Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: problem symptoms and treatment

By connecting the fixed, thoracic and sacral parts of the spine, the lumbar spine plays the most important role. Provides mobility in the spine.

With the development of degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs, signs of lumbar spine osteochondrosis appear. A serious illness can significantly complicate existence, leading to a decrease in ability to work and even disability.

Causes

All over the world, this disease is becoming more and more prevalent. This is facilitated by such common factors as physical inactivity, poor environmental conditions, malnutrition and obesity. At the same time, heavier loads often fall on the back, so it is important to know the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis.

• More than half of the cases of the disease are associated with an inherited predisposition, which determines the structure of the intervertebral discs, which are easily deformable.
• Work associated with regular physical overload is a negative factor that can cause back problems.
• With the wrong posture, aggravated by hypodynamics, the lumbar region is subjected to the greatest stress.
• Spinal cord injuries in the future often lead to the onset of the disease. Therefore, representatives of professional sports are at risk.
• Many years ago, osteochondrosis was a disease of the elderly - it has its own logic. Discs are more prone to deformities with age. However, today this disease can be observed in the thirties. The impetus for the development of osteochondrosis are errors in independently performing complex physical exercises.
• If there is any joint pathology, then severe hypothermia and a sharp tension when a heavy load is lifted can provoke pain.
• Excess weight puts extra stress on all the joints of the spine.
• Often the onset of the disease is accompanied by pathology of several internal organs: liver, kidney and others.

Symptoms

So consider the signs of lumbar spine osteochondrosis.

• The first and main symptom of the disease is pain, initially periodic, which appears in the lumbar region during heavy exercise. At first, it passes after rest, but then becomes permanent, covering not only the lower back but also the lower body. In the course of further destruction of the vertebrae, the pain becomes stronger, there is a feeling of heat or cold in the back.
• Sensitivity of the skin of the lower body decreases or even disappears completely, an artery spasm may occur. The fact that the vertebra is no longer fixed by the disc is fraught with serious damage to internal organs.
• The symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in women are complemented by inflammation in the ovaries, appendix and uterus. This circumstance can mask the main signs and lead to an error in diagnosis.
• Due to the severe pain, a person has to be in an unnatural position most of the time, as a result of which the spine shifts to one side. A flexion appears in posture and tension in walking.
• The spine loses its mobility and flexibility. The effect of lumbodynia is observed when, after prolonged work in a bent position, it is difficult for the patient to direct.
• Compression of the nerve root in the vertebra is associated with acute pain and can have consequences in the form of impaired mobility.
• Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is also characterized by symptoms of ischemic syndrome, i. e. a set of signs that are associated with a decrease in blood flow to the constricted vessels. At first, arterial spasm appears episodically, accompanied by pain while walking. After the break pass. However, over time, the spasm becomes prolonged, the pelvic organs cease to receive food, which disrupts their work. Stopping blood flow can lead to paralysis.
• The disease can provoke pain in the coccyx. The signs of sacral osteochondrosis differ in some originality, so it is more difficult to diagnose. Despite severe, even explosive pain, they are delivered to the surrounding tissues, so the patient can not tell the exact location of their localization. In addition, they are associated with inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system. There is frequent urination or urinary incontinence, constipation, the patient finds it difficult to sit and move.

Complications

If the problem is not treated, then a progressive disease can lead to serious complications.

• The result of fibrous ring rupture will be the capture of nerve endings by the elongated pulposus nucleus - an intervertebral hernia will occur.
• Prolonged inflammatory processes in the spine can result in sciatica - a disease of the spinal nerve roots.
• A very serious complication is inflammation of the sciatic nerve, characterized not only by severe pain but also by numbness in the limbs.
• Impaired blood flow to the spinal cord can cause compressive myelopathy.
• Horsetail syndrome is one of the most serious consequences of osteochondrosis. A bundle of nerve endings extending from a vertebra to the end of the spinal cord is responsible for transmitting impulses from the body, allowing the brain to control the body's work. Their acute inflammation can cause dysfunction of the genitourinary system and partial or complete paralysis of the limbs.

Treatment

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, its symptoms and treatment depend on where the nerve ending is stuck, where pain and loss of sensation are felt. If the therapy starts on time, then it will be quite successful, but, in any case, will require an integrated approach.

