Lumbar spinal osteochondrosis is the leading cause of lower back pain in 3 out of 4 cases.If left untreated, it often leads to a herniated disc, causing the patient to have difficulty walking and significant limitations in mobility.The disease is widespread - more than 50% of people complain of its manifestations at various stages.And not surprisingly, the whole lower back is the lower part of the spine, and it bears the heaviest burden.
Is it possible to avoid "the price to walk upright," what is needed for its initial diagnosis, and how to stop or slow down the disease?Let's see in that article.
What is lumbosacral osteochondrosis
In addition to 33 bones that form vertebral columns, the human spinal cord also includes the intervertebral disc Cartilaginous.They provide stability to the spine against vertical loads, and also play a role in spring movement, soften - thanks to them that our bones do not rub each other, and back bend.Together with muscles and ligaments, they are involved in the human body that practices various positions.Without this "spacers" of the cartilage, we would not be able to run, jump and walk without having a great headache and an unusual injury.However, over time, they tend to wear - this is facilitated by the "weakness" of the cartilage tissue genetics, and the distribution of uneven load (for example, with weak posture), and poor nutrition, and many other factors related to modern lifestyle.The disease is characterized by chronic courses with periodic tremors.Complete healing is impossible, but the treatment of timely lumbar spinal osteochondrosis gives almost 100% effects and returns to normal life.
Degenerative changes in the spinal cord tissue result in deterioration of intervertebral discs.It is expressed in discomfort when moving, muscle hypertonicity, sharp shooting or persistent pain.The consequences of intervertebral discs are deterioration of tissue trophism, the appearance of microcrack in the bone and osteophytes, spinal cord, and compression of the internal organs.For this reason, lumbar osteochondrosis is called disease throughout the body - it can cause metabolic disorders that affect the stomach and pelvis organs (especially the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system), spinal cord and brain, and so on.Radicular syndrome, or radiculopathy, caused by the disease can cause nerve pain in the heart and stomach.Sometimes the foot paresis and symptoms of severe osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine are observed.
When the disease is localized in the lumbar region, vertebral displacements often occur due to daily movements.In this case, it is difficult for patients to walk and sit, the process of inflammation begins, relief that requires drug treatment, physiotherapy, special training therapy program for lumbar spinal osteochondrosis and orthopedis observation.In some cases, the restructuring of the vertebra is required - a relatively painful procedure, after a significant release occurs after 1-2 days.It can only be done by chiropractors - osteopath and vertebroneurologists.
Sign of lumbar osteochondrosis
After feeling the pain in the back, older - and sometimes young - people who do not know how lumbar osteochondrosis show themselves often looking for a true explanation - a rational fact for this.Getting cold, pulled, lying down ... In fact, pain and pain syndrome often indicate that nerve compression, root or even spinal cord segments have occurred, which means the disease has passed the first stage and requires not only symptoms, but also supportive treatment.
- First degree osteochondrosisThe lumbar region is characterized by mild pain in the sacrum and above, which feels like echo and does not attract specific attention.Discomfort can only occur after sleep or prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position or significant physical activity.In this case, the patient describes the unpleasant sensation of the "numbness" of the limbs, but modern hardware and diagnostic examinations help to identify even a slight transfer of spinal discs and the appearance of cracks in the spinal cord.
- Osteochondrosis 2 degreesThe lumbar bone manifests itself through a feeling of fatigue and chronic discomfort, and a decrease in load carrier capacity.Pain and discomfort ("goosebumps", cold sensitivity, etc.) in the lumbar region becomes a continuous friend of the patient;Sometimes the muscle spasmodic contraction located below the affected area appears - gluteal, femoral, and spinal cord.There is also a decrease in partial sensitivity or, rather, the appearance of neuralgia, which is difficult to relieve with conventional painkillers due to its neurogenic nature.When exercising, sharp pain is observed, called."Shot".Feelings of stiffness appear in cases where you need to sit in one position for at least 10-15 minutes, and especially mentioned after sleep or working days.To this end, conservative treatment is still effective - the disease responds well to therapy, stable remission without the duration of acute disease can be achieved for months.
- Osteochondrosis 3 degreesThe lumbar bone is already a complicated disease, characterized by the gradual destruction of the nearby fibrous ring tissue and uncontrollable pain.Signs of lumbar spinal osteochondrosis reach its peak, reduce the ability to work and cause defects.This level is dangerous due to the appearance of intervertebral hernia and irreversible changes in the spinal column, which can affect large nerves and vessels.At this stage, the severe functional impairment of the musculoskeletal system and significant mobility limitations, so that paralysis and paresis may have appeared.Level 3 Lumbar osteochondrosis affects quality and life expectancy and may require additional support while walking (for example, sticks).
