Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a pathology in which degenerative changes in the structures of the spinal column are observed.The disease is accompanied by fatigue, pain in the back, lower extremities, as a result of which motor activity is reduced.Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine depends on the symptoms, severity, severity of the disease.The absence of timely therapy leads to the further spread of the pathological process, a decrease in motor activity, flexibility of the spinal column is observed, and in severe cases the patient is assigned a disability group.
Causes of the disease
The disease develops for various reasons, most often lumbar osteochondrosis occurs for the following reasons:
- uneven load on the spinal column;
- curvature of posture;
- heredity, defects of the bone system;
- flat feet;
- Excess weight;
- inflammatory processes, metabolic disorders;
- hormonal disorders;
- Running an incorrect lifestyle.
The most common cause of the disease is a sedentary lifestyle, so increasing physical activity is the key to a healthy spine.
Degree and type of disease
The following degrees of disease are distinguished:
- The crack in the fibrous ring of the disk, which leads to the development of irritation of the affected area.The deformation is weakly expressed, the condition is accompanied by reflex-boilers.Lift weights, sharp movements lead to the appearance of pain.
- The continuation of the degenerative process is accompanied by a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, which leads to a pinching of nerve roots.The vertebrae are displaced, pain is paroxysmal, goosebumps arise on the skin, and sweating process is activated.
- The final rupture of the fibrous ring, squeezing the nucleus beyond its limits, the development of intervertebral hernia.Spine deformation complicates the functioning of internal systems and organs.
- The final deformation of the spinal column.Against the background of this state, its motor activity becomes impossible.Bone growths are manifested on the radiograph.The pain syndrome disappears for a while, but this does not indicate the presence of an improvement.With the fourth degree of osteochondrosis, there is a high probability of assigning a disability group.
Types of illness:
- Erosive osteochondrosis - pathology develops against the background of changes in the intervertebral disc due to early aging, slowdown in metabolism;
- Deforming osteochondrosis - accompanied by the growth of thickenings in bone tissues, the occurrence of osteophytes, the disease is not amenable to complete cure.
Symptoms
The main symptom of the disease is considered pain, which occurs against the background of degenerative changes in the lumbar spine.The disease is also accompanied by other signs, most often it is headache, fatigue, irritability, fatigue.A discomfort can lead to sleep problems, since in this state a full rest and the restoration of the body are impossible.Against the background of the loss of strength, there is a need to minimize physical activity, as a result, the ability to perform the most elementary actions is lost.
One of the symptoms of the disease is also considered problems with the reproductive system, urination disorders, dysfunction of other internal organs occur.The condition is accompanied by low sensitivity, spasming of the lower extremities, dry skin.
Rook syndrome
One of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is royshold syndrome.It occurs against the background of thinning of the intervertebral discs.The vertebrae gain mobility, their displacement is accompanied by compression of blood vessels and nerve roots.The pain migrates from one place to another.Against the background of irritation of the roots, inflammatory processes, edema develop for a long time, stagnation of blood, intoxication occur.
You can also recognize royshold syndrome by tingling, numbness, loss of sensitivity.The muscles are not able to tolerate physical activity, fatigue occurs when descent and lifting the stairs.In the absence of timely therapy, impaired functioning of the pelvis arise, which threatens with paralysis.
Ischemic syndrome
Ischemic syndrome is also one of the signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.This condition occurs with constant squeezing of the vessels, which leads to tossing muscles, gait disturbances, and increasing fatigue when walking.
The process leads to a deficiency of nutrients and ischemia in the pelvic organs, against which pain in hips, perineum develops.
Vertebrate syndrome
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region leads to deformation of the spine, against this background, stooping, shedding of the pelvis, weakening of the muscles up to their complete atrophy.Against the background of the listed phenomena, a gait violation is observed, further destruction of discs occurs.
Pain syndrome
The nature and severity of pain depends on the stage of development of the disease.At the initial stages, it manifests itself only with increased loads, as the disease develops, the pain can be constantly held.
Diagnostics
Timely diagnosis will help to identify the disease at an early stage, therefore, in the presence of the first signs of the disease, you should seek medical help.When it is carried out, the history of the anamnesis is used, inspection, palpation, and other methods are carried out.
Instrumental diagnostics
Main methods:
- X -ray - carried out on the lateral and rear projections;
- CT - allows you to get more accurate data, the method is considered less safe;
- MRI is a painless, safe way to identify osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine.
