Symptoms and treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis

The most common cause of back pain is the development of musculoskeletal diseases such as osteochondrosis. Previously, this pathology was found mainly in the elderly and less middle-aged, but now osteochondrosis is much younger, often diagnosed in people aged 20-30 years.

According to medical statistics, the disease mainly affects the spine and lumbosacral spine.

Features of the disease

Osteochondrosis is a pathology of the musculoskeletal system, which affects the most important component - the spine. It is caused by dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs.

The disease not only affects the tissue of the intervertebral discs, but also begins negative changes in the surrounding tissues that affect the ligaments and muscles.

The reason for the spread of the lumbar form of osteochondrosis is that this part of the spine is exposed to the greatest physical stress.

With this disease, characteristic changes occur in the nucleus pulposus, which is part of the intervertebral disc. This disc performs damping functions.

If the water exchange in the intervertebral discs is disrupted, it becomes thinner and increases fragility.

People in the elderly are most sensitive to the pathological process, because metabolic processes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs begin to deteriorate at a certain age.

Under the influence of negative changes, the boundaries of the pulposus nucleus gradually expand, tending to enter the intervertebral space. This usually ends with the displacement of the nucleus into the spinal canal, resulting in nerve fibers and blood vessels constricting and constricting.

Compressed nerves cause pain in osteochondrosis. There may be a deterioration in the work of internal organs.

With the development of pathology, the pressure on the spine increases. The body tries to compensate for the defect, and the growth of bone tissue in the spine is significantly accelerated. As a result, pathological growths - osteophytes - are formed in the spine. As a result, it further impairs the function of the affected spine.

A patient with advanced forms of osteochondrosis may have paralysis of the lower extremities. Delayed access to medical care can lead to disability.

Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar and lumbosacral spine

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar and lumbosacral lumbar spine develops due to improper distribution of spinal load. If this is combined with other negative factors, the development of osteochondrosis is accelerated, which can take more severe forms.

May cause illness:

• regularly perform heavy physical work, lifting heavy objects (certain professions, as well as athletes involved in weightlifting are at risk);
• Insufficient physical activity, which adversely affects the condition of the muscles and leads to deterioration of blood circulation, metabolic processes and a decrease in the amount of nutrients entering the tissues;
• The patient is overweight, which leads to constant heavy loads on the spine;
• posture and improper gait problems;
• presence of congenital deformities or other defects of the spine or the whole skeleton;
• Straight legs can also lead to the development of osteochondrosis, because in patients with deformity of the foot, the arch can not fully absorb the load during movement, which leads to an increase in the load on the intervertebral discs;
• traumatic spinal cord injury;
• genetically determined disorders in the formation of bone tissue;
• age-related changes;
• infections affecting bone tissue (tuberculosis, osteomyelitis);
• inflammatory processes affecting bones and joints (including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis);
• vitamin and mineral deficiency;
• Exposure to harmful and toxic substances.

The most common cause of pathology in patients with poor posture is a heavy load on the spine.

Symptoms of the disease

The manifestation and severity of the symptoms of osteochondrosis depends on the stage of the disease.

There are 4 stages of the disease:

1. The first stage is characterized by pain in the lumbar region (lumbago), spasms of the surrounding muscle tissue and swelling in the affected area. During this period, the nuclear pulp of the intervertebral discs begins to change and move, which irritates the nerve endings.
2. In the second stage, the process of destruction of the fibrous rings of the intervertebral discs begins. The vertebrae become unstable, increased mobility, resulting in a constant tension of the neighboring muscles. Pain is noted along the sciatic nerve. At this stage of the disease, sometimes there may be disorders of the internal organs.
3. In the third stage, the fibrous rings rupture and the pulposus nucleus is released. The result is herniated discs. All this contributes to further deformation of the spine (scoliosis, kyphosis or lordosis can be observed). Acute pain is persistent due to the radicular syndrome in which the nerve roots are compressed by pieces of fibrous rings.
4. The fourth stage is characterized by acute deformities of the spine, pathological growths in the vertebrae. There may be significant relief of pain, but this does not mean an improvement in the patient's condition. On the contrary, a person's actions are severely limited. In general, patients with stage 4 osteochondrosis need disability registration.

