Thanks to upright walking, man became not only the pinnacle of evolution, but also acquired many problems.Due to the unnatural position of the body for a mammal, all the weight falls on the spine.Problems of the lumbosacral region are present in every third inhabitant of the planet.
What is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The key problem of the spine in the lumbar region is that all the load during the day falls on this department.In combination with extreme mobility, the back is also subjected to extreme tests.The lumbar spine is destroyed due to dystrophic, deforming changes, the ligamentous apparatus weakens and loses elasticity, the discs are compressed, and the intervertebral distance decreases.In critical stages of the disease, they begin to become overgrown with bone tissue, which pinches the nerve endings.The result is pain. Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Symptoms of lower back problems appear slowly and over a long period.Often the diagnosis is made in advanced forms of the disease, when there are pronounced periods of exacerbation.Therefore, it is very important to be able to distinguish the signs of lumbar osteochondrosis from an accidental ailment or the result of physical activity.The main symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- Lower back pain.No matter how trivial, this incoming symptom should make you think about an examination.In the initial stages, pain may appear only after lifting weights, for example, but every time, constantly.As it develops, the pain will become constant, and at the time of the attack it will become unbearable.
- Pinched nerve endings significantly limit the ability to move in different directions.Bends, turns or a simple sitting position can provoke painful attacks that move down the leg along the entire limb to the shin (reminiscent of an electric shock).
- Gradual injury to the nerve roots provokes a change in the sensitivity of the legs, and the symptom may increase or decrease.Characterized by a sensation of burning, numbness, tingling, pins and needles from the sacrum and below.If you ignore this sign of the disease, it will provoke muscle weakness and degradation of tendon reflexes.
- Local decrease in skin temperature, pallor, dryness, sagging, soreness.
- Increased sweating.
- Spinal syndrome.
- In extreme stages of the disease, sexual dysfunction and problems with urination are possible.
Initial stage of lumbar osteochondrosis
It is difficult to identify the initial stage of the disease due to the irregularity of symptoms, which may resemble ordinary fatigue after exercise.The signs are exclusively orthopedic, but gradually the pain during the attack will become unbearable, and the manifestations of the disease will no longer correlate with physical activity.With a timely visit to a specialist, treatment will take about 2 months and a few more for complete recovery.The primary signs of the disease are:
- pain in the lumbar region (nerve root irritation);
- painful shooting in the lower extremities, which can occur while walking;
- characteristic crunching and discomfort, especially often appearing in the morning.
Lumbar osteochondrosis 2nd degree
According to experts, stage 2 lumbar osteochondrosis has become the most common form of the disease among patients, since the first stage is rarely noticed by patients themselves and is difficult to diagnose.The development of the disease provokes new, more pronounced symptoms that accompany the patient for many years before moving into the third stage.Symptoms of the second degree of the disease are as follows:
- lumbodynia and lumboishalgia;
- primary mobility of the spinal segment;
- primary destruction of the fibrous ring and adjacent tissues;
- compression of nerve roots;
- the distance between the vertebrae decreases;
- irritation of nerve endings
Lumbar osteochondrosis 3rd degree
Just 20 years ago, third-degree intervertebral disc degeneration was a disease of patients over 40 years of age.Today the disease is significantly “younger”.Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region of the 3rd degree is considered an extremely advanced stage of the disease, when therapeutic exercises and massage already have minimal effect, and anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs become mandatory.The general symptoms of this stage are as follows:
- ischialgic scoliosis – inclination of the body away from the source of the disease;
- numbness of the lower extremities;
- spinal deformity;
- radicular syndrome;
- formation of intervertebral hernias;
- destruction of the fibrous ring;
- persistent pain spreading from the buttocks to the legs (outer thighs).
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region 4 degrees
This is already an extreme degree of the disease, which can only develop if the symptoms are completely ignored for several decades.It is characterized by complete degradation and destruction of cartilage tissue, degenerative deformations of the discs.At this stage, the patient may be partially or completely paralyzed or lose mobility due to pain, even to the point of being declared disabled.Treatment of grade 4 lumbar osteochondrosis in most clinical cases is surgery with active drug support.
Exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis
With constant symptoms, exacerbations of lumbar osteochondrosis have a strong pain effect.Acute shooting pain (lumbago) due to pinched nerve roots instantly spreads from the lower back down the sciatic nerve.In critical cases, loss of sensation down to the toes is possible.Acute lesions can disrupt the functioning of the pelvic systems (incontinence, sexual dysfunction, constipation).“Cauda equina syndrome” is especially dangerous; it causes complete loss of control below the disease point.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in women
With all the similar symptoms, the signs of lumbar osteochondrosis in women have their own specific characteristics.They are determined by the fact that the localization of the disease in the pelvic area has a negative impact on the female reproductive system.After the development of the second degree of the disease, the menstrual cycle changes (it may even be irregular and directly depend on exacerbations of osteochondrosis).During pregnancy, lumbar osteochondrosis can cause premature birth or miscarriage.The seasonality of exacerbations in patients is also noted.