A number of experts also distinguish stages 4 and 5, where in the 4th there is cartilage scars, and the 5th is considered inappropriate for life, however, with timely treatment and lifestyle changes, such cases are rare in practice.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
The increase in the disease can be triggered by infectious or flu, stress, hormone disorders, weight gain, pregnancy, age -related changes, body intoxication, hard work, dehydration, hypovitaminosis, smoking, high physical activity, unbalanced diet, uncomfortable work or bed, injury.At the same time, osteochondrosis is characterized by persistent microtraumatization - sometimes - sometimes damaging the bottom does not require bruises, but tilt, turn, or lifting the legs too sharp is sufficient.
Therefore, chondroprotectors for lumbar osteochondrosis are included in the mandatory prevention course, in addition to taking multivitamin complexes, immunomodulators, and gymnastics exercises.It is also advised, if possible, to eliminate or balance the above mentioned factors.
How to treat lumbar osteochondrosis
The question of how to treat lumbar spinal osteochondrosis - with drugs or non -drug therapies - cannot be clearly answered.The treatment of the disease is carried out in several directions:
- elimination of symptoms that reduce the quality of life of the patient;
- partial regeneration of connective tissue;
- Implementation of preventive programs that prevent the development of damage processes in cartilage and bone tissues (maintaining muscle corsets, general tones, etc.).
The cartilage has no nerve endings and blood vessels - this determines the specific diagnosis and treatment of osteochondrosis.First, the cartilage cannot hurt, and therefore the self-diagnosis of the disease is difficult and the majority of patients turn to orthopedis or vertebroneurologist already with lumbar osteochondrosis of the 2nd or 3rd degree.Further the destruction of the cartilage runs, the more pressure that the disc experience is, the faster the disease lasts, and the more difficult to achieve.The reason for this lies in the fact that the cellular recovery of the cartilage occurs very slowly - tissue nutrition occurs mainly in the absorbent way.Therefore, the general improvement in the patient's condition plays an important role in the path to forgiveness.Lumbar osteochondrosis treatment should include diet, 1-3 months of maintenance, and special gymnastics training.In training, separate times are allocated for heating, which stimulates adjacent tissue nutrition, and therefore cartilage.Heating must be alternating between episodes of training, whether sitting at a computer or walking.
Sometimes doctors can prescribe wearing compression devices - for example, corsets, bandages to support the spine in the right position.This step is effective for equivalent postural disruption.
Treatment of lumbar spinal osteochondrosis
Drugs for the treatment of lumbar spinal osteochondrosis include oral and external anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, analgesics, chondroprotectors, as well as drugs to improve metabolism (vitamin B etc.) and blood circulation, glucocorticosteroids, neurotransmiters, enzymes.With reduced immunity and susceptibility to infectious diseases, immunomodulators are used.Persistent pain can cause depression, which also requires treatment.If the patient has seizures or swelling, anticonvulsants and diuretics are also prescribed.Tablets for lumbar osteochondrosis, suspension, injection, gel and applicator do not need to be used continuously - doctors usually prescribe individual maintenance courses at significant intervals.In the acute phase, with very severe pain, the specialist can put what is called.Paravertebral block - anesthetic injection to a place where the nerve root comes out of the spine.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy and massage are effective in the form of acute diseases and in remission, the rest of the most successful conservative treatment methods.They help improve nutrition and blood supply to the problem area, improve spinal column support, help loosen the back and stabilize the condition.Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis includes shock wave therapy sessions, electrophoresis, mud and paraffin baths, hot stone therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic baths, and more.For example, the traction during rotation can change the angle of the spinal curvature during lordosis, which reduces pain.
Therapeutic training for lumbar spinal osteochondrosis must take into account the presence of excess weight and other illnesses and injuries, gender and age features, and severity of pain.The best effects are achieved with continuous training.
With advanced osteochondrosis, a neurosurgeon may find indications for surgical treatment - microdiscectomy or the installation of developed titanium implants.
The question of how to treat lumbar spinal osteochondrosis should be answered by a doctor in all cases without exception.Personal medicine and lack of full diagnosis leads to the wrong determination of the boundaries of the pathological process and its stage, and, as a result, the wrong treatment program.In some cases, there is also a deterioration in the situation, due to the unnatural performance of therapeutic training, the selection of painkillers and unprofessional NSAIDs.After explaining the symptoms and treatment of lumbar spinal osteochondrosis with your doctor.
You can start taking Artracam chondroprotector - this domestic drug improves metabolic processes and prevents further deformation of cartilage, and with complex treatment it even shows positive dynamics and increases cartilage without injection!