One of the main symptoms of the disease is pain in the lower back, which can spread to the tailbone and lower extremities. It is divided into 3 types:

1. Lumbago- Acute pain attacks that begin when making sudden movements or lifting heavy objects.
2. Lumbodynia- Severe regular pain associated with damage to intervertebral cartilage and muscle fibers.
3. Lumboishalgia- characterized by pain in the lower back, as well as in the legs, a feeling of cold or heat.

A person's psychological condition can also cause pain.

In addition to pain, it is characterized by osteochondrosis:

• feeling of weakness in the lower half of the body and legs;
• Deterioration of tendon reflexes of the lower extremities;
• tingling that can be felt from the lower back to the feet;
• curvature of the spine;
• With lumbosacral osteochondrosis, there is often a malfunction of the pelvic organs (urination, fecal retention, erectile dysfunction);
• Skin problems (dryness, peeling, blue color) and changes in sweating can also be in the back and thighs.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately to start treatment immediately and avoid serious consequences.

Treatment of lumbar and lumbosacral osteochondrosis

Medical

For a patient diagnosed with osteochondrosis, the doctor may prescribe the following types of therapy (including several at once):

• drug treatment;
• physiotherapy procedures;
• medical massage and manual therapy;
• surgery.

Let's take a closer look at each of these methods.

Medications are prescribed to relieve pain, fight inflammation, and improve the regeneration of diseased tissues. The patient can be assigned:

• analgesics (helps reduce pain);
• muscle relaxant (used to relax muscle fibers and relieve spasms);
• chondroprotectors (promotes the regeneration of cartilage and bone tissue and protects against adverse effects);
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• diuretics (diuretics) are prescribed in case of edema;
• drugs that improve blood circulation;
• vitamin and mineral complexes.

With common forms of osteochondrosis, blockages may be prescribed when conventional analgesics are ineffective. As with which specific medications to use, the treatment regimen and duration are determined by the physician, taking into account the stage of the disease and the severity of symptoms.

To increase the effectiveness of treatment, it is advisable to prescribe physiotherapy in combination with medication. The following procedures are indicated for osteochondrosis:

• laser therapy;
• magnetic resonance therapy;
• phonophoresis;
• shock wave therapy.

These treatments help reduce pain, reduce inflammation, and repair damaged tissue. The use of laser beams is very effective, which allows you to achieve a stable remission.

When prescribing phonophoresis, additional topical drugs are used (this method allows the drug to penetrate directly into the lesion under the skin). Your doctor may also prescribe ozone therapy to maximize tissue oxygenation.

It should be noted that physiotherapy is contraindicated in certain pathologies. It should not be prescribed to patients with oncological diseases, thyrotoxicosis, diabetes, tuberculosis, infectious diseases.

Massage and manual therapy can be prescribed simultaneously with drugs and physiotherapy procedures that increase the therapeutic effect.

These methods affect the conduction of nerve impulses and help to normalize muscle tone.

Surgery is indicated only in the later stages of the disease, when other treatments are useless. Operation required:

• the patient suffers from severe pain that cannot be controlled with medication;
• disc herniation;
• The patient is diagnosed with spinal cord compression (which leads to impaired sensitivity and motor function - from weakness to paralysis);
The development of
• ponytail syndrome is noted.

Today, more and more modern high-tech and low-traumatic operations are performed, which allow to significantly shorten the rehabilitation period. In the absence of complications, the patient will be able to move normally for several months after surgery.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine treats help reduce pain, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility. Here are some ways to treat osteochondrosis with folk remedies.

1. You should take raw potatoes, chop and mix with natural honey. The resulting mixture should be placed on your back and fixed with a bandage for at least 2 hours. Applying hot boiled potatoes to the affected area also helps.
2. Grate the garlic and mix in equal parts with the ginger. Then add a little olive oil. The resulting drug should be rubbed on the back at night to improve blood circulation and reduce muscle tension.
3. Mix a tablespoon of menthol oil with a tablespoon of fir oil. The mixture should be rubbed on the back.
4. Take 200 ml (1 cup) of boiling water ½ tablespoon chopped pine or spruce needles and infuse for 30 minutes. Drink ½ glass 2 times a day.
5. Mix a tablespoon of lingonberries and mint herbs, boil in boiling water (1 cup), allow to infuse and strain. For the broth gradually throughout the day.

