Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, dimensions

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a pathology associated with degenerative processes in cartilage tissue.

This disease causes damage to all joints, but the intervertebral discs are predominantly affected.

If you suffer from back pain, you should see a doctor immediately. If you do not do this, the pathology will lead to serious complications.

What is lumbar osteochondrosis?

This term refers to a disease that causes damage to the intervertebral discs. They are a gel-like substance located in the annulus fibrosus. The upper and lower parts of the intervertebral discs are covered with thin cartilage tissue.

After some time, the gel-like mass loses moisture and becomes thinner and less elastic. Under the influence of loads, the cartilage tissue is deformed. The consequence of these processes is the formation of a protrusion or hernia. The formations lead to compression of the nerve roots, which causes the disease.

Lumbar osteochondrosis is quite common and causes negative health consequences. This disease often results in pinching of the sciatic nerve. This poses a risk of severe pain.

Possible complications of the disease

If treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is not started on time, the pathology leads to dangerous health consequences. The disease can cause reactive spondylosis. It also provokes the appearance of arthrosis of the knee or hip joint.

In women, damage to the lumbar vertebrae during pregnancy can lead to complications. This is particularly dangerous in the third trimester, which is characterized by high stress on the spine. In men, degenerative processes lead to potency problems.

In addition, the lack of adequate and timely therapy has the following consequences:

• Sciatica;
• spinal deformity;
• loss of feeling in the limbs;
• vertebral instability;
• pathologies of internal organs;
• radiculitis;
• complete loss of motor activity.

Main symptoms and signs of lumbar osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is characterized by slow development. Often the diagnosis is only made in advanced situations when serious manifestations are present. That is why it is so important to recognize signs of lumbar osteochondrosis in a timely manner. These include the following:

• Lower back pain. In the early stages of the disease, this symptom only appears after lifting weights. As the pathology progresses, the pain syndrome becomes unbearable.
• Decreased physical activity. This symptom is caused by compression of nerve fibers. When bending or twisting, discomfort occurs that radiates down to the legs.
• Loss of sensation in the lower extremities. With the development of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of numbness are caused by permanent damage to the nerve roots. This symptom waxes and wanes periodically. In this case, the patient feels burning, numbness and tingling in the lumbar region and below.
• Local decrease in skin temperature. It becomes pale, dry and flabby.
• Heavy sweating.
• Spinal syndrome. This symptom occurs in advanced cases. Sexual dysfunction and problems with urination often occur.

Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis

The appearance of osteochondrosis is caused by increased load on the spine. Excessive pressure on the lower back causes the cartilage structure to break down. The risk of developing the disease increases under the influence of the following factors:

• Bad posture.
• Physical inactivity. Lack of physical activity leads to muscle weakness.
• Disturbance of calcium metabolism.
• Chronic deficiency of micro and macro elements. This may be due to nutritional disorders.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Hypothermia.
• Stress factors.
• Strength or extreme sports.
• Damage to the musculoskeletal system.
• Overweight.

What are the stages of the disease?

The disease develops gradually. Doctors distinguish the following stages of lumbar osteochondrosis:

• Firstly, at this stage there is tolerable pain in the lumbar region, which increases after physical exercise. This symptom indicates destructive processes in the hard drives. The person experiences a burning and tingling sensation. Sometimes these symptoms radiate to the buttocks.
• Secondly, at this stage the distance between the vertebrae decreases and the fibrous ring is destroyed. The person feels severe pain. When you move, it radiates to the hips, buttocks and legs. The affected area may feel cold or burning. During a seizure, the patient is forced to bend in the opposite direction.
• Thirdly, the fibrous ring is completely destroyed at this stage. The vertebral tissue is severely deformed. This provokes the occurrence of an intervertebral hernia. With the development of such osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, constant pain of high intensity occurs.
• The fourth involves abnormal disc growth and bone destruction. At this stage, the cartilage tissue atrophies significantly. This leads to disruption of a person's motor activity and even disability.

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience discomfort in the lumbar area, you should consult a doctor immediately. To make an accurate diagnosis, a specialist prescribes diagnostic tests. For this purpose, an interview and examination of the patient is carried out. The doctor also prescribes x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging.

To cope with the pathology, complex therapy is used. It must solve the following problems:

• stop inflammation;
• strengthen the muscle tissue of the legs;
• eliminate pain syndrome;
• improve metabolic processes and blood circulation;
• normalize the functioning of the pelvic organs;
• Restore sensitivity.

The pathology is characterized by progression of pain. In the initial stages, taking tablet analgesics is sufficient. In advanced situations, it is no longer possible to avoid injectable medications.

Drug therapy includes the use of the following drugs:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They help with swelling and inflammation. This makes it possible to eliminate compression of blood vessels and fibers and relieve pain. The most effective remedies include Diclofenac and Nimesil.
• Analgesics. They are prescribed during a period of exacerbation of the pathology, which is accompanied by severe pain. Such drugs have many side effects. Therefore, they must be prescribed by a doctor. Baralgin or Pentalgin are most often prescribed.
• Muscle relaxants. Such remedies help to cope with muscle spasms. This allows you to eliminate discomfort. This category includes Mydocalm, Sirdalud.
• Glucocorticosteroids. These are hormonal agents that help manage inflammation and improve the functions of the nervous system. The drug Ambene is highly effective.

