Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system. It is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes of the joint and bone tissue. Lumbar osteochondrosis implies that tissue damage has occurred precisely in the lumbar region and sacrum, so the patient will experience the corresponding symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine gives a person significant discomfort. Negatively affects the condition not only of the back, but also of the lower limbs. About how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, it is necessary to consult a specialist - a neurologist or a traumatologist. This complex disease should not be treated alone or on the advice of relatives and friends. Self-medication can only aggravate the process and cause even more damage to the spine.

High-quality treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out in the hospital. There are specialists who specialize in eliminating this problem.

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: causes

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is considered a disease of older people. However, recently, lumbosacral osteochondrosis is increasingly being diagnosed in young people (at the age of 25-30). This is due to the fact that many young people lead a sedentary lifestyle and spend a lot of time on the computer. An additional factor is the constant stress that a young person experiences in the modern world. In combination with inappropriate nutrition, the predominance of fast food, this leads to a deterioration in the condition not only of the spine, but also of the whole organism.

Lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine is a type of pathology localized in the lumbar region. This is one of the most common types of osteochondrosis. The exact causes of the development of the disease are not fully known, but there are provoking factors, the presence of which significantly increases the likelihood of developing osteochondrosis. These include:

• sedentary work;
• curvature of posture;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• excessive stress on the spine (professional sports, regular weight lifting, hard physical work);
• overweight;
• back injuries;
• age (over the years the tissues of the spine undergo natural aging and thinning processes);
• inflammatory diseases of the joints (arthritis, arthrosis, scoliosis, etc. );
• diseases accompanied by metabolic disorders;
• Unhealthy lifestyle;
• hereditary predisposition.

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms

At an early stage, it is quite difficult to identify lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Symptoms and treatment of the disease will depend on the extent of damage to the tissues of the spine. Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear gradually, starting with mild discomfort and, in advanced cases, with the appearance of acute pain. It is impossible to postpone the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. As the disease develops, the symptoms will only intensify, causing the person more discomfort. In a severe acute period, it hurts a person to even get up, so it is necessary to treat lumbar osteochondrosis immediately. Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

• pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the most striking sign of the pathology. They can build up gradually, becoming stronger during movements (bending or lifting weights). As the disease progresses, the intensity of pain will increase, and during an attack of acute osteochondrosis it will be unbearable;
• violation of the mobility of the lumbar spine. Pathological processes in the spine affect the ability of this department to perform any movements: it is difficult for a person to bend over, turn to the sides, sit with an even back;
• rupture of the lower limbs. There is a violation of gait, numbness, tingling, feeling of "goosebumps", muscle weakness in the legs;
• pallor of the skin is noted, which is associated with a violation of the blood supply to the affected area;
• sexual dysfunction (possible in severe cases).

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine: symptoms and degrees

There are four degrees to which lumbar osteochondrosis develops. Symptoms and treatment directly depend on the degrees of osteochondrosis: the intensity of the manifestations of the disease increases with the progression of the dystrophic process, which is important to consider when drawing up a course of therapy.

Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is classified as follows:

1. 1st degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is manifested by slight discomfort in the lumbar region. They can occur after intense physical exertion or a long day at work. A person may experience pain in the back or buttocks, as well as a tingling sensation in the lower back;
2. 2nd degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine feels more pronounced. At grade 2, the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc begins. The distance between the vertebrae narrows or lengthens and the intervertebral disc begins to extend beyond the vertebrae. Compression of the nerve roots of the spine occurs, which is expressed in significant lower back pain, which is reflected in the buttock, thigh and lower leg area. The person may also feel a burning or cold sensation in the lower back;
3. 3rd degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is characterized by the final destruction of the fibrous ring. The contents of the intervertebral disc come out - a hernia is formed. The nerve roots are compressed more strongly, an inflammatory process occurs, which is accompanied by constant severe pain in the lumbar region;
4. 4th degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is accompanied by complete atrophy of the cartilage and pathological proliferation of the vertebrae. This is a compensatory reaction of the body to the violation of the intervertebral disc. At this stage, the pain usually subsides, however, this indicator does not indicate an improvement in the condition. Proliferation of the vertebrae greatly impairs the mobility of the spine and can lead to disability.

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of exacerbations

Exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be triggered by a sharp movement, weight lifting, hypothermia. Acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis can gradually increase or appear suddenly. Most often, the exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by severe sharp pain. During an attack, a muscle spasm occurs in the lumbar and thoracic spine, which interferes with the movement of the back to prevent increased pain. Pain in the acute period extends to the area of the buttocks and leg, which are communicated by nerve fibers with the affected area of the spine. A person is forced to take a certain position and not change it (usually this is a horizontal position with a bent sore leg). Even minor movements, such as coughing, can cause a new bout of pain.

An exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the treatment of which must be started immediately, can last for several days or weeks (depending on how quickly adequate therapy is started). In a specialized hospital, acute osteochondrosis is treated immediately after the patient is treated. The hospital's inpatient ward is open 24 hours a day, so the patient can get help at any time. To relieve acute pain, blocks are performed - the introduction of an analgesic to the affected area, which contributes to a significant improvement in the condition. After the elimination of the acute period, the main course of treatment is started.

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and diagnosis

Treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis begins with diagnosis. It is necessary to find out whether this is true osteochondrosis and what is the extent of tissue damage. Lumbar osteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-rays. The image will clearly show the state of the intervertebral disc and vertebrae. The doctor specifies the location of the lesion and assesses the degree of development of the disease. If necessary, an additional MRI or CT scan may be ordered to clarify the details.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made in the hospital's diagnostic center, which has everything necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Experienced staff use modern equipment, which makes it possible to quickly and correctly identify the patient's ailment. The results of the diagnosis will determine how neurologists and physiotherapists treat lumbar osteochondrosis.

Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medications

After the diagnosis, each patient is interested in the question "How to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine? " Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region will be complex and will consist of drugs and physiotherapy. In the hospital, each component of treatment is determined by the appropriate specialist based on the individual characteristics of the patient. Symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine allow you to choose the most optimal therapy that will be most effective.

Medical treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis includes several types of drugs, each of which performs its own function:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: relieve pain and inflammation;
• painkillers - relieve intense pain that the previous group of drugs is unable to cope with;
• muscle relaxants - relieve muscle spasm;
• chondroprotector: they stop the degenerative process, promote the regeneration of the tissues of the spinal column;
• vitamin complexes - normalize nerve conduction, improve the protective properties of the body.

All medicines, their dosage and duration of administration are strictly determined by the attending physician.

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: treatment with physiotherapy

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine includes a course of physiotherapy. It is also an important part of treatment, just like drug therapy. Some patients are interested in how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine without physiotherapy. However, with the use of drugs alone, it will not be possible to get rid of the disease. The drugs will ease the pain, which will come back anyway, and quite quickly.

In the hospital, osteochondrosis physiotherapy is performed in the rehabilitation department by qualified specialists. The patient is prescribed a rehabilitation course, taking into account his abilities and her needs. Physiotherapy includes:

• massage for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
• spinal stretch;
• physiotherapy exercises;
• reflexology (acupuncture);
• hardware methods of exposure (electrophoresis, amplipulse, phonophoresis, etc. ).

Only by applying complex treatment is it possible to cure osteochondrosis. Low back pain usually subsides within a few days of starting therapy (depending on the degree of the disease). However, this is not a reason to stop the course of treatment. To achieve the best result and exclude a rapid relapse of the pathology, it is necessary to complete a comprehensive course, which is drawn up by specialists. Using effective methods of treatment, professional doctors achieve a significant improvement in the patient's condition, which allows him to return to a fulfilling life.