It is important to understand that folk remedies cannot replace a doctor's visit. Folk remedies temporarily relieve symptoms, but do not completely eliminate the disease.

In addition, they may not be suitable for every patient, so it is recommended that you consult a specialist before use.

Physiotherapy exercises

Physiotherapy exercises are aimed at strengthening the back, thigh and thigh muscles, which help reduce pain, reduce the degree of compression of nerves and blood vessels, and restore comfort.

To make the exercises as effective and harmless as possible, certain guidelines must be followed:

• movements should be performed in a natural fabric garment that does not restrict movement;
• lumbar spine should not be hypothermic during physical training;
• If you need to hold a lying position to perform the sport, it is better to put a round roll under the lower leg;
• you should start exercising an hour before meals;
• In order to achieve a lasting positive effect, it is necessary to engage in regular physiotherapy exercises;
• exercises should be performed smoothly, slowly, focusing on muscle work;
• you should follow your breathing, it should be equal and deep;
• It's a good idea to keep a diary of changes from the day you start exercising.

Which exercises to do depends on the severity of the symptoms of osteochondrosis.

In acute lumbar osteochondrosis, you should not overload the spine, follow bed rest (preferably using an orthopedic mattress) and train your body by repeating each movement 8-10 times. Here are some suggestions:

1. Lie on your back, put a roll under your thighs and bend your knees. The patient should bend and flex his hands in a fist, while bending his legs at the ankles. These movements are performed in turns with each arm and leg.
2. Alternatively, you just need to bend and flex your legs by moving your knees. At the same time, the back should not move.
3. Rotate each leg in turn.
4. Stretch your arms and legs, then start bending and stretching the elbows of both arms at the same time. You need to breathe during flexion and you need to breathe during extension. Keep your hands on your palms.

Recommended exercises for subacute lumbar osteochondrosis:

1. Keep your feet on the mat with your knees bent. Slowly lift the sacrum while breathing, the lower part of the thoracic spine should stand on the mattress. After 1-2 seconds, slowly lower the lower half of the back.
2. You should lift your head and stretch your abdominal muscles while lying on the mat and breathing. Return to the starting position on exhalation.
3. In the up position, pull back with sliding movements without lifting the heel off the mattress. After a few seconds, straighten your legs. The movements should be repeated for each leg separately and for both legs at the same time.
4. In a four-legged position, sit on your heels with your hands sliding on the mat. Then take the starting position.
5. Get up on all fours, relax your neck. Squeeze your chin to your chest, bend your back like a cat, and correct this position for a few seconds. It is necessary to ensure that the head does not rise and the back is maintained in the accepted position.

Patients in remission can do any of the above exercises.

Physiotherapy exercises, if possible, should be done 3-4 times a day for any form of lumbar osteochondrosis, but you must consult a doctor before starting exercise.

Preventive measures

Like most diseases, osteochondrosis is easier to prevent than to try to get rid of its consequences later. It is recommended to minimize the likelihood of developing the disease:

• to ensure a healthy and balanced diet;
• lead an active life, move as much as possible;
• Do not expose the spine to excessive loads;
• Do exercises to strengthen your back muscles.

Diseases and injuries that can lead to the development of osteochondrosis should be treated immediately. If you notice even minor symptoms that may indicate spinal problems, you should not delay seeing a doctor.

Result

Lumbar osteochondrosis is a disease that should be taken as seriously as possible to prevent serious consequences. If you follow a healthy lifestyle and follow the recommended preventive measures, the likelihood of pathological development will be minimal.

If symptoms appear, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Timely medical care is the key to stable remission, which allows you to stop the pathological process, maintain the patient's ability to work and to some extent restore the previous state of the musculoskeletal system.