In addition to medication, the following therapy methods are used:

• Physical therapy. The muscles are strengthened through special exercises. This helps to achieve correct posture, increase the flexibility of the ligaments and prevent complications of osteochondrosis. Gymnastics improves blood circulation, normalizes metabolic processes, increases the distance between the vertebrae and reduces the load.
• Manual therapy. Individual manual techniques are used to relieve pain and improve posture. This type of treatment restores motor activity, normalizes blood circulation, strengthens the immune system and activates metabolic processes.
• Massage. This procedure can have a relaxing or tonic effect on the body. With its help, it is possible to reduce the strain on the muscles, stimulate blood circulation and activate lymphatic drainage. Massage also relieves pain and has a relaxing effect.
• Physical therapy. For lumbar osteochondrosis, ultrasound, low-frequency currents and a magnetic field are used. This helps to manage pain, relieve inflammation and normalize blood circulation. Physiotherapy products stimulate recovery processes and increase the effectiveness of medications.

Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis

To avoid the occurrence of lumbar osteochondrosis, you should follow the basic recommendations:

• Avoid hypothermia of the lower back.
• control attitude;
• To do sports;
• Change your posture during monotonous work.
• refuse to lift heavy objects;
• Healthy food.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is a common pathology that causes dangerous complications. To alleviate the symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to consult a neurologist in a timely manner. The doctor conducts diagnostic tests and selects appropriate therapy.

How is treatment carried out in a modern clinic?

Consultation with the doctor: anamnesis, myofascial diagnostics, functional diagnostics.

How are you?

Taking anamnesis – analysis of the disease, identification of limitations and contraindications, explanation of the principles of exercise therapy, features of the recovery period.

Myofascial diagnostics is a manual diagnostic method in which the doctor assesses the range of motion of the joints, detects painful tension, swelling, hypo- or hypertonicity of the muscles and other changes.

Functional diagnostics (carried out in the rehabilitation room) - the doctor explains how certain exercises are performed on the devices and observes: how the patient performs them, what range of motion he can work with, what movements cause pain, what weight the patient can carry while working with them, how the cardiovascular system reacts. Vascular system. Problem areas are identified. The data is entered into the map. Accents are set.

Based on the results of the initial medical examination and functional diagnostics, a preliminary individual treatment program is drawn up.

It is advisable to have the following with you:

• for pain in the spine - MRI or CT (magnetic resonance or computed tomography) of the problem area;
• for joint pain – X-ray;
• if there are concomitant illnesses - an extract from the medical history or outpatient card;
• comfortable (sports) clothing and shoes

Lessons with a teacher

At the beginning of the treatment cycle, the doctor and patient create a treatment plan that includes the date and time of the treatment session and follow-up visits with the doctor (usually 2-3 times a week).

The basis of the treatment process is treatment sessions in the rehabilitation room with simulators and sessions in the gym.

Rehabilitation simulators allow you to precisely dose the load on individual muscle groups, thereby ensuring an appropriate physical activity regime. The treatment program is compiled by the doctor individually for each patient, taking into account the body characteristics. Supervision is provided by qualified trainers. At all stages of recovery, it is important to adhere to the correct movement and breathing technique, know your weight when working on exercise equipment, adhere to the prescribed treatment regimen and follow the recommendations of specialists.

Joint gymnastics sessions help restore visual coordination, improve joint mobility and elasticity (flexibility) of the spine, and are an excellent self-use prevention system.

Each treatment cycle consists of 12 sessions. Each lesson is supervised by a teacher. The duration of a treatment session is 40 minutes to 1. 5 hours. The lecturer creates a program taking into account comorbidities and the patient's condition on the day of the course. Teaches the technique of executing exercises and monitors correct execution. A second doctor's consultation takes place every 6th lesson; changes and additions are made to the program depending on the dynamics.

How many cycles will it take? – individual for everyone

It is important to know:

• How long have you had this problem (stage of the disease)?
• How prepared is your body for physical activity (do you do gymnastics or another sport)?

If the disease is in its early stages and the body is prepared for it, one course of treatment is sufficient. (Example - young people 20-30 years old who play sports. We concentrate their attention on the technique of performing exercises, breathing and stretching, excluding "wrong" exercises that are harmful to problem areas. Such patients are trainedand gain the ability to "take care of your body", receive recommendations in case of exacerbation and continue learning independently).

If the problem has existed for a long time, you do not do gymnastics or have comorbidities, then you need a different period:

• Alleviate the anger? One or two cycles are enough
• Restoring functionality, walking continuously (climbing stairs), bending over, performing certain tasks without strain, remaining motionless for a long time while traveling, improving the condition in general. Three or more cycles of treatment may be required

Each organism is individual and the program for each patient is individual.