Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment

14 January 2021

A significant mass of a person falls on the lower back and, by lifting the load, rotating from a long static position, additional stress is created on him. Excessive load and incorrect lifestyle constantly lead to the degradation of the musculoskeletal system: the vertebrae and the discs between them, which act as shock absorbers. From here, it is worth seeking information about osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment. Why does spine joints break down?

The degradation of the musculoskeletal system occurs as follows: the natural absorber of the spine loses its elasticity, shrinks, spreads beyond its natural limits, increases the pressure of other vertebrae, organs and ligaments. We will describe those who are likely to acquire such a pathology. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be seen in people:

Whose previous generations suffered from a similar affliction;
With hormonal disorders;
Individual propensity to develop such diseases (for example, congenital spine structure);
Those who neglect proper nutrition. At the table every day the person should receive a balanced diet with healthy fats, vitamins, proteins;
Who has a sedentary job: sits for a long time or stands still for a long time in the same place;
Feeling a strong and strong load on the spine, for example: weightlifters, loaders, people while working in the garden;
Having diseases of digestion, metabolism, pelvic organs;
Traumatized (he pulled hard on the back, hit the side, fell, bowed);
Being 30 years old;
Diabetes.

If there are signs of lumbar osteochondrosis, which are described in the section below, some habits should be avoided:

slouch;
smoke;
do a curved pose for a long time;
move a little;
drinking alcohol;
feels without taking breaks from work;
don't dress for the weather, let your body cool down.

Important. Any disorders in the ligaments are aggravated by the presence of excess weight. With excess weight, the load on the lower body increases and the lower back, covered with fat, is massaged heavily.

Stages of the course of the disease, its signs

At first, periodic mild pain occurs that increases with physical exertion. This discomfort indicates that it is time to pay attention to lumbar spine osteochondrosis. At the moment, the intervertebral discs (the spinal disc is the channel through which the spinal cord and the fibrous ring around it) are degrading. In addition, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced, the nerves are compressed. The pains become intense, reaching not only the back, but also the hips, the gluteal muscles. In the third stage, the fibrous rings are destroyed, which leads to the formation of a herniated spine, irreversible bending and constant pain. The fourth stage leads to disability. The special classification of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine includes:

pain;
syndrome;
;
syndrome;
ossification of grown tissues.

Pain sensations have different degrees and characteristics of severity: lumbago, for example, is called lumbago; constant, aggravated by stress, lumbodynia; The spread along the lower parts of the body is called low back pain. In the case that diseases in the back are not treated, the vertebrae acquire a lot of free movement in the spine. There is a compression of the nerve roots when lifting loads and sudden actions, so the pain in the lower back goes away, but goes to other parts of the body, for which the nerve is responsible. Unconsciously, we change positions, adjusting so that there is less back pain, but this inevitably changes the gait and curvature of the spine. All of this refers to the root syndrome, which starts with irritation and then becomes inflammatory. Signs of lumbar spine osteochondrosis with root syndrome:

The back muscles are excessively tired;
backbend change;
gear changes;
of the lower extremities;
pain in one or both legs;
severe pain;
temporary loss of sensation in the leg;
periodically long constipation;
men have problems with excitability;
menstrual irregularities in women;
intoxication of the body;
blood stagnation.

You may notice that during the intervals painful sensations appear and, when exercising on the back, they decrease. At this stage, it is worth looking for a doctor: chiropractor, surgeon, neurologist, traumatologist (since the causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include trauma). If you let the disease run its course, the problem will increase, complemented by different companions:

;
numbness;
tingling;
chills;
chills;
impotence;
intestinal colic.

The back muscles lose their tone and this leads to a general loss of human motor functions. With a particularly dangerous course of root syndrome, paralysis will occur. Ischemic syndrome is associated with root disease. At first, the compression of blood flow is periodic, but then this compression leads to spasms. You can notice them during a normal walk - you walk in pain, if you stop, it doesn't hurt. The main breakdown occurs inside and is not visible to the naked eye - blood flows do not provide the necessary supply for all pelvic organs. Painful sensations may occur in the buttocks, thighs and, subsequently, paralysis of the gluteal muscles may occur. Vertebral syndrome includes a change in the skeleton, in the blood vessels themselves.

Important. The symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in women are inextricably linked to the hormonal background, to the physiological characteristics of the body. The occurrence of pain, inadequate posture is affected by the use of inappropriate shoes: with very hard or very soft soles; a very high jump or a very low jump.

Diagnosis of disease phases

It can be very difficult even for a doctor to classify and name the stage of the disease during the external examination. Initially, a neurologist can diagnose:

persistent curvature of the spine;
pain when touching;
decreased leg dislocation;
asymmetry of the gluteal zone;
change Michaelis's diamond.

But the most accurate diagnosis can only be made with the results:

computed tomography (CT). The most appropriate option to determine the degree of development of the disease, which allows to assess the stage of degradation of the spine.
X-ray footage. According to them, it is possible to establish the presence of a disease, but it is not always possible to determine the degree of development of damage to nerve fibers and blood vessels.
magnetic resonance image. A very long procedure (from half an hour to an hour) and expensive, which additionally provides the most complete detail of what is happening with the nerve roots and blood vessels.

So, the doctor can finally judge about osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment only with the results of the device search. Low back pain, not associated with a violation of the intervertebral disc, is caused by colds, chills in the kidneys, menstrual cycle or pain in the back muscles.

Important. CT and X-ray examinations are unacceptable for pregnant women. CT is not safe for: 1) children under 14; 2) people with allergy to iodine.

