Spondylarthrosis of the lumbar spine is a rather complex and unpleasant disease that can significantly limit your movements and complicate your life. Therefore, you need to understand what features the disease has, what symptoms it is characterized, as well as how to be treated and what to do so that the problem does not appear.
What is a disease?
Spondylarthrosis of the lumbar spine is a type of osteoarthrosis. This problem is complex, since the pathology completely affects the entire joint: cartilage, and ligaments, and bones.
It should be noted that the disease is very insidious. The fact is that gradually your joints lose elasticity, and the cartilage tissue becomes thinner. In addition, spikes can form on the bones. Moreover, they appear on the intervertebral cartilage, so the whole body suffers.
As for the age limits of this disease, they can be different. For example, middle-aged people are most often affected. However, this pathology is also found in young people.
Why does the disease appear
Lumbar spondylarthrosis develops due to certain factors. Naturally, the reasons for the development of pathology should be considered. Among them are the following:
- Congenital malformations of the skeletal system.
- Serious or minor spinal injuries.
- Sedentary lifestyle and lack of activity.
- Hormonal disruptions.
- Problems with metabolic processes in the body.
- Flat feet.
- Too high mobility of the vertebrae.
- Professional activity.
- Too much body weight.
- Excessive physical activity (most often this reason is found in those people who play a lot of sports).
Symptomatology
Osteochondrosis, spondylarthrosis and other pathologies of the spine have certain signs, which are often very similar. Naturally, they must be distinguished so that a correct diagnosis can be made. Among the symptoms of this disease, one can distinguish the following:
- Limit joint mobility.
- Pain syndrome. Moreover, it may have a aching character.
- Numb joints, which can last from a few minutes to several hours.
In principle, there are no specific symptoms, so spondylosis (spondylarthrosis) can be confused with other pathologies. In order to determine the exact and correct diagnosis, a thorough examination by a doctor is necessary.
Disease classification
Treatment (spondylarthrosis of the lumbosacral spine is a complex pathology) begins with determining the type of disease. There are such types of diseases:
- Degenerative It is characterized by flattening of the vertebral cartilage, which contributes to the loss of its elasticity.
- Deforming . It involves changing the size and shape of the vertebrae. As a result of this, bone growths may appear, which contribute to the displacement of cartilage. It should be noted that this type of pathology is irreversible. In order to diagnose it, an x-ray is needed.
- Ankylosing . This type of disease is very severe and requires compulsory treatment. It is characterized by deformation of the spine, loss of its elasticity. A feature of pathology is that it manifests itself at a young age and affects mainly men.
- Polysegmented . This form of the disease is characterized by what can occur in several places. This pathology is very severe and requires careful and lengthy treatment.
Stages of the disease
Before starting treatment, spondylarthrosis of the lumbosacral spine must be accurately diagnosed. In addition, it is necessary to consider the path of its development. So, there are only 4 degrees of pathology progression:
- First one . It is characterized by loss of elasticity of the ligaments and a significant difficulty in mobility of the spinal column.
- The second one . In this case, the fibrous rings cannot perform their functions in full.
- The third . At this stage, bone growths appear, which can be detected by X-ray examination. Ligaments cease to be elastic.
- Fourth . Spinal movements are significantly limited, growths become very large, compression of nerves and blood vessels occurs. It should be noted that degenerative changes of ligaments, cartilage and bone tissue are already visible here.
These degrees of spondylarthrosis are standard. If the disease is already running, then it is very difficult to correct the situation. In some cases, even the operation does not help.
Features of the detection of pathology
Before starting treatment, spondylarthrosis of the lumbosacral spine should be correctly diagnosed. Otherwise, the therapy will not only not help, but will also cause harm. That is, self-medication is not allowed here.