Medications are used only to relieve acute pain. The main goal of therapy is to stop the development of the disease and return the spine to the proper position, restoring normal blood flow in it. This is a complex and lengthy process that requires the use of various rehabilitation methods.

Physiotherapy

Therapeutic gymnastics occupies an important place in rehabilitation. It is prescribed a few days after the elimination of severe pain, is selected separately for each patient and depends on:

• disease stage,
• Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis,
• patient's age,
• pain localization sites,
• and other factors.

The main purpose of therapeutic exercises is to create a reliable muscle corset that will help reduce the load on the intervertebral discs. In the initial period some exercises with a small load are offered. It gradually increases. Over time, specific exercises are added to the general ones.

Gymnastics is initially performed lying on your back. In this case, the load on the spine is minimal, there is no increase in pain. The next stage is the exercises, lying on your side, and then on the abdomen. You can put a pillow under it, and a roller under the joints of the lower extremities.

In the initial stage, all exercises are performed very slowly and carefully. Gradually, as the amplitude of the movements increases, new ones are added to them. Once the pain subsides and the patient's condition improves, the complex is supplemented with exercises performed on all fours, then sitting in a chair, then standing.

If the disease is chronic, then, depending on the patient's well-being, he is allowed to engage in certain sports - swimming, skiing and others. The effectiveness of therapeutic exercises will increase many times with regular classes.

Manual therapy and massage

Manual therapy is one of the oldest and most effective methods as part of the complex measures used to treat lumbar osteochondrosis and its symptoms. The course includes several procedures that can eliminate the cause of pain and numbness in the limbs, relieve tension in the muscle fibers, restore blood circulation and joint mobility. When you use this technique, you can get a quick and positive effect, comparable to the results of therapeutic exercises. However, it has some contraindications that need to be considered when involved in complex treatment.

An excellent tool in the fight against a serious illness is massage. After a few sessions, the patient feels better, muscle stiffness disappears, and joint mobility returns. But each case of the disease has its own characteristics, and only a qualified specialist should prescribe this procedure.

There are a number of contraindications, in the presence of which massage is prohibited for a certain category of patients:

• neoplasms of a different nature;
• third-degree hypertension;
• moles in the massage area;
• arrhythmia and other heart pathologies;
• blood disease;
• women's diseases and some others.

A type of traditional massage is usually prescribed. The first procedures may be accompanied by mild pain, which will soon be discontinued.

Severe pain during the session is unacceptable. To improve blood flow to the affected area, vacuum massage using cans can be used.

A doctor will help you overcome osteochondrosis and lumbar symptoms and choose the most effective treatment. Most likely, the massage will be included in the list of recommendations.

Physiotherapy

The complex of therapeutic measures includes physiotherapeutic methods. They allow you to act locally on the affected area and eliminate unpleasant symptoms. The following types of physiotherapy are widely used:

• exposure to an electric or electromagnetic field allows you to increase blood flow and metabolic processes in tissues;
• Ultraviolet light relieves inflammation, stimulates the production of vitamin D, strengthens the body's defenses;
• ultrasonic waves have a high anti-inflammatory effect;
• Balneotherapy is widely used in both the treatment and prevention of spinal diseases, due to the gentle and effective healing effect of mineral resources and therapeutic mud.

This method also has certain contraindications, which should be taken into account when prescribing such procedures.

There are many popular recipes that are widely used for osteochondrosis of the spine, proven as effective means. They can be a good addition to the main treatment after consulting a specialist. Ointments and compresses, herbal decoctions can be used for rubbing or swallowing. Self-made products can cause allergic reactions. Poisonous plants can also be prescribed in recipes, so you need to follow the correct dose of such substances, check the body's reaction to their use and consult a doctor.

prevention

Measures that can prevent this serious disease should be comprehensive and include above all physical activity. It can be long walks at a leisurely pace, regular trips to the pool, sports. Walking and running help engage key muscle groups and water helps them relax better and increase range of motion.

Of great importance for health is a balanced fractional diet, in which considerable attention should be paid to foods high in fiber. Vegetables and fruits will establish the normal functioning of the digestive system, metabolic products will not remain in the intestine, poisoning the body. Thanks to the small portions, the food will be fully processed.

It is necessary to arrange a good rest and proper sleep on a flat and firm base. Useful orthopedic mattresses that maintain the natural position of the spine.

The first signs of lumbar osteochondrosis require immediate medical attention and then there is the possibility of successful treatment and restoration of spinal function.