Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is a non-inflammatory process of changes in the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae in this part of the spine. It is he who is the main cause of back pain and limitation of a person's motor activity up to his complete disability.
What are the causes of osteochondrosisThey can conditionally be divided into external and internal. Their combination is often observed.
Internal causes (predisposing factors):
- Congenital weakness of the ligaments supporting the spinal column;
- violation of the formation and development of bone structures or cartilage of the spine.
External factors:
1) Improper posture formation, as a result of which scoliosis develops even in childhood. Then, at the site of increased load, degeneration occurs in the intervertebral discs - osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine.
2) Injury to the spine.
3) Lifting heavy weights, especially the habit of carrying heavier things (loads) in one hand.
4) Flat feet.
5) Sports, when a large load falls on the lumbosacral (wrestling, weightlifting).
6) Overweight.
How is osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine manifested?
The process of destruction of the intervertebral cartilage for a long time goes without the appearance of any symptoms. Only slight discomfort in the lumbar region, as well as rapid fatigue of the spinal muscles under load on this area can be noted. The patient notices that the back begins to get tired earlier than before. Only when the middle (softest) part of the disk is sufficiently compacted and ossified, does a person begin to feel pain in the lower back, which intensifies when turning and tilting the body, as well as when returning from a bent position to the vertical.
When the rest of the intervertebral disc is already destroyed, the following symptoms appear:
- pain and numbness of the lower extremities;
- “lumbago” or “sciatica”, when a person, bending down, feels such a sharp pain that he cannot straighten for a long time;
- it becomes painful to stand and walk for a long time;
- when lifting weights, the lower back hurts very much.
When the destruction of structures goes so far that the disk between the vertebrae as such is no longer there, and there is only scar tissue and multiple bone osteophytes, a person cannot make turns and tilts of the body. The slightest load is accompanied by severe pain in the lower back and legs. Blood supply and innervation are so disturbed in the lower extremities that they are not only cold, freeze quickly, often goosebumps, but trophic ulcers can develop on them.
How is osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine treated?
The sooner treatment is started, the more likely it is to stop the process. Cartilaginous structures are not restored, but you can at least prevent their further destruction. For this, the doctor prescribes the following medicines:
1) Anti-inflammatory drugs: “Celebrex”, “Movalis”, “Diclofenac”, “Ibuprofen”. Sometimes it is advisable to start with the use of such drugs in the form of ointments, only if they are ineffective, switching to taking them in tablets or injections.
2) Novocaine blockade is used to relieve acute pain in the spine. This is not just a symptomatic treatment, as many people think: the absence of pain relaxes overstressed muscles of the back, which, being in a strong spasm, additionally “pull” the spine, exacerbating the destruction of the disk between the vertebrae. Only after the blockade is it necessary to take further treatment measures.
3) Chondroprotectors. These are glucosamine and chondroitin preparations - normal components of cartilage. They help stop the process of disk destruction, only:
- if something else remains from the disk;
- if they are taken without interruption for at least six months;
- if a normal daily dose of the drug is selected (there should be at least 1000 mg of glucosamine and chondroitin per day).
In addition to drug treatment, it is very important to follow a diet, as well as engage with a physical therapy practitioner according to a program selected by the doctor. So, exercises for the lumbosacral spine are divided into three periods: acute, subacute and recovery. In the acute period, you need to learn how to properly relax all the muscles, especially the back muscles. The more extensive complex of exercise therapy is already used in the subacute, but during the exercises it is impossible to tilt the body and raise the unbent leg (you can and only need to bend the leg bent at the hip joint, actively move your toes, lying down to bend-unbend the leg at the knee).
During the recovery period, we gradually begin to engage in push-ups, pull-ups, leg swings, tilts of the body.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Medications are used the same as with lumbosacral damage. It is important to perform the exercises, but this should be done under medical supervision, so as not to aggravate your condition.
So, in acute and subacute periods you need to deal only in the collar of Shants. At this time, neck movements, head tilts are contraindicated. Only at the recovery stage (after several weeks) the collar is removed, the exercises begin to include pressure on different parts of the head (nape, forehead) on the assistant’s hand, then it will be possible to bend the neck and turn the head.