Lumbar osteochondrosis is a spinal deformity in the lumbar region. The disease affects the intervertebral discs, cartilage, spinal roots and nerve fibers and causes back pain.
CMRT clinics have specialized in the conservative treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis for more than 10 years. The centers are equipped with modern expert equipment for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and rehabilitation. Experienced specialists apply an individual approach, making up a set of therapeutic measures aimed at combating pathology at all stages.
Important!
An accurate diagnosis, determining the causes and nature of the disease, and only a qualified doctor by internal appointment can prescribe effective treatment.
Causes
The main cause of the disease is the incorrect distribution of the load on the musculoskeletal system. This usually happens when walking in high heels, carrying a bag aside, with uncomfortable posture in a dream, or in sedentary work. At risk are the elderly, pregnant women, women who have just given birth, professional athletes and office workers.
Other causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- wounds, bruises, fractures of the arms, legs, spine
- damage to the organs of the musculoskeletal system
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, provoking a lack of nutrients
- body tension during prolonged exercise
- psychoemotional disorders
- blood flow disturbances in the spine
- inflammation of the musculoskeletal system
- infections of internal organs and vertebrae
- joint stiffness, disc displacement
- protrusions and intervertebral hernias
- severe intoxication
- metabolic disorders
- curvature of posture
- sedentary lifestyle
- dehydration
- unbalanced diet
- calcium and oxygen deficiency
- excess weight
- bad habits
- age-related changes
- joint diseases
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The intensity and nature of the symptoms depends on the stage of the disease. The sooner the patient detects signs of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the more effective the treatment will be.
General symptoms:
- severe pain in the lower back, which may radiate to the legs, internal organs of the abdomen and pelvis
- pain in the kidneys and sacrum
- fatigue and tension in the lower back and sacral spine
- Difficulty moving, walking, leaning and turning the body
- occasional back pain
- fast fatigue after a light load
- crunching in the back, reduced mobility, pain at rest
- numbness of the limbs
- spasms and cramps 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 may have problems with potency. Women are more likely to experience pain in the pelvic area. When the deformed spine cannot fully support the back, the uterus and appendages experience additional loads and sometimes displace from their normal physiological position.
Variety
The classification of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consists of several varieties of the disease. According to the type of pain syndrome, there are:
Lumbago. acute symptom. Expressed by severe low back pain and the inability to move. It occurs with muscle spasms, injuries, pinched discs and nerve roots.
Low back pain. It is characterized by prolonged aching pain caused by hernias, protrusions, spondylarthrosis, sprains and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Sciatica. Powerful pain syndrome in the lumbosacral region, radiating to the pelvis. The pain spreads to the sciatic nerve, prevents normal flexion and extension of the body, and prevents pain-free sitting and standing.
Discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis and radiculopathy are also distinguished.
Discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by loss of sensitivity and numbness not only of the aching back, but also of the legs, buttocks, thighs and lower abdomen. Sometimes the body temperature rises, weakness, urinary incontinence appear, the patient loses weight.
Radiculopathy is expressed by numbness of the nerve roots and a decrease in a person's motor skills. Signs: tingling or pain of the entire lower body, impaired reflexes, decreased muscle tone and joints of the extremities.
Stages of development of lumbar osteochondrosis
Doctors trace the dynamics of pathology in four stages:
First. Symptoms are almost invisible - they are diagnosed on X-rays. The stage begins with pathological processes in the pulp cavity of an overdried disc and microcracks in the fibrous ring.
Second. The height of the intervertebral discs decreases, which makes the vertebrae close together. This causes vertebral slipping and displacement, which is accompanied by pain during movement.
Third. Characterized by stiffness, instability, numbness of the body in the tailbone, lower back and sacrum. This can be explained by the protrusion of the vertebrae, protrusions, dislocations of the joints and osteoarthritis of the spine.
Fourth. The hardest grade. On it, the functions of the spine are disrupted and bone growths (osteophytes) are formed. The growths can pinch nerves or damage the integrity of the vertebrae.
The consequences of osteochondrosis of the lumbar
- Excessive accumulation of salt in the body
- development of hernia, protrusion, prolapse of the vertebrae and discs
- chronic sciatica
- paresis and paralysis of the legs
Diagnostics
An orthopedist, osteopath, neurologist, rheumatologist, chiropractor, and surgeon can diagnose lumbar osteochondrosis and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system. An accurate diagnosis can be made after:
- X-ray of the spine, showing the condition of the bones, cartilage and muscle tissues, 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 studied and evaluated.
For a more detailed examination, doctors use CT and MRI. You can get a diagnosis in the CMRT clinic network.
We also recommend undergoing procedures of plasma therapy, pharmacopuncture. To maintain health, manual therapy and osteopathic services, 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. With this in mind, select a method of treatment: conservative or surgical.
Physiotherapy
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the spine is carried out in an equipped room under the supervision of a doctor. Classes are performed when remission occurs and the patient does not suffer from pain. The doctor monitors the patient's condition during physical activity, if pain or discomfort occurs, corrects the exercise or cancels it.
Each class of therapeutic gymnastics 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
Physiotherapy procedures are performed to relieve pain, improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition, and reduce inflammation. Most often, patients are prescribed:
- electrophoresis, which helps to reduce the neurological manifestations of the disease
- diadynamic therapy with the influence of currents of different strengths, which effectively relieve even severe pain
- ultrasound therapy with exposure along the affected spine
- magnetotherapy with alternating magnetic field
To achieve the best effect, the patient is prescribed a complex of several physiotherapy procedures.
Kinesiology taping
A cotton patch with hot melt adhesive is used for anesthesia. There are special types of therapeutic applications for neck pain, chest pain, back pain and joint problems.
Injections for osteochondrosis of the lumbar
With lumbar osteochondrosis, the doctor may prescribe the following injections to the patient for treatment:
- chondroprotectors protect cartilage tissue from further destruction, slow down the development of dystrophic ailments
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation, have an antipyretic and analgesic effect by reducing swelling in the focus of inflammation
- vitamin complexes restore blood circulation in the affected areas, accelerate the renewal of nerve fibers, improve the condition of the body as a whole
Injections can only be prescribed by a doctor, as the treatment method has contraindications. For example, many drugs are prohibited for allergy sufferers, pregnant and lactating women.
Pharmacological treatment
Doctors try 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 have only 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, help reduce the recovery time of the spine after treatment of 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.
Surgery
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
- Do a moderate program of sports and physical therapy
- take breaks at work every hour for 5-7 minutes
- 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 disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, it may be necessary to consult other specialists.
Frequent questions
How to provide assistance during acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis?
A patient suffering from back pain should be helped to assume a comfortable position in which the pain subsides. After that, you should consult 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 goes away, the patient needs to do 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 any exercise causes pain, it is important to limit it in intensity or eliminate it.