The osteochondrosis of the lumbar column, whose symptoms and treatment are diverse, is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
This condition is characterized by the fact that changes in the degenerative-dystophical nature are being developed in the intervertebral discs, extending over time to the ligaments and the bone tissue of the vertebrae of the lumbosacral column.The acute process, at the bottom of the lack of therapy, inevitably enters chronic.
A degenerative disease can turn a healthy person into a disabled person.
Degree of Lumbar Osteochondrosis
Classify 4 degrees of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacra region.The disease development scheme is as follows:
The first grade.Inside the fibrous ring, damage is formed in the form of cracks, where the content of the jet nucleus penetrates, causing irritation.This is the initial stage of osteochondrosis.The deformation of intervertebral discs is barely expressed and gives reflex pains with acute movements and elevation weights.Unpleasant sensations in the spine can be moderate and manifest:
- Lumbalgia: local pain, durable in the lumbar column;
- Lumbago - Sudden pain "shutter" in the lower back.
The second grade.The destructive processes in the fibrous ring continue.The distance from one vertebra to the other decreases, causing the compression of nerve fibers.There are discomfort in the lower third of the back, which sometimes becomes episodes of pain.
The third grade.During this period, the final destruction of the fibrous ring occurs when squeezing the core of the jet.The vessels and nerve endings are compressed by intervertebral discs.Intervertebral hernia is formed.The column twists, forming:
- Lordosis: arched deformation in the lumbar region, with the bulk of the backbone forward;
- Kifosis: a position in the opposite of the Lord, when the arch is formed in the external direction;
- Scoliosis is a pathological curve of the column to the right or left.
The last degreeOsteochondrosis is considered the most serious and dangerous.At this time, the column is already deformed, normal motor activity is lost.In X -ray images, bone growths in the lumbar column are visible: the body's response.Pain may be absent for some time, but this does not mean improving.People suffering from 4 stages of osteochondrosis of the department of sacrum and clarity are often disabled.The reason is that at this stage the process is complicated.
The causes of the lumbar column osteochondrosis
Among the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis, the following are distinguished:
- Disproportionate load in the spine.A person is a direct being, therefore, in standing position, the load in the spinal column is considered normal.When performing a variety of actions, it must move, fold and become.To keep the body in the correct condition, the musculoskeletal system is in long -term voltage mode.In a sitting position, the load in the spine grows and lying on the back becomes minimal.When a person is in a position for a long time, the lumbar and sacred parts of the column are overload and the muscles do not rest, of which the sensation of discomfort appears first, and then pain.This deformation factor creates the prerequisites for the development of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
- A sedentary lifestyle.It contributes to the development of different pathologies, including those that affect vertebrates.The long -term session causes the deformation of cartilage tissue and a decrease in muscle tone, causing the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Excessive physical activity.Both the lack of active physical activity and their excess, do not carry anything good for the musculoskeletal system.A long and hard work, especially related to the lifting and transfer of weights, leads to the excess of the back muscles and causes vertebrate formation.
- Moster disorders.Deformation of discs between vertebrae can be caused by an incorrect walk.The reason is again in an unequal load in the spinal column.Intervertebral discs lose elasticity, mobility and, therefore, are quite damaged.Higher and advanced age suffer more similar problems.
- Bone defects, hereditary pathologies, infectious injuries and injuries.Often, osteochondrosis is a consequence of the violations of the musculoskeletal system that were available at birth.For example, when body cartilage tissues are fragile by nature.In addition, column pathologies develop after traumatic damage and infectious processes, as in osteomyelitis and tuberculosis.
- Flat feet.The signs of a "special" foot: the lack of a seizure and the prolapse of its arches.Those who have such characteristic often face the problems of the spine.This is due to the increase in load on the intervertebral discs when walking.Throughout life, they are subject to an intensified physical impact during movement, so they quickly wear out
- Obesity.Excess weight is a problem and additional load for the body.All organs and systems suffer, including the spine.
- Pathological processesDysfunctions of several structures can negatively affect the state of the musculoskeletal system.Therefore, the factors that cause osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are endocrine disorders, cardiovascular problems and a failure of the digestive system.
