Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the main cause of lower back pain in 3 out of 4 cases.If left untreated, a herniated disc often occurs, leading to difficulty walking and significant mobility restrictions.The disease is widespread - more than 50% of people complain of its manifestations at various stages.No wonder, because the entire lower back is the lower part of the spine and bears the greatest load.
Can the “price of walking upright” be avoided, what is needed for early diagnosis and how can the progression of the disease be stopped or slowed?Let's look at it in the article.
What is lumbosacral osteochondrosis?
In addition to the 33 bones that make up the spine, the human spinal cord also includes cartilaginous intervertebral discs.They give the spine stability against vertical loads and also play the role of a spring that cushions movements - it is thanks to them that our bones do not rub against each other and the back bends.Together with muscles and ligaments, they are involved in the human body assuming different positions.Without these cartilage “spacers,” we would not be able to run, jump, and walk without suffering from excruciating headaches and injuries.However, over time, they tend to wear out - this is facilitated by the genetic "weakness" of cartilage tissue, uneven distribution of the load (for example, with poor posture), poor nutrition and many other factors associated with the lifestyle of a modern person.The disease is characterized by a chronic course with periodic relapses.Complete cure is impossible, but timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine gives almost 100 percent effect and leads to a normal life.
Degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue of the spine lead to degeneration of the intervertebral discs.It manifests itself as difficulty moving, muscle hypertonicity, stabbing or constant pain.The consequence of abrasion of the intervertebral discs is a deterioration of tissue trophism, the appearance of microcracks in the bones and osteophytes, protrusion of the spinal cord and compression of internal organs.For this reason, lumbar osteochondrosis is called a disease of the whole body - it can trigger a chain of metabolic disorders affecting the abdominal and pelvic organs (mainly the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system), the spinal cord and brain, etc.The radicular syndrome or radiculopathy caused by this disease can cause neuralgic pain in the heart and even the stomach.Sometimes leg paresis and other severe symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are observed.
If the disease is localized in the lumbar region, vertebral displacements often occur due to sudden everyday movements.In this case, patients find it difficult to walk and sit, an inflammatory process begins, the relief of which requires drug treatment, physiotherapy, a special exercise therapy program for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine and observation by an orthopedist.In some cases, realignment of the vertebrae is required - a quite painful procedure, after which significant relief occurs after 1-2 days.It can only be performed by a chiropractor – an osteopath and a vertebroneurologist.
Signs of lumbar osteochondrosis
Older - and sometimes young - people who do not know how lumbar osteochondrosis manifests itself, often look for completely rational explanations for back pain.Cold, strained, laid down ... In fact, pain and pain syndrome often indicate that compression of a nerve, root or even a segment of the spinal cord has already occurred, which means that the disease has passed the first stage and requires not only symptomatic, but also supportive treatment.
- Osteochondrosis of the 1st degreeThe lumbar region is characterized by mild pain in the sacrum and above, which feels like a kind of echo and does not attract special attention.Discomfort can only occur after sleep, prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position, or heavy physical activity.In this case, patients attribute the unpleasant sensations to “numbness” of the limbs, but hardware examination and modern diagnostics help to detect even a minor displacement of the intervertebral disc and the appearance of a crack in the fibrous ring of the spine.
- Osteochondrosis 2 degreesThe lumbar spine manifests itself through chronic fatigue and discomfort as well as reduced resilience.Pain and discomfort (“goosebumps”, sensitivity to cold, etc.) in the lumbar area become constant companions for patients;Sometimes there are spasmodic contractions of the muscles below the affected area - the gluteal, thigh and spinal muscles.There may also be a partial decrease in sensitivity or, conversely, the appearance of neuralgia, which, due to its neurogenic nature, is difficult to relieve with conventional painkillers.During training, stabbing pains are observed, the so-called.“Shots.”A feeling of stiffness occurs when you have to sit in one position for at least 10-15 minutes and is particularly noticeable after sleeping or a day at work.At this stage, conservative treatment is still effective - the disease responds well to therapy, and a stable remission without acute phases of the disease can be achieved over many months.
- Osteochondrosis 3 degreesLumbar spine is already a complicated disease characterized by gradual destruction of the tissue of adjacent fibrous rings and persistent pain.Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine reach their peak, impairing the ability to work and leading to disability.This stage is dangerous because intervertebral hernias and other irreversible changes occur in the spine, which can affect large nerves and vessels.At this stage, severe dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system and significant mobility restrictions, including paralysis and paresis, can occur.Stage 3 of lumbar osteochondrosis significantly affects the quality and life expectancy and may require additional support when walking (e.g. a cane).
