Lumbar osteochondrosis is a deformity of the spine in the lumbar region. The disease affects intervertebral discs, cartilage, spinal roots and nerve fibers and causes back pain.
CMRT clinics have been specializing in the conservative treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis for more than 10 years. The centers are equipped with modern expert devices for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and rehabilitation. Experienced specialists apply an individual approach, forming a set of therapeutic measures to combat pathology at all stages.
Important!
Accurate diagnosis, determination of the causes and nature of the disease, and only a qualified doctor at an internal appointment can prescribe effective treatment.
causes
The main cause of the disease is the improper distribution of the load on the musculoskeletal system. This usually happens when walking in high heels, carrying a bag to one side, having an uncomfortable posture in a dream, or doing a sedentary job. Elderly people, pregnant women, women who have recently given birth, professional athletes and office workers are at risk.
Other causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Injuries, bruises, fractures on arms, legs, spine
- Damage to the organs of the musculoskeletal system
- Gastrointestinal disorders that cause nutrient deficiencies
- body tension during prolonged training
- psychoemotional disorders
- Circulatory disorders in the spine
- Inflammation of the musculoskeletal system
- Infections of the internal organs and vertebrae
- Joint stiffness, herniated disc
- Protrusions and intervertebral hernias
- severe intoxication
- metabolic disorders
- curvature of posture
- sedentary lifestyle
- dehydration
- unbalanced diet
- Calcium and oxygen deficiency
- overweight
- Bad habits
- age-related changes
- joint diseases
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The intensity and nature of the symptoms depend on the stage of the disease. The earlier the patient detects signs of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the more effective the treatment will be.
General symptoms:
- severe lower back pain that may radiate to the legs, internal organs of the abdomen and pelvis
- Pain in kidneys and sacrum
- Fatigue and tension in the lower back and sacral spine
- Difficulty moving, walking, tilting, and rotating the body
- occasional back pain
- rapid fatigue after light exertion
- Crunches in the back, limited mobility, pain at rest
- limb numbness
- Cramps and spasms in the muscles
- dizziness
- weakness and loss of strength
- decreased muscle tone and sensitivity
In men and women, the manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis may differ. Men can have problems with potency. Women are more likely to experience pelvic pain. If the deformed spine cannot fully support the back, the uterus and limbs experience additional loads and sometimes shift from their normal physiological position.
sorts
The classification of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consists of several variants of the disease. Depending on the type of pain syndrome, there are:
Lumbago. acute symptom. Expressed by sharp lumbago and the inability to move. Occurs with muscle spasms, injuries, pinched discs and nerve roots.
low back painIt is characterized by persistent aching pain caused by hernias, protrusions, spondyloarthrosis, sprains and other musculoskeletal disorders.
Sciatica. Severe pain syndrome in the lumbosacral area radiating into the pelvis. The pain spreads to the sciatic nerve, preventing normal flexion and extension of the body and preventing pain-free sitting and standing.
Discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis and radiculopathy are also distinguished.
Discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by loss of sensation and numbness not only of the sore back, but also of the legs, buttocks, thighs and lower abdomen. Sometimes the body temperature rises, weakness, urinary incontinence appears, the patient loses weight.
Radiculopathy is manifested by numbness of the nerve roots and a decrease in a person's motor skills. Signs - Tingling or pain throughout the lower body, impaired reflexes, decreased muscle tone and joints of the extremities.
Stages of development of lumbar osteochondrosis
Doctors track the dynamics of pathology in four stages:
First. The symptoms are almost invisible - they are diagnosed on x-rays. The stage begins with pathological processes in the pulp cavity of an overdried intervertebral disc and microcracks in the fibrous ring.
Second. The height of the intervertebral discs decreases, causing the vertebrae to be close together. This causes vertebral slippage and displacement, which is associated with pain on movement.
third partyCharacterized by stiffness, instability, numbness of the body in the tailbone, lower back and sacrum. This can be explained by bulging of the vertebrae, protrusions, dislocations of the joints and arthrosis in the spine.
Fourth. The hardest ending. The functions of the spine are disturbed on it and bone proliferations (osteophytes) form. Growths can pinch nerves or damage the integrity of the vertebrae.
