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 soon as possible, then this condition leads to deformation of the bodies of the neighboring 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 constantly felt discomfort in the lumbar region, sacrum, legs, which are caused by osteochondrosis and its complications. Among all the reasons for the loss of the ability to move normally, this disease occupies one of the first places.
reason
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 discomfort for the patient, occurs more often due to increased stress on the spine. This is the reason why the disease manifests itself more often in those whose work activity is associated with physical work and lifting weights.
- Another factor that provokes the disease is excess weight, which increases the pressure on the spine.
- The lack of any load and physical inactivity worsen the nutrition of the disc tissue and slow down the blood flow, metabolic processes in the spine. The muscular corset weakens significantly and creates a favorable background for the development of pathological changes.
- Incorrect body position, if the patient likes to sit with a bent spine, leads to the fact that the load on the discs and vertebrae is uneven, the discs are deformed and wear out quickly.
- Often the cause of lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which bring a lot of inconvenience to the patient's life, can be injuries. They occur during sports, exercises without proper preparation, incorrect lifting of heavy weights, injury during a fall.
- Some experts believe that osteochondrosis is predetermined even at the level of genetics, regardless of which particular department degenerative changes are observed.
- The patient's age also has a special influence: over the years, the segments of the spine lose their mobility, elasticity and are therefore subject to destruction and deformation. Previously, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of which are quite unpleasant, was considered a disease of the elderly, but today it appears in young people from 25 to 30 years old.
- A predisposing factor can be some pathologies that are associated with inflammation in the joints of the spine or changes in its structure and shape: ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis, scoliosis, disc instability.
In rare cases, the cause of the development of osteochondrosis can be:
- hypothermia;
- stress;
- 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 according to degrees of osteochondrosis
The classification of osteochondrosis according to degrees is used to systematically characterize the clinical manifestations of the disease. The classification allows you to describe the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis and determine exactly at what point 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 sudden severe pain, in the back there is a feeling that a person has been shocked, the muscles are tense reflexively.
- The second degree of symptoms resembles intervertebral protrusion and instability of the spinal cord. The pain is aggravated by physical activity. Constantly alternating exacerbations and remissions. If osteochondrosis occurs in the cervical region, then the pain intensifies when a person stands in one position for a long time, frequent headaches, discomfort in the arm and shoulder and fatigue in the lower extremities are disturbed.
- 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 disease, gastrointestinal tract, disorders in the reproductive system.
- The fourth degree begins with the fact that the hernia is not felt, the manifestations may weaken, but the symptoms of instability of the spinal trunk, twisting of the vertebrae still persist. In addition, growths of the vertebral bodies may appear, which often press the spinal nerves or block the canal, compressing the brain with the back. This rate can be attributed to the consequences of surgery, if the hernia is surgically removed.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of which bring a lot of discomfort, is a rather unpleasant disease. It requires complex emergency treatment and constant monitoring by a specialist.
Symptoms of pathology
Depending on the symptoms, the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis may be different. This is due to the fact that the disease affects the nervous system, therefore there are often problems that appear in different parts of the body, which are in no way related to the back.
In the early stages of the disease, pain may appear after a heavy physical strain or a long stay in one position, for example, a person often spends time sitting at a computer. As the disease progresses, the pain becomes chronic. If the pain syndrome does not appear, then instead of it there may be discomfort that interferes with a normal life. The complex of symptoms can be as follows:
- pain in the lumbar region, often radiating to the buttocks or legs;
- muscle spasms 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 disturbances in the lower part of the patient's body;
- numbness in the legs, frequent tingling sensations in the fingers;
- cold feet;
- sweating dysfunction;
- dryness of the skin in the area where the pain occurs.
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 more intense. 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 to feel the unpleasant discomfort caused by the disease.
Diagnostic methods
Initially, before starting the diagnosis, the doctor must collect an anamnesis of his patient, examine him carefully, assess the state of health. In addition, instrumental methods of examination may be required.