A number of experts also differentiate between stages 4 and 5, with scarring of the cartilage occurring in the fourth stage and the fifth being considered incompatible with life.However, with timely treatment and lifestyle changes, such cases are rare in practice.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
Exacerbation of the disease can be triggered by infections or colds, stress, hormonal disruptions, weight gain, pregnancy, age-related changes, intoxication of the body, overwork, dehydration, hypovitaminosis, smoking, high physical activity, unbalanced diet, uncomfortable work at the workplace or bed, injuries.At the same time, osteochondrosis is characterized by constant microtraumatization - sometimes damage to the lower back requires not a bruise, but an excessively strong tilt, rotation or elevation of the leg.
Therefore, chondroprotectors against lumbar osteochondrosis, along with taking multivitamin complexes, immunomodulators and gymnastic exercises, are included in the mandatory preventive course.In addition, it is advisable to eliminate or compensate for the above factors if possible.
How to treat lumbar osteochondrosis?
The question of how osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine should be treated - with medication or non-drug therapy - cannot be answered unequivocally.Treatment of the disease is carried out in several directions:
- Elimination of symptoms that affect the patient's quality of life;
- partial regeneration of connective tissue;
- Implementation of a preventive program that prevents the progression of destructive processes in cartilage and bone tissue (maintenance of a muscle corset, general tone, etc.).
There are no nerve endings and blood vessels in the cartilage - this determines the specifics of the diagnosis and treatment of osteochondrosis.Firstly, the cartilage cannot harm, and therefore self-diagnosis of the disease is difficult and the vast majority of patients already turn to an orthopedist or vertebroneurologist with lumbar osteochondrosis of the 2nd or 3rd degree.The further the cartilage destruction progresses, the more strain is placed on the already worn-out intervertebral discs, the faster the disease progresses and the more difficult it is to bring about positive changes.The reason for this is that the cellular restoration of cartilage occurs very slowly - the nutrition of the tissue is predominantly diffuse.Therefore, a general improvement in the patient's condition plays an important role on the path to remission.Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis necessarily includes a diet, maintenance medications for 1-3 months, as well as special gymnastic exercises.During training, separate time is allocated for warm-up exercises that stimulate the nutrition of the adjacent tissues, and therefore the cartilage.The warm-up must be alternated between training sessions, be it sitting at the computer or long walks.
Sometimes the doctor may prescribe wearing compression devices - for example, corsets, bandages to keep the spine in the correct position.This measure is effective if there are accompanying posture disorders.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include oral and external anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, analgesics, chondroprotectors, as well as drugs that improve metabolism (B vitamins and others) and blood circulation, glucocorticosteroids, neurotransmitters and enzymes.Immunomodulators are used in cases of reduced immunity and susceptibility to infectious diseases.Constant pain can lead to depression, which also requires treatment.If the patient suffers from cramps or swelling, anticonvulsants and diuretics are also prescribed.Tablets for lumbar osteochondrosis, suspensions, injections, gels and applicators do not need to be used constantly - as a rule, the doctor prescribes an individual maintenance treatment at longer intervals.In the acute phase, when the pain is extremely severe, a specialist can do the so-called.Paravertebral block – an injection of anesthetic at the point where the nerve root exits the spine.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy and massage are effective both in the acute form of the disease and in remission and remain the most successful methods of conservative treatment.They help to improve nutrition and blood supply to problem areas, improve muscle support of the spine, relax the back and stabilize the condition.Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine includes sessions with shock wave therapy, electrophoresis, mud and paraffin baths, hot stone therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic baths, etc. Therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occupy a special position - like massage, it primarily includes stretching the spine in order toto free trapped nerve roots.For example, traction during rotation can change the angle of curvature of the spine in lordosis, resulting in pain relief.
Therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine must take into account the presence of excess weight and other diseases and injuries, gender and age characteristics, and the severity of pain.The best effect is achieved through constant movement.
With advanced osteochondrosis, a neurosurgeon can find indications for surgical treatment – microdiscectomy or installation of an expandable titanium implant.
The question of how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine should in any case, without exception, be answered by a doctor.Self-medication and the lack of a complete diagnosis lead to incorrect determination of the boundaries of the pathological process and its stage, and therefore to an incorrect treatment program.In some cases, there is even a deterioration in the condition caused by improper performance of therapeutic exercises, unprofessional selection of painkillers and NSAIDs.After clarifying the symptoms and treating osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with your doctor.
You can start taking the chondroprotector Artracam - this domestic drug improves metabolic processes and prevents further deformation of the cartilage, and with complex treatment it even shows positive dynamics and increases cartilage tissue without injections!