The consequences of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
- Excessive accumulation of salt in the body
- Development of hernias, protrusions, prolapse of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs
- chronic sciatica
- Paresis and paralysis of the legs
diagnosis
An orthopedist, osteopath, neurologist, rheumatologist, chiropractor, and surgeon can diagnose lumbar osteochondrosis and other musculoskeletal conditions. An accurate diagnosis can be made after:
- X-ray of the spine showing the condition of bone, cartilage and muscle tissue as well as ligaments and tendons.
- Myelography is the study of cerebrospinal fluid using a dye. With its help, the nerve roots of the spinal cord are examined and evaluated.
For a more detailed examination, doctors use CT and MRI. You can get a diagnosis in the clinic network CMRT.
We also recommend plasma therapy procedures, pharmacopuncture. To maintain health, manual therapy and osteopathic services as well as exercise therapy are recommended.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
A neurologist is engaged in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine. The standard treatment regimen looks like this: the doctor diagnoses, determines the degree of development of the disease and identifies complications. Against this background, he chooses a treatment method – conservative or surgical.
physical therapy
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the spine is carried out in an equipped room under medical supervision. Classes are carried out when remission occurs and the patient has no pain. The doctor monitors the patient's condition during physical activity, if there is pain or discomfort, he corrects or stops the exercise.
Each therapeutic gymnastics lesson takes place in several stages. During the warm-up, the patient performs light exercises that warm up the muscles and disperse the blood. In the main part - exercises for the affected spine. Finally relaxing stretches.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Physiotherapeutic procedures are performed to relieve pain, improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition, reduce inflammation. Most often, patients are prescribed:
- Electrophoresis, which helps reduce the neurological manifestations of the disease
- diadynamic therapy with the influence of currents of different intensities, which effectively relieve even severe pain
- Ultrasound therapy with exposure along the affected spine
- Magnetic field therapy with an alternating magnetic field
To achieve the best effect, the patient is prescribed a complex of several physiotherapeutic procedures.
Kinesiology taping
A cotton patch with hot-melt adhesive is used for anesthesia. There are special therapy applications for neck, chest, back and joint problems.
Injections for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
With lumbar osteochondrosis, the doctor may prescribe the following injections to the patient for treatment:
- Chondroprotectors protect cartilage tissue from further destruction and slow down the development of dystrophic diseases
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation, have antipyretic and analgesic effects, reducing swelling in the focus of inflammation
- Vitamin complexes restore blood circulation in the affected areas, accelerate the renewal of nerve fibers and improve the condition of the body as a whole
Injections can only be prescribed by a doctor, since the method of treatment has contraindications. For example, many medicines for allergy sufferers, pregnant and breastfeeding women are prohibited.
Medication
Doctors are trying to move away from this method of treatment, but in extreme cases they prescribe the following drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region:
- Analgesics only have an analgesic or additional anti-inflammatory effect
- Antispasmodics relieve muscle spasms, due to which the pressure on the nerve endings stops and the pain subsides
- vasodilator drugs improve blood microcirculation and help reduce the recovery time of the spine after treatment for osteochondrosis
Treatment with tablets is carried out separately or in combination with injections. For example, a certain drug is prescribed in the form of tablets, and if it is not effective enough, it is prescribed in the form of injections.
Surgical intervention
The operation is a radical measure, it is used only in severe cases. During the operation, the doctor completely eliminates the cause of the pain and stabilizes the spine.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
- Make a moderate schedule of exercise and exercise therapy
- Take a 5-7 minute break from work every hour
- Sleep on a flat surface or buy an orthopedic mattress
- Wear comfortable shoes that fit properly
Which doctor to contact
The neurologist makes an accurate diagnosis, prescribes treatment and, if necessary, corrects it. If the disease is accompanied by severe pain or dysfunction of internal organs, it may be necessary to consult other specialists.
frequently asked Questions
How to help with acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis?
A patient with back pain should be helped to find a comfortable position in which the pain subsides. After that, you should see a doctor.
Is it possible to do physical exercises with lumbar osteochondrosis?
In the acute period, physical exercises are contraindicated, the patient must comply with bed rest. When the pain disappears, the patient should undergo exercise therapy - perform general strengthening exercises. They must be selected by a doctor. At the same time, it is important to monitor your well-being during physical activity. If an exercise causes pain, it is important to limit its intensity or eliminate it.