Osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine can be attributed to the group of diseases that significantly complicate the patient’s life process and can even lead to permanent disability (if untreated).
What is the essence of a disease such as osteochondrosis
Initially, it is important to note that a similar problem is a consequence of the destruction of the connective tissue of the intervertebral discs, articular surfaces, ligaments and bodies of adjacent vertebrae.
Cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis are essentially the same process, only localized in different places. Such degenerative changes result in stable overload and metabolic disorders.
In the initial stage of the disease, the breakdown of glycoproteins is recorded. We are talking about complex substances that consist of proteins and polysaccharides. It is their presence that provides such properties of connective tissue as elasticity and resilience. At the next stage of the development of the disease, destructive processes affect the bone structures of the spine, which are related to cartilage. This type of change is defined as degenerative-dystrophic.
The lesion occurs in the area of ​​the intervertebral disc, which consists of an external fibrous ring and a gel-like pulpous nucleus located inside. Pain with lumbar osteochondrosis begins to be felt when, due to the drying of the nucleus and the loss of cushioning properties, the fibrous ring is pulled apart. In this state, a significant mechanical load is placed on the vertebrae, which ultimately leads to increased formation of fibrous and bone tissue in places that are overloaded. As a result, bone growths appear. They are called osteophytes.
What can cause osteochondrosis
Degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine develop under the influence of various factors. And although, as a rule, one of them predominates, nevertheless lumbar osteochondrosis is a product of the influence of a whole complex of causes.
Initially, it is worth paying attention to the role of the strong and stable loads mentioned above. If this factor is supplemented by poor posture and a lack of a healthy lifestyle, then the development of the disease can accelerate and, moreover, lead to some complications.
Another reason lumbar osteochondrosis can make itself felt is a back injury. Professional athletes are also at risk. Sufficiently high chances of progress of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine are in people who play sports on their own and perform incorrectly complex exercises, especially with heavy weight.
Do not ignore such a factor as the regimen of the day, which does not allow the body to fully recover. If under such conditions a person is sleep deprived, is in a state of chronic fatigue and experiences constant stress, then there is every reason to expect back pain.
But not always external factors cause the development of a disease such as lumbar osteochondrosis. Signs of this disease may be due to poor heredity. This is an initially increased level of looseness of the disk structure. In this state, the elements of the spine are easily deformable.
If a person has to stay in one position for a long time (sitting, standing, bending), then in this case conditions are also created for the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the disk.
There are frequent cases when osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine develops in those who suffer from inflammatory diseases of the articular tissues of the spine.
Symptomatology
With such a serious disease as osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment should be thoroughly studied. This will help in time to determine the development of destructive processes and to consult a highly qualified doctor in a timely manner.
The first and main symptom that you should pay attention to is a sensation of pain in the lumbar region. Moreover, it can occur at rest, and with a sharp movement, and in some cases - after heavy loads. As for the nature of the pain, it can be either localized in a particular area, or spreading up the back from the lower back.
When the disease goes into the stage of active development, pain can be felt even with coughing, sneezing, or any minor activity that affects the lumbar. In this case, the mobility of this part of the back is significantly impaired. This problem is especially pronounced when trying to bend or turn to the side.
In the event that, with osteochondrosis, bone formations or an extended fibrous ring affect the nerve root, the following symptoms may appear:
- sharp, shooting pain in the lumbar region;
- muscle weakness;
- disruption of the internal organs associated with a pinched nerve;
- a feeling of constant cold in the legs and spasm of the arteries of the feet;
- a significant decrease in tendon reflexes;
- disturbed sweating.
It is worth highlighting such non-specific symptoms as weakness, fatigue, problems with sleep, genitourinary system, fatigue and irritability.
In order to better understand the essence of this disease, it is worth considering separately the degree of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
First degree
In this period of the development of the disease, pain is felt due to irritation of the nerve endings, which are located in the longitudinal ligaments and fibrous ring. The patient feels severe discomfort only in that part of the back where the affected disk is located. Such sensations can take the form of sharp lumbago along the back or acute pain. In some cases, lumbalgia is fixed - a dull pain that is permanent.