Medical treatment

The causes of the onset of the disease, its characteristics were considered above, now let's move on to the second point of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment. The more you ignore the body's signals, the faster the disease will go on. The further away from the start, the more drugs and procedures will have to be applied. Treatment goals:

identify, eliminate the causes of pinching of the roots, blood vessels of the spine;
to restore skin sensitivity;
to prevent the development of pathology;
initiates the body's self-healing processes;
strengthening a person's muscle tone;
restores the function of the internal organs of the small pelvis;
return to the normal course of the lumbar vertebrae.

If you experience any discomfort, consult your doctor. The first thing to do in the first symptoms is to pay attention to: a bed (a wide selection of orthopedic mattresses that must be selected individually), a pillow (may not be adequate in size or softness), position during sleep, motor activity. At home, without being examined by a doctor, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is treated only with bed rest. Therefore, a visit to the doctor is mandatory. In the remission phase and in the acute phase of the disease, different medications are taken. In the last phase, the drugs are used to relieve pain, release nerves from vertebral mites and eliminate inflammation. Prescribe: - blocks; - glucocorticoids; - chondroprotectors; - myo-laxatives; - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The last group of drugs, in addition to pain relief, combats excessive body temperature, edema, inflammation. These funds can be: rectal, for internal use, injectable, external. Treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis usually begins with NSAIDs:

Diklofenak;
Piroksikam;
Ibuppofen;
Himeculide;
Hapoxy;
Decketoprofen;
Meloksikam;
Aceclofenac.

The anti-inflammatories in this list are various ointments, tablets, gels. Some NSAIDs in tablets have contraindications for people with ulcers or gastritis. Muscle relaxants relieve joint stiffness and involuntary back muscle contractions, temporarily reducing muscle tone. This group of drugs includes tizanidine, tolperisone hydrochloride. When there is an opportunity to save the intervertebral disc, chondroprotectors are prescribed, which should serve to restore the fibrous annulus. The course of taking this group of drugs is very long - at least 1, 5 months, and the results can only be seen after one year. They try to avoid the indication of glucocorticoids, as they have side effects of taking them, since this group of drugs belongs to steroid hormones. They must be taken under the supervision of the attending physician with the fulfillment of all prescriptions, as only the specialist knows how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis. An example of such a drug is hydrocortisone. Blockages are not drugs in themselves, but they are a powerful local pain reliever. The technique is as follows: introduction of an injectable analgesic (OI) or a combination of OI with a medication from the group of glucocorticoids in the area of pain. Blockages have no medicinal properties, but they can cause addiction, which leads to loss of sensitivity to these drugs. If injected frequently, the muscles around the injection can atrophy. Therefore, when acute pain is reduced by this treatment method, medications are prescribed to the patient that are designed to restore damaged tissue, blood flow and help to improve the tone of muscle and nerve fibers. This:

Chondroprotectors, which have a general bone-strengthening effect, normalize cartilage tissue metabolism.
Vitamins that help restore nerve patency.
Biogenic preparations that stimulate the body to heal itself;
Vascular drugs that thin the blood to improve the nutrition of internal organs.

During treatment, along with the main intake of drugs, antidepressants are prescribed. Here's how to treat low back pain during acute pain relief:

applying external heating agents, analgesics, anti-inflammatories;
does special exercises for the back;
have a massage;
lead a gentle lifestyle for your back;
put on a corset when you exercise.

Massage, physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapy and alternative treatments.

Comparatively cheap and effective methods of combating damper degradation are physiotherapy, massage, physiotherapy exercises. A real massage can only be done by a professional with medical training, so a simple visit to beauty salons is not suitable for patients. Each stage of the disease requires a different pressure and technique. With proper therapy, the muscle spasm disappears, the muscular structure of the back is strengthened and the pain gradually disappears. Physiotherapy is applicable only in the process of mitigating painful processes or when they are absent (to maintain the mobility of the vertebrae). Gymnastics is individually selected, based on age, condition of the person, stage of development of the disease. The productivity of therapeutic exercises depends directly on the quality of the performance and the frequency: they must be done systematically. It is recommended to rest at home, lying on your back, bending your legs, placing a small roller on your lower back. The healing process is monitored with the help of X-ray tomographic examinations. Physiotherapy treatments are prescribed during remission and exacerbation. Methods like:

acupuncture. Millennial method of treating pain, based on the stimulation of acupuncture points with fine needles. The procedure relieves spasms, reduces pain, completely eliminates, reduces tissue edema;
ultraviolet radiation, which stimulates the body to absorb calcium;
ampilpus, named from the corresponding device. The treatment procedure is as follows: the appliance plates are fixed on the back, and the corresponding therapeutic current with different parameters flows through the plates;
. Laser beams relieve pain, heal, stop inflammation in the lumbar vertebrae;
darsonvalization. The method is designed to improve blood circulation, dilate blood vessels, stimulate nerve endings;
treats with ultrasound, stimulating blood flow to the muscular part of the dorsal region.

Each method has its own contraindications. It is more difficult with traditional medicine. Official medicine still does not recognize that the midwives' grandmothers know how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. Therefore, if a friend advises you to apply burdock broth compresses, take pine baths, you should consult your doctor. For anesthesia, a method like hirudotherapy is used, but leeches are hiding behind that name, so doctors advise to approach this treatment method with caution.

Solving surgical problems

In some cases, it is no longer possible to do without surgery. With advanced intervertebral hernia, neurosurgeons use microdiscectomy. The operation removes the damaged disc. If there are no contraindications, doctors can perform nucleoplasty, which has many advantages:

No cuts required;
The operation takes up to 30 minutes;
No restrictions on surgical procedures.

Important. To maintain the mobility of the spine, strengthen the back muscles, it is recommended to do yoga, swimming, pilates. Running produces a shock load on the vertebrae, so at the first sign of low back pain, running should be abandoned.