Lumbar osteochondrosis is a deformation of the spine in the lumbar region. The disease affects the 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, creating a series 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 meeting can prescribe an effective treatment.
Causes
The main cause of the disease is the wrong distribution of the load on the musculoskeletal system. This usually happens when you walk in high heels, carry a bag on one side, with an uncomfortable posture in a dream or in a sedentary job. 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 the organs of the musculoskeletal system
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, causing a lack of nutrients
- body tension during prolonged exercise
- psychoemotional disorders
- disorders of blood circulation in the spine
- inflammation of the musculoskeletal system
- infections of internal organs and vertebrae
- joint stiffness, disc displacement
- intervertebral protrusions and hernias
- severe intoxication
- metabolic disorders
- posture bending
- sedentary lifestyle
- dehydration
- unbalanced diet
- lack of calcium and oxygen
- excess weight
- bad habits
- age-related changes
- joint diseases
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The intensity and nature of the symptoms depends on the stage of the disease. The sooner the patient discovers the 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
- Difficulty moving, walking, bending and turning the body
- occasional back pain
- rapid fatigue after a light load
- back pain, impaired mobility, pain at rest
- numbness of limbs
- muscle spasms and cramps
- dizziness
- weakness and loss of strength
- decreased muscle tone and sensitivity
In men and women, the manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis may differ. Men may 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 are sometimes displaced from their normal physiological position.
varieties
The classification of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consists of several types of the disease. According to the type of pain syndrome, there are:
Lumbago. acute symptom. It is expressed by sharp lumbago and the inability to move. Occurs with muscle spasms, injuries, pinched discs and nerve roots.
Lumbargia. It is characterized by prolonged pain caused by hernias, sprains, spondyloarthrosis, sprains and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Sciatica. Strong pain syndrome in the lumbosacral region, radiating to the pelvis. Pain radiates to the sciatic nerve, preventing normal bending and stretching of the body and preventing pain-free sitting and standing.
Lumbar discogenic osteochondrosis and radiculopathy are also distinguished.
Lumbar discogenic osteochondrosis is associated with loss of sensitivity and numbness not only of the injured back, but also of the legs, buttocks, thighs and lower abdomen. Sometimes the body temperature rises, weakness, urinary incontinence appears, 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 the pathology in four stages:
First. Symptoms are almost invisible - they are diagnosed by x-ray. The stage begins with pathological processes in the pulp cavity of an overdried disc and microcracks in the fibrous annulus.
Secondly. The height of the intervertebral discs decreases, which causes the vertebrae to be narrowly spaced. This causes vertebral slippage and displacement, which is accompanied by pain during movement.
Third. It is characterized by stiffness, instability, body numbness in the coccyx, lower back and sacrum. This can be explained by the lengthening of the vertebrae, protrusions, joint dislocations and arthrosis in the spine.
Fourthly. The most difficult level. Above it, the functions of the spine are interrupted and bone growths (osteophytes) are formed. Growths can compress nerves or damage the integrity of vertebrae.
Consequences of lumbar osteochondrosis
- Excessive accumulation of salt in the body
- development of hernia, protrusion, prolapse of vertebrae and discs
- chronic sciatica
- paresis and paralysis of the legs
Diagnosing
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 the 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. You can get a diagnosis at the CMRT network of clinics.
We also recommend performing plasma therapy procedures, pharmacopuncture. To maintain health, manual therapy and osteopathy services recommend exercise therapy.
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 rate of development of the disease and identifies complications. With this in mind, he chooses 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 performed 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 appears, corrects the exercise or cancels it.
Each lesson of therapeutic gymnastics takes place in several stages. During the warm-up, the patient performs light exercises that warm the muscles and distribute 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 to reduce the neurological manifestations of the disease
- diadynamic therapy with the influence of currents of different intensity, which effectively relieve even severe pain
- exposure ultrasound therapy along the affected spine
- magnetotherapy with an alternating magnetic field
To achieve the best effect, the patient is prescribed a complex of several physiotherapy procedures.
Kinesiology Bar
For anesthesia, a piece of cotton with hot melt glue is used. There are specific 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 patient the following injections 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 medicines are prohibited for those who suffer from allergies, pregnant mothers and nursing mothers.
Drug treatment
Doctors try to avoid this method of treatment, but in extreme cases, they prescribe the following drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region:
- analgesics have only analgesic or additional 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
Surgery is a radical measure, 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
- Make a moderate schedule of sports therapy and exercise
- take breaks at 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 it. If the disease is accompanied by severe pain or disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, it may be necessary to consult other specialists.
Frequently asked questions
How to provide help during acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis?
A patient who has back pain should be helped to get into a comfortable position in which the pain recedes. 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 observe bed rest. When the pain goes away, the patient should do exercise therapy - perform general strengthening exercises. They should be chosen 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 it in intensity or eliminate it.