- Incorrect lifestyle.Many people do not pay due attention to things as simple and important as physical activity, balanced nutrition and normal sleep.The body that has existed in stress conditions for a long time is weakened and vulnerable.Other pathologies that can occur in such a "fertile" soil include lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The pathological changes in the lumbar column are manifested by serious symptoms;
- Low painIt is the most striking "signal" of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.She talks about the presence of a "root syndrome" when the compression of the nerve endings of the column causes pain in the lumbar region.The person gets tired and irritable.Over time, the performance of simple and family actions becomes a big problem due to the pain in the lumbar column.If the intervertebral hernia is formed in the lower back, the pain radiates at the bottom of the leg, the back of the thigh and the foot.Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to sit and walk.Unpleasant sensations are not released even in a liar position.Temporary relief can alternate with periods of exacerbation.;
- Genitourinary system dysfunctions.They are manifested by pain in the kidney area, frequent calls for urination.The deformation of the intervertebral discs causes the displacement of the lumbar region in relation to the sacrum.This affects the work of internal reproductive organs in women, and in men it causes power problems;
- Reducing leg sensitivity in the foot area.It can be partial and absolute.In this case, the reflexes of this part of the body weaken.Progressive pathology leads to a complete loss of sensitivity of the lower extremities;
- March violations.The pain in the lumbar region for osteochondrosis causes a person to deviate in the opposite direction to which nerve fibers are pinned.The condition does not allow long distances.A limited person is forced to stop from time to time, waiting for a decrease in pain.Timely medical care can save a person from disability.
Treatment of the osteochondrosis of the lumbar column
Many wonder if the osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is treated and how this happens.When a diagnosis is carried out and a diagnosis is made, therapeutic tactics are determined.
There are several methods for which lumbar osteochondrosis is treated.Which of them is necessary and appropriate to apply to cure the disease or relieve the condition of a person as much as possible?
Someone is exclusively about popular remedies, at home, forgetting that it can only be used with the approval of a medical specialist and only as part of complex therapy.
Pharmacological treatment of osteochondrosis
Medication therapy implies the use of:
- tablet forms;
- injection solutions;
- External drugs: ointments and gels.
Medications that eliminate inflammatory processes and stop pain in the lumbar region are prescribed.They can be used at home.
Could be:
- analgesics;
- Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs;
- Spasm drugs in the muscles (muscle relaxants);
- means for the restoration of cartilage tissue (chondroprotectors);
- Corticosteroids (drugs containing hormones, whose action aims to relieve pain and inflammation)
- Vitamins
The treatment course is prescribed by a doctor who sometimes prescribes tablets or mixtures, calming the nervous system as an additional treatment.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Another common method that relieves the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is physiotherapy.Acting on the spine and the lower back, improves the processes of an inflammatory exchange nature.
More often designated:
- magnetic, laser and electrotherapy;
- phonoforesis;
- shock wave method;
- Dutoenzor therapy;
- vibration massage;
- Balneo treatment.
How many and what procedures will be needed: the doctor decides.
Physiotherapy has an effective effect when it comes to the initial stages of pathology.But she, like other types of treatment, has contraindications.Therefore, when designating this method, the doctor takes into account many factors.
Medical Gymnastics for Lumbar Osteochondrosis
The physical exercises complex that can be shown with lumbar osteochondrosis are destined to restore the mobility of this spine.
The main condition for its effectiveness is regularity.The exercises carried out from one case to another will not bring the desired effect.
If the body already has complications caused by osteochondrosis, this method is not used.In addition, contraindications for use are severe pathologies of other organs and systems, as well as the presence of pain in the pelvic and upper area.
Surgical intervention for lumbar osteochondrosis
The surgical method is used in the presence of complications as severe as intervertebral hernia.A partial or complete elimination of the damaged intervertebral disc (discoctomy) is carried out, as provided by the operation protocol.
The indications for the operation are:
- a strong and stable pain syndrome, which for a month cannot be removed by medication;
- Large hernia sizes and its effect on the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis is easier to warn than to treat.Like any pathology, they are potentially dangerous complications.It is important to understand that the elimination of this more or less complete pathology is possible in the early stages, when the deformation effect on intervertebral discs is minimal.In other cases, we can only talk about the elimination of symptoms and maintain the condition of the body that allows you to live normally and work.