Lumbar osteochondrosis is a deformation of the spine in the lumbar region. The disease affects intervertebral discs, cartilage, spinal roots and nerve fibers and causes back pain.
CMRT clinics have specialized in the conservative treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis for more than 10 years. The centers are equipped with modern expert equipment for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and rehabilitation. Experienced specialists apply an individual approach, forming a complex of therapeutic measures aimed at combating pathology at all stages.
Important!
An accurate diagnosis, determining the causes and nature of the disease, and only a qualified doctor at an internal appointment can prescribe an effective treatment.
causes
The main cause of the disease is the improper distribution of the load on the musculoskeletal system. This usually happens when walking in high heels, carrying a bag on your side, with an awkward posture in a dream, or in sedentary work. People at risk are the elderly, pregnant women, those who have just given birth, professional athletes and office workers.
Other causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- injuries, bruises, broken arms, legs, spine
- damage to organs of the musculoskeletal system
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, causing nutrient deficiency
- body tension during prolonged exercise
- psycho-emotional disorders
- blood flow disorders in the spine
- inflammation of the musculoskeletal system
- infections of internal organs and vertebrae
- joint stiffness, disc displacement
- protrusions and intervertebral hernias
- severe poisoning
- Metabolic disorders
- posture curvature
- sedentary lifestyle
- dehydration
- unbalanced diet
- calcium and oxygen deficiency
- overweight
- bad habits
- age-related changes
- joint diseases
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The intensity and nature of the symptoms depend on the stage of the disease. The earlier the patient detects the signs of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the more effective the treatment will be.
General symptoms:
- severe pain in the lower back, which may radiate to the legs, internal organs of the abdomen and pelvis
- pain in the kidneys and sacrum
- fatigue and tension in the lower back and sacral spine
- Difficulty moving, walking, tilting and turning the body
- occasional back pain
- rapid fatigue after a light load
- cracking sound in the back, reduced mobility, pain at rest
- numbness of limbs
- spasms and cramps in the muscles
- dizziness
- weakness and loss of strength
- decreased muscle tone and sensitivity
In men and women, the manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis may differ. Men can have potency problems. Women are more likely to suffer from pain in the pelvic region. When the deformed spine cannot fully support the back, the uterus and appendages experience additional loads and sometimes shift from their normal physiological position.
Varieties
The classification of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine includes several varieties of the disease. Depending on the type of pain syndrome, there are:
Lumbago. acute symptom. Expressed by acute lumbago and inability to move. Occurs with muscle spasms, injuries, pinched discs and nerve roots.
Low back pain. It is characterized by prolonged aching pain caused by hernias, protrusions, spondylarthrosis, sprains and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Sciatica. Powerful pain syndrome in the lumbosacral region, radiating to the pelvis. The pain spreads to the sciatic nerve, prevents normal flexion and extension of the body, and prevents sitting and standing without pain.
Discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis and radiculopathy are also distinguished.
Discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by loss of sensation and numbness not only in the back pain, but also in the legs, buttocks, thighs and lower abdomen. Sometimes the body temperature rises, weakness, urinary incontinence appear, the patient loses weight.
Radiculopathy results in numbness of the nerve roots and a decrease in a person's motor skills. Signs - whole lower body tingling or pain, impaired reflexes, decreased muscle tone and joints in the extremities.
Stages of development of lumbar osteochondrosis
Doctors trace the dynamics of the pathology in four stages:
First. Symptoms are almost invisible - they are diagnosed on x-rays. The stage begins with pathological processes in the pulp cavity of an overdried disc and microcracks in the fibrous ring.
Second. The height of the intervertebral discs decreases, making the vertebrae closely spaced. This causes spinal slippage and displacement, which is accompanied by pain during movement.
Third. Characterized by stiffness, instability, numbness of the body in the coccyx, lower back and sacrum. This can be explained by protrusion of the vertebrae, protrusions, dislocations of the joints and osteoarthritis of the spine.
Fourth. The most difficult degree. On it, the functions of the spine are disturbed and bone growths (osteophytes) are formed. The growths can pinch nerves or damage the integrity of the vertebrae.
