Lumbar osteochondrosis is a spinal deformity in the lumbar region. The disease affects the intervertebral discs, cartilage, spinal roots and nerve fibers and causes back pain.
CMRT clinics have been specialized in the conservative treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis for over 10 years. The centers are equipped with modern specialized equipment for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and rehabilitation. Experienced specialists apply an individual approach, constituting a set of therapeutic measures aimed at combating the pathology at all stages.
Important!
An accurate diagnosis, determining the causes and nature of the disease, and only a qualified doctor in internal consultation can prescribe effective treatment.
Causes
The main cause of the disease is the incorrect distribution of the load on the musculoskeletal system. This often happens when walking in high heels, carrying a bag on the side, with an uncomfortable posture in a dream or at sedentary work. At risk are the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, professional athletes and office workers.
Other causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- injuries, bruises, fractures of arms, legs, spine
- damage to organs of the musculoskeletal system
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, causing a deficiency of nutrients
- body strain 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
- intervertebral bumps and hernias
- severe intoxication
- metabolic disorders
- curvature of posture
- 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 sooner the patient detects signs of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the more effective the treatment will be.
General symptoms:
- severe pain in the lower back, which can 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
- Difficulties moving, walking, bending and turning the body
- occasional back pain
- rapid fatigue after a light load
- back crunch, impaired mobility, pain at rest
- limb numbness
- muscle spasms and cramps
- dizziness
- weakness and loss of strength
- decreased muscle tone and tenderness
In men and women, manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis may differ. Men can have problems with potency. Women are more likely to suffer from pain in the pelvic area. When the deformed spine cannot fully support the back, the uterus and appendages experience additional loads and sometimes change from their normal physiological position.
varieties
The classification of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consists of several varieties of the disease. According to the type of pain syndrome, there are:
Lumbago. acute symptom. Expressed by acute low back pain and inability to move. Occurs with muscle spasms, injuries, compressed discs, and nerve roots.
Backache. It is characterized by prolonged aching pain caused by hernias, bumps, spondyloarthroses, sprains and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Sciatica. Severe 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 painless sitting and standing.
Discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis and radiculopathy are also differentiated.
Discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by loss of sensation and numbness not only in the sore back, but also in the legs, buttocks, thighs and lower abdomen. Sometimes the body temperature rises, weakness appears, urinary incontinence, the patient loses weight.
Radiculopathy is expressed by numbness of the nerve roots and a decrease in a person's motor skills. Signs - tingling or pain throughout the lower body, impaired reflexes, decreased muscle and joint tone of the extremities.
Stages of development of lumbar osteochondrosis
Doctors trace the dynamics of pathology into four stages:
First. Symptoms are almost invisible - they are diagnosed on X-rays. The stage begins with pathological processes in the pulp cavity of a dried out disc and microcracks in the annulus fibrosus.
Second. The height of the intervertebral discs decreases, which makes the vertebrae closely spaced. This causes vertebral slippage and displacement, 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 the protrusion of the vertebrae, protrusions, joint dislocations and arthrosis in the spine.
Bedroom. The hardest grade. In it, the functions of the spine are disrupted and bone growths (osteophytes) are formed. The growths can pinch nerves or damage the integrity of the vertebrae.
The consequences of osteochondrosis of the lumbar
- Excessive accumulation of salt in the body
- development of hernia, protrusion, prolapse of vertebrae and discs
- chronic sciatica
- paresis and paralysis of the legs
Diagnosis
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 bones, 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 and MRI scans. You can get a diagnosis from the CMRT network of clinics.
We also recommend undergoing plasma therapy procedures, pharmacopuncture. To maintain health, services of manual therapy and osteopathy, 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 is as follows: the doctor diagnoses, determines the degree of development of the disease and identifies complications. With this in mind, he selects a treatment method - 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 held when remission occurs and the patient does not suffer from pain. The doctor monitors the patient's condition during physical activity, if pain or discomfort occurs, he corrects the exercise or cancels it.
Each therapeutic fitness class takes place in several stages. During warm-up, the patient performs light exercises that warm up the muscles and disperse 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 intensities, which effectively relieve even severe pain
- ultrasound therapy with exposure along the affected spine
- alternating magnetic field magnetotherapy
To achieve the best effect, the patient is given a complex of several physiotherapy procedures.
kinesiology recording
For anesthesia, a cotton plaster with hot melt adhesive is used. There are special types of therapeutic applications for neck, chest, back and joint problems.
Injections for osteochondrosis of the lumbar
With lumbar osteochondrosis, the doctor may prescribe the following injections to the patient for treatment:
- chondroprotectors protect cartilage tissue from further destruction, slow down the development of dystrophic disorders
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation, have an antipyretic and analgesic effect by 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, as the treatment method has contraindications. For example, many drugs are prohibited for allergic, pregnant and lactating people.
drug treatment
Doctors try to get away from this method of treatment, but in extreme cases they prescribe the following drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region:
- analgesics only have an additional analgesic or anti-inflammatory effect
- antispasmodics relieve muscle spasms, due to which the pressure on the nerve endings ceases and the pain subsides
- vasodilator drugs improve blood microcirculation, help reduce the recovery time of the spine after treatment of osteochondrosis
Tablet treatment is carried out separately or in combination with injections. For example, a certain drug is prescribed in the form of pills, 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 pain and stabilizes the spine.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
- Make a moderate schedule 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 properly
Which doctor to contact
The neurologist makes an accurate diagnosis, prescribes treatment and, if necessary, corrects. If the disease is accompanied by severe pain or disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, it may be necessary to consult with other specialists.
Common questions
How to provide assistance during 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 any exercise causes pain, it is important to limit its intensity or eliminate it.