The listed methods allow you to identify the disease, to establish its place of localization.
Laboratory
General and biochemical blood tests are used to identify an inflammatory reaction, its intensity and related changes.
Traditional treatment
Osteochondrosis is accompanied by severe pain, treatment should be primarily aimed at eliminating this symptom.A rapid cure is achieved through the use of different methods of treatment of osteochondrosis.Therapy includes taking medications, the use of physiotherapeutic techniques, exercise therapy, and in the presence of complications, surgery is prescribed.
Medication
The main method of treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is considered to take medications.Dosage and frequency are prescribed by a doctor.
The main groups of drugs:
- Chondroprotectors (tablets, injections, ointments) - their action is aimed at suspension of degenerative processes.The duration of therapy can reach several years.
- Vasodilating drugs - they help activate blood circulation processes.
- NSAIDs - have anti -inflammatory properties, are prescribed for acute and chronic forms.
- Sedatives - their action is aimed at normalizing the work of the central nervous system, the work of which is disrupted against the background of severe pain.
- Muscle relaxants - taking drugs allows you to get rid of muscle cramps, as a result, the motor activity of muscles is restored.
- Vitamins - most often prescribed polyvitamins with calcium in the composition.Their action is aimed at strengthening bone tissues, increasing the sensitivity of nerve endings.Reception helps to accelerate cure, establish metabolic processes.
Surgical treatment
With complications of deforming osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, surgical intervention is prescribed.The most common type of operation is the discoctomy, when it is carried out, the affected intervertebral disc is removed.The operation is considered appropriate provided that the effect of traditional treatment is absent for six months.In addition, microsurgical, endoscopic methods of therapy are used.
Medical gymnastics exercise therapy
With the acute phase of osteochondrosis, any increased loads should be avoided.The physician is prescribed by the doctor, he is also engaged in the selection of exercises, classes are carried out under his control.Experienced patients can engage in independently, the selection of exercises is carried out individually.The effectiveness of the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is achieved only if the exercises are regularly performed.
Therapy and procedures
As part of the treatment of osteochondrosis, physiotherapeutic methods are often used.Most often it is:
- acupuncture;
- electrophoresis;
- hirudotherapy;
- magnetotherapy;
- ultrasound;
- massage;
- Other methods.
The action of therapy is aimed at activating blood circulation, they have soothing, anti -inflammatory properties.The use of physiotherapy allows you to reduce the volume of drugs, many of them can only be used in the absence of exacerbations.
In the treatment of acute lumbar osteochondrosis, it is recommended to reduce activity, it is best to lie.The orthopedic belt that will create an additional load on the vertebrae will help reduce pathological manifestations.There are several varieties of orthopedic structures, the doctor should recommend the desired option.
As part of the treatment of the disease, a relaxing or classic massage is often used, it is a mandatory point in complex therapy.The procedure should be trusted with trusted specialists.Massage promotes relaxation, restoration of tissues, after it blood circulation is activated, oxygen and nutrients are provided to tissues.
Nutrition
Correction of the diet is considered an additional tool on the way to the cure of the disease.Products with a high content of carbohydrates, vitamins, and animal proteins should be included in the diet.
The volume of simple carbohydrates, salt, sugar, spices, smoked, canned dishes should be limited.
Folk treatment
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the use of folk recipes is also allowed, such therapy shows effectiveness in combination with taking medications.
Effective recipes:
- Dilute crushed raw potatoes with honey, attach in the form of a compress to the affected area.For such purposes, boiled potatoes without additives can be used.
- 1 tsp.Mint and 1 tsp.Brusniks pour 1 tbsp.boiled water, add little olive.The mixture should be used for rubbing, the procedure is recommended to be carried out at night.
- Mix in an equal ratio of ginger and garlic, use for rubbing.
Before treating osteochondrosis of the spine, namely, its lumbar department with traditional medicine, you should consult a doctor.It should be borne in mind that their action is aimed at suspension of the inflammatory process, relief of pain, and not to eliminate the cause of the disease.
Prevention
Osteochondrosis will help to avoid the treatment of prevention.For this, it is recommended:
- avoid hypothermia of the lumbosacral department;
- lifting/lowering weights should be carried out without jerks;
- Avoid lifting weights;
- Regular change in the position of the spine, which will help to avoid stooping;
- Performing exercise.
In order to avoid osteochondrosis, you should not do hard work without appropriate preparation.If you need to work at the computer, choose the right chair and a table, take care of the light.