The consequences of lumbar osteochondrosis
- Excess salt accumulation in the body
- development of hernia, protrusion, prolapse of vertebrae and discs
- chronic sciatica
- paresis and paralysis of the legs
Diagnostic
An orthopedist, osteopath, neurologist, rheumatologist, chiropractor and surgeon can diagnose lumbar osteochondrosis and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system. An accurate diagnosis can be made after:
- X-ray of the spine, which shows the condition of bone, cartilage and muscle tissue, as well as ligaments and tendons.
- Myelography is the study of cerebrospinal fluid using a dye. With its help, the nerve roots of the spinal cord are studied and evaluated.
For a more detailed examination, doctors use CT scans and MRIs. You can get a diagnosis in the network of CMRT clinics.
We also recommend undergoing plasma therapy procedures, pharmacopuncture. To maintain health, manual therapy and osteopathy services, exercise therapy are recommended.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
A neurologist is engaged in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine. The standard treatment regimen looks like this: the doctor diagnoses, determines the degree of development of the disease and identifies complications. With this in mind, he selects a method of treatment - conservative or surgical.
Physiotherapy
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the spine is carried out in an equipped room under the supervision of a doctor. Classes are carried out when remission occurs and the patient does not suffer from pain. The doctor monitors the patient's condition during physical activity, in case of pain or discomfort, he corrects the exercise or cancels it.
Each therapeutic gymnastics class takes place in several stages. During the warm-up, the patient performs light exercises that warm up the muscles and disperse the blood. In the main part - exercises for the affected spine. Finally, relaxing stretches.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy procedures are performed to relieve pain, improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition, and reduce inflammation. Most often, patients are prescribed:
- electrophoresis, which helps reduce the neurological manifestations of the disease
- diadynamic therapy with the influence of currents of different intensity, which effectively relieve even severe pain
- ultrasound therapy with exposure along the affected spine
- magnetic therapy with an alternating magnetic field
To achieve the best effect, the patient is prescribed a complex of several physiotherapy procedures.
Kinesiology taping
For anesthesia, a cotton patch with hot melt adhesive is used. There are special types of therapeutic applications for neck pain, chest pain, back pain and joint problems.
Injections for lumbar osteochondrosis
With lumbar osteochondrosis, the doctor can prescribe the following injections to the patient for treatment:
- chondroprotectors protect cartilage tissue from further destruction, slow down the development of dystrophic disorders
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation, have an antipyretic and analgesic effect, reducing swelling in the focus of inflammation
- vitamin complexes restore blood circulation in the affected areas, accelerate the renewal of nerve fibers, improve the condition of the body as a whole
Injections can only be prescribed by a doctor, since the method of treatment has contraindications. For example, many drugs are prohibited for people with allergies, pregnant and lactating women.
Medical treatment
Doctors try to move away from this method of treatment, but in extreme cases they prescribe the following drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region:
- painkillers only have an additional analgesic or anti-inflammatory effect
- antispasmodics relieve muscle spasms, due to which the pressure on the nerve endings stops and the pain decreases
- vasodilating drugs improve blood microcirculation, help reduce the recovery time of the spine after treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment with tablets is carried out separately or in combination with injections. For example, a certain drug is prescribed in the form of tablets, and if it is not effective enough, it is prescribed in the form of injections.
Surgical intervention
The operation is a radical measure, it is used only in severe cases. During the operation, the doctor completely eliminates the cause of the pain and stabilizes the spine.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
- Establish a moderate program of sports and exercise therapy
- take breaks from work every hour for 5-7 minutes
- sleep on a flat surface or buy an orthopedic mattress
- wear comfortable shoes that fit you well
Which doctor to contact
The neurologist establishes an accurate diagnosis, prescribes treatment and, if necessary, corrects it. If the disease is accompanied by severe pain or impaired functioning of internal organs, it may be necessary to consult other specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to provide assistance with acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis?
A patient with back pain should be helped into a comfortable position in which the pain subsides. After that, you should consult a doctor.
Is it possible to do physical exercises with lumbar osteochondrosis?
In the acute period, physical exercises are contraindicated, the patient must comply with bed rest. When the pain subsides, the patient should undergo exercise therapy - perform general strengthening exercises. They must be selected by a doctor. At the same time, it is important to monitor your well-being during physical activity. If an exercise causes pain, it is important to limit its intensity or eliminate it.