A complete history will allow the doctor to suggest what causes the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine, as well as to assess the risks of its occurrence. Examination of the patient consists of palpation of painful areas, percussion, external examination of the skin. In some patients, the doctor may test sensitivity using 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 affected the spine and other organs are. The patient is advised 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 them, and all because other methods take pictures of the human body in only a few projections and do not allow a closer look at the whole 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 carry out a comprehensive examination and prevent complications.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lower back
It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis. Good results can be achieved if the patient has 1 and 2 degrees of the disease. But in any case, long-term treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region will be required, because the symptoms cannot be tolerated, they are so strong and unpleasant. Therapy aims to:
- reduce the intensity of pain in the lumbosacral region;
- eliminate muscle tension that does not allow a person to relax;
- strengthen the muscles of the back, buttocks and lower extremities;
- normalization of blood flow and metabolic processes in the affected area;
- elimination of the inflammatory process;
- restore the normal range of motion in the lumbar region and increase the sensitivity of the legs;
- improve the functioning of the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems.
Among the medicines, the doctor prefers the following:
- Definitely recommend painkillers. Analgesics help relieve pain, but cannot remove the causes of the disease.
- To remove swelling and radicular pain, NSAIDs are used, and in severe cases, steroid-based drugs are used to get rid of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine in women and men. Their action is aimed at reducing and eliminating inflammation.
- For local anesthesia, paravertebral blocks are used. The drug is administered along the midsection. Most often they are recommended for patients with 3-4 degrees of the disease.
- Muscle relaxants are recommended to eliminate spastic muscle contraction.
- Chondroprotectors improve metabolic processes in cartilage tissue, stimulate regenerative processes and significantly slow down their deformation.
- Vitamins belonging to the B group help improve cellular metabolism, reduce inflammation and help remove excess fluid from the body.
- Diuretics help eliminate swelling.
- Immunostimulants increase the activity of the immune system and improve the body's defenses.
- Means to improve blood flow in the area affected by the disease, which are administered intravenously.
Complementary therapies
The doctor may also recommend physiotherapy methods. Medicines alone will not be enough for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar sacral region, the symptoms of which bring pain to the patient. To eliminate pain and relieve muscle spasm, the following physiotherapy procedures are recommended to improve metabolic processes:
- amplipulse;
- electrophoresis;
- diadynamic current;
- magnetic resonance therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- laser treatment.
Therapeutic gymnastics will also not be superfluous, because with its help you can not only remove the pain syndrome, but also strengthen and relax the back muscles. Physical exercises can be done not only during the period of aggravation of the pathology, but also during recovery. Massage and reflexology give excellent results.
Surgery
For some patients with stage 4 disease, surgery may be recommended. This measure is used in cases where drug treatment does not give the desired results, with the appearance of severe neurological and motor disorders and the appearance of hernias. During the operation, the herniated discs are removed, after which plastic surgery is performed and the displaced vertebrae are reliably strengthened.
Folk methods of treatment
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine in men are not very 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 treatment methods, traditional medicine can be recommended. The patient must coordinate all his actions with the doctor. Good results in complex treatment were given by such herbal products:
- To prepare an ointment that improves 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 should lubricate the painful places at night. Place a dry woolen compress over the treated area.
- Mix equal amounts of butter and hop cones, this composition is applied to the waist region, when there is no strength to endure the pain and discomfort.
Folk remedies show good results in the early stages of treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, the symptoms of this pathology gradually disappear. It is better to use such recipes immediately after the first signs of the disease appear.
Consequences of the disease
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in men and women cause serious discomfort, a person cannot sit normally, sleep well and constantly experience discomfort. If timely measures are not taken at the first manifestations of the disease, then osteochondrosis can lead to serious complications in the form of inflammation of the sciatic nerve. This disease is characterized by severe pain in the middle and legs, possibly even numbness of the limbs. In an attempt to relieve the pain, many patients walk, leaning on the healthy side, but this position only worsens 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 the instability of the vertebrae. The intervertebral discs cannot cope with the function of fixing the vertebrae, and the lumbar region, under a heavy load, begins to slide down from the sacrum. This condition can result in disruption of internal organ systems. Women may experience inflammation of the uterus, appendages and men have problems with potency.
Preventive measures
You can prevent the disease if you use the following methods:
- eliminate heavy loads on the lower back;
- strengthen the back muscles;
- maintain proper posture;
- strengthening the spine with regular physical activity;
- observe proper nutrition;
- arrange rest;
- treat back pain in time.
Only a timely visit to the doctor and comprehensive treatment will give a chance to prevent complications and return to the previous way of life.