How to treat lumbar osteochondrosis
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is a long process and requires an integrated approach.Based on the stage of the disease, its characteristics and the patient’s personal tolerance, different types of treatment are prescribed.Drug treatment is designed only to relieve pain symptoms; the disease itself cannot be cured with drugs alone.Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine uses the following methods:
- acupuncture to stimulate recovery reactions;
- hirudotherapy;
- suppression of pathological processes;
- all types of therapeutic massage;
- vacuum effect for protrusions in the spine, in the presence of hernias.
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Treatment regimen
The approach to combating lumbar osteochondrosis differs radically depending on the form of the disease.Some manipulations are unacceptable during the acute phase, but are useful during remission.Self-medication in the case of this disease is almost impossible.A set of exercises is selected and performed only by a professional massage therapist under the supervision of a specialist.
The treatment regimen for lumbar osteochondrosis in the acute stage is as follows:
- Complete relief of tension on the spine.In an ideal situation, arrange exclusively bed rest for the patient.For greater effect, it is better to use a special orthopedic mattress and bolsters for the lower back and neck.
- Use of muscle relaxants.Compensation for pathological processes and pain will enhance the effect of the massage and relieve muscle tension.It is important to remember that these drugs have a sedative effect, so they should not be used by those whose work requires increased attention.
- To relieve the consequences of pinching a large nerve, blockade injections based on novocaine or lidocaine are used.
The remission stage is treated according to the following scheme:
- Normalization of the conduction of nerve impulses and restoration of the sheath of nerve endings occurs with the help of B vitamins.
- Vasodilators are used to normalize blood circulation in tissues.
- Physiotherapy of various types aimed at preventing exacerbations.There are many varieties: magnetic therapy, special baths, therapeutic massage, acupuncture.
- Exercise therapy is an obligatory part of rehabilitation therapy.Exercises are selected individually for a specific case of disease.Such training will help to form a muscle corset, reduce regular stress and restore natural mobility in the lower back.
First aid for lumbar osteochondrosis
When the patient is able to move independently, the first aid for lumbar osteochondrosis is to minimize the mobility of the lower back and protect it from hypothermia.You can take pain-relieving medications, but in moderate dosage so that the doctor can determine the intensity of the pain syndrome.Nothing more can be done without an examination by a specialist.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The following drugs are divided into groups according to their mode of action.
- gels, creams and ointments – (help eliminate pain);
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- NSAIDs;
- B vitamins.
Exercises
During the acute phase of the disease, any exercise with a load is strictly contraindicated.Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine must be agreed with a doctor and carried out under his supervision.Experienced patients can exercise independently when they know the permissible limits of their own load.The set of exercises is selected individually, based on the intensity of the disease and location.
Massage
The use of massage for lumbar osteochondrosis remains a mandatory element of the course of treatment, therapy and prevention.It is imperative to remember that you should trust the procedure only to trusted specialists after making recommendations from your doctor.You can choose a classic or another type of massage yourself, but it is better to listen to the recommendations of a specialist so that the musculoskeletal system is properly strengthened.
Diet for lumbar osteochondrosis
Just a proper, balanced diet cannot cure the disease.Diet for lumbar osteochondrosis becomes an additional tool on the path to recovery.You should eat more foods with a large amount of B vitamins, animal proteins, and carbohydrates.It is necessary to limit the consumption of simple carbohydrates, salt, alcohol, coffee (tea), smoked foods, pickles, and seasonings.
Contraindications for osteochondrosis
Any disease has specific limitations that do not allow the use of different techniques and methods of treatment.Contraindications for osteochondrosis are associated with side diseases: gastrointestinal dysfunction, mental disorders, blood and lung diseases, ischemic syndrome.Under these conditions, active massage and exercise therapy are strictly prohibited.Exercises are not prescribed in the presence of injuries, tumors, hematomas and similar formations.It is prohibited to engage in active sports and strength training.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
It is possible to cure problems with the lower back, but it is better to prevent them, so preventing lumbar osteochondrosis will be an excellent alternative to a visit to the doctor.There are few basic rules, so taking care of the health of the spine is quite simple.Here's what to do to prevent lumbosacral osteochondrosis from appearing:
- do not overcool your lower back;
- during physical activity, lift and lower loads without jerking;
- do not carry excessive weights;
- watch your posture;
- change your position regularly and do not let the ridge stagnate in one position;
- do physical exercise;
- try not to do heavy work in the wrong position and without proper preparation.