So, in order to obtain reliable data on the patient’s condition, the doctor must collect his medical history and take into account complaints. Naturally, an X-ray and MRI will have to be done. Important in the diagnosis is computed tomography. It is also advisable to conduct a neurological examination of the patient. That is, checking reflexes makes it possible to understand whether the spinal cord is damaged, and if so, how much.
If the doctor suspects that there is damage to the nerve endings, then he can prescribe electromyography. To determine the degree of destruction of hard tissues, a bone scan is performed. After diagnosis, appropriate treatment is prescribed. Spondylarthrosis of the lumbosacral spine is a difficult disease that requires long-term therapy and a combination of different methods to eliminate the pathology.
Features of the treatment of pathology
Treatment of spondylarthrosis of the lumbar spine involves the use of a complex of conservative and physiotherapeutic procedures, which are aimed mainly at eliminating the symptoms of the disease. In order to correct physiological defects, surgical intervention is necessary. Although it does not always help.
So, to eliminate the pain syndrome, the following drugs are used: Diclofenac, Ketonal. Moreover, the drugs are used both in the form of tablets, and in the form of ointments. If the disease is not in an acute form, then the patient has the opportunity to undergo a course of manual therapy. Naturally, all massage methods should be very light and gentle. In addition, physiotherapy is recommended at this time. Gymnastics will help strengthen muscles and contribute to improving the flexibility of the spinal column.
As for physiotherapeutic procedures, the treatment of spondylarthrosis of the lumbar spine in this case involves the use of magnetic therapy, phonophoresis, ion galvanization (with anesthetics).
Features of alternative treatment
Among unconventional recipes, the most effective are:
- Therapeutic compress of the infusion of calendula flowers. To prepare it, take 100 g of herbs and half a liter of vodka. It is desirable to insist the product in a dark place for about 14 days. Further, the mixture can be used to rub the spine, as well as a compress.
- Fir oil, which can be purchased at every pharmacy, is very effective. This inexpensive and very good tool should be used for rubbing and massage.
- You can prepare a therapeutic ointment for yourself from dandelion roots, mint leaves, birch buds and coriander. All ingredients should be taken in equal parts. 6 large tablespoons of the mixture must be filled with a glass of boiling water and left on low heat for 5 minutes. Next, the resulting product must be mixed with 100 g of vegetable oil or fat (preferably nutria). Use the ointment at night.
How to eat with this disease
If you have spondylarthrosis of the lumbar spine, the treatment involves not only drug therapy, but also a certain diet. Please note that you will have to eat in small portions 5 or even more times a day. There are products that can not be eaten in any case:
- Sorrel, peas and beans.
- Grapes
- Fatty meat and fish.
- Sugar and salt.
- Spice.
Vegetables and fruits, juices, dark bread, dairy products are considered a very important part of the diet. Food should not contain too high-calorie foods. Once a week, it is advisable to arrange a fasting day to cleanse the body of harmful substances.
Exercise stress
If you have spondylarthrosis of the lumbosacral spine, gymnastics will greatly facilitate your life. Naturally, it should be gentle. You must do exercises to strengthen and develop the flexibility of the back muscles. Try to monitor your posture and body weight. If the weight is too large, you should get rid of it.
Be sure to do your best. Don't be constantly in the same static pose. Sharp movements are optional. To eliminate the disease, you must do the following exercises:
- Lying on your back lay your hands behind your head, bend your legs. Next, close the elbows with each other and return to the starting position.
- Lying in the previous position, bent legs should be pulled to the stomach and clasped with their hands.
- Do the exercise to set the correct posture.
Preventative measures
In order to prevent the development of pathology, try to eat right, walk more in the fresh air, move actively. Do not overload yourself with too hard physical work. It is imperative to monitor posture, and it is also advisable not to injure the spinal column.
Do not forget about the correct body weight, which will be safe for your musculoskeletal system. Consider also the correct sleep. That is, do not buy too soft and uncomfortable mattresses. They should well maintain the shape of the body in a horizontal position.
In order not to limit the ability to move, try to monitor the health of your spine.