronic. If the pain syndrome does not manifest itself, then in its place there may be discomfort that interferes with normal life. The complex of symptoms can be as follows:
- pain in the lower back, often radiating to the buttocks or leg;
- spasms in the muscles with a long stay in a statistical position;
- constant tension of the back muscles;
- Shooting in the back, which most often occurs after a person has been in the cold for a long time;
- sensory disorders in the lower part of the patient's body;
- numbness of the legs, frequent tingling in the fingers;
- chills of the legs;
- sweat function;
- Dryness of the skin in the area of \u200b\u200bthe appearance of pain.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can worsen if measures are not taken to cure the patient or if one of the provoking factors becomes stronger. In this case, the pain syndrome passes to the lower extremities. A person tries to find the most optimal position in order to relieve his condition and not feel the unpleasant discomfort caused by the disease.
diagnostic methods
Before starting the diagnosis, the doctor must first take an anamnesis of his patient, carefully examine him and assess the state of health. In addition, instrumental methods of investigation may be required.
A complete medical history allows the doctor to suggest the causes of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine and assess the risks of their occurrence. Examination of the patient consists of palpation of painful areas, percussion, external examination of the skin. In some patients, doctors may test sensitivity with acupuncture.
Based on the data collected by the doctor, the patient is recommended to undergo additional instrumental studies to confirm the diagnosis and determine how the spine and other organs are affected. The patient is recommended to undergo:
- radiography;
- MRI;
- CT.
All these diagnostic methods help to determine some features of the development of the disease. MRI is considered the most informative of these, and all because other methods only depict the human body in a few projections and do not allow a closer look at the overall problem.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which begin to bother a person, is selected by a doctor. It is impossible to make a diagnosis and determine the course of therapy only by external examination. It is important to conduct a comprehensive examination and avoid complications.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lower back
It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis. Good results can be obtained when the patient has 1 and 2 degrees of the disease. However, in any case, long-term treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is required, since the symptoms cannot be tolerated, they are so strong and uncomfortable. The therapy is aimed at:
- reduce the intensity of pain in the lumbosacral region;
- eliminate muscle tension that does not allow a person to relax;
- strengthening the muscles of the back, buttocks and lower extremities;
- normalize blood flow and metabolic processes in the affected area;
- eliminate the inflammatory process;
- restoring the normal range of motion in the lumbar region and increasing the sensitivity of the legs;
- Improving the functioning of the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems.
Among the drugs, the doctor prefers the following:
- Definitely recommend painkillers. Analgesics help relieve pain, but they cannot eliminate the causes of the disease.
- To eliminate swelling and radicular pain, NSAIDs are used, and in severe cases, steroid-based drugs are used to eliminate the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine in both women and men. Their action is aimed at reducing and eliminating inflammation.
- Paravertebral blocks are used for local anesthesia. The drug is administered along the lumbar region. More often they are recommended for patients with 3-4 degrees of the disease.
- Muscle relaxants are recommended to eliminate spastic muscle contractions.
- Chondroprotectors improve metabolic processes in cartilage tissue, stimulate regenerative processes and significantly slow down their deformation.
- Group B vitamins help improve cell metabolism, reduce inflammation and remove excess fluid from the body.
- Diuretics help eliminate swelling.
- Immunostimulants increase the activity of the immune system and improve the body's defenses.
- Agents to improve blood flow in the area affected by the disease, given intravenously via drip.
Complementary therapies
The doctor may recommend additional physiotherapeutic methods. Drugs alone for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral region, the symptoms of which cause pain to the patient, are not enough. To eliminate pain and relieve muscle spasms, the following physiotherapeutic procedures are recommended to improve metabolic processes:
- amplipulse;
- electrophoresis;
- diadynamic currents;
- magnetic resonance therapy;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser treatment.
Remedial gymnastics will also not be superfluous, because with their help you can not only get rid of the pain syndrome, but also strengthen and relax the muscles of the back. Physical exercises can be done not only during the exacerbation of the pathology, but also during recovery. Massage and reflexology give excellent results.
surgery
Surgery may be recommended for some patients with stage 4 disease. This measure is used in cases where drug treatment does not bring the desired results, when there are serious neurological and motor disorders, and hernias appear. During the operation, herniated discs are removed, followed by plastic surgery and the displaced vertebrae are reliably strengthened.
Folk methods of treatment
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine in men are not much different from those observed in women. Therapeutic measures are selected individually for each patient, depending on the stage of the disease. In addition to traditional methods of treatment, traditional medicine can be recommended. The patient must coordinate all his actions with the doctor. Good results in complex treatment were achieved by such herbal products:
- To make an ointment that will improve blood circulation in the affected area, you need to take five red peppers and 1/2 cup of kerosene and vegetable oil. After receiving a therapeutic infusion, they need to lubricate painful areas at night. Place a dry wool compress on the treated area.
- Mix equal amounts of butter and hop cones. This composition is applied to the lumbar region when there is no strength to endure pain and discomfort.
Folk remedies show good results in the early stages of treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of this pathology gradually disappear. It is better to use such recipes immediately after the appearance of the first signs of the disease.
consequences of the disease
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in men and women cause serious inconvenience, a person cannot sit normally, sleep well and constantly experience discomfort. If timely measures are not taken at the first manifestations of the disease, osteochondrosis can lead to serious complications in the form of inflammation of the sciatic nerve. This disease is characterized by severe pain in the lower back and legs, possibly even numbness in the limbs. To relieve pain, many patients walk and bend over on the healthy side, but this position only aggravates the disease: the degree of curvature of the spinal trunk increases, and the process of disc destruction accelerates.
The most dangerous complication can be considered vertebral instability. The intervertebral discs can no longer cope with the function of vertebral fixation and the lumbar spine begins to slide down from the sacrum under heavy loads. This condition can lead to disruption of the internal organ systems. In women, there can be inflammation of the uterus and appendages, and men have problems with potency.
Precautions
You can prevent the disease if you use the following methods:
- eliminate heavy loads on the lower back;
- strengthen back muscles;
- maintain correct posture;
- strengthening the spine through regular physical activity;
- adhere to proper nutrition;
- regulate rest;
- Treat back pain in time.
Only a timely visit to the doctor and comprehensive treatment gives an opportunity to avoid complications and return to the previous way of life.