Such a fact as irritation of nerve endings can cause the development of reflex syndromes. They very clearly characterize the first degree of such a disease as osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which It is important to determine precisely in this period.
The essence of reflex syndromes is to spread from irritated endings of impulses that diverge throughout the spinal cord. Thus, they act on other tissues and organs.
It is this process that explains the fact that during destructive processes in the lumbar region, pain can be felt in completely different places. In some cases, reflex syndromes can occur through impaired blood supply in the ligaments and limbs, spasms of blood vessels and muscles, as well as in the malfunction of internal organs.
In turn, poor nutrition and blood supply to the tendons and ligaments entails the appearance of painful seals, as well as changes in the places where they are attached to the bones. Often this is the most painful problem.
Considering a topic such as "osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment", it is worth paying attention to other signs characteristic of this degree of the disease. We are talking about sciatica (pain localized only in the leg) and manifested much more often - lumbar ischialgia (painful sensations in the leg).
If there was a spasm of the femoral vessels mentioned above, then there are all reasons to expect the appearance of diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities (obliterating atherosclerosis, etc.). Very rarely, urinary incontinence and impaired bladder function are possible.
Second degree
At this stage, there is a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and subsequent pinching of the nerve endings. As for the fibrous ring, it continues to break down. At this level of disruption of the discs, the pains manifest brightly and are given to the thigh and lower leg. At the same time, cold or heat is felt in the lumbar region.
This degree of development of lumbar osteochondrosis is characterized by bouts of pain, which are accompanied by profuse sweating and paresthesia (goosebumps).
Due to instability and increased mobility of the vertebrae, the back muscles go into a state of persistent and prolonged tension. The consequence of these processes is stable lumbar fatigue and discomfort.
Third degree
For such a period, prolapse of disc fragments, compression of nerves, and as a result, the manifestation of radicular syndromes are characteristic.
In the area where the nerve root was squeezed, the patient's sensitivity is impaired. At first, it becomes elevated and is accompanied by tingling and burning. After that comes numbness, and in some cases a complete loss of sensitivity. Such processes can cause impaired motor function. Moreover, it (violation) can reach the level of paralysis or muscle atrophy.
It makes sense to mention the Laseg symptom: if you raise your leg while lying down, then there will be severe pain in the lumbar spine, which spreads along the back surface of the leg. When the leg is in its original position, the pain stops.
In the third stage, due to prolapse of disk fragments, damage to the spinal cord is possible.
Fourth degree
Considering osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of the fourth degree should be studied without fail.
At this stage of the disease progression, destructive processes affect the intervertebral joints, ligaments, and at the same time, fibrosis of the disk develops, which should be understood as jamming of all its elements with dense connective scar tissue. In this condition, the pain syndrome may go away and there is even a chance to restore the supporting function of the spine. But at the same time, the amplitude of the movement becomes very limited.
It is worth noting that different stages of the development of the disease can be recorded in different disks, so the symptoms can be diverse.
Lumbar Osteochondrosis: Symptoms and Medication
Depending on what symptoms and stage of the disease you have to deal with, specific drugs are prescribed.
At the same time, treatment is focused on several key tasks:
- neutralization of pain;
- competent preparation of a plan of therapeutic and preventive measures that will help slow down degenerative processes in the spine;
- return to normal activity.
Referring in more detail to the treatment of osteochondrosis, it is worth noting that drug therapy involves the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesics. This may be Nimesulide, Ibuprofen, Lornoxicam, Etoricoxib, Ketoprofen and others. Depending on the patient's condition, tablets or injections may be used.
If the above drugs do not have the necessary effects, doctors can use glucocorticoid hormones. We are talking about such drugs as Betamethasone, Prednisolone, Triamcinolone, Dexamethasone and others. Such drugs are injected directly into the place where the pain is localized and the focus of the disease is located.
Drug therapy for lumbar osteochondrosis includes the use of B vitamins (B 12, B 6, B 1). If reflexogenic and concomitant psychogenic disorders occur, then sedatives and antidepressants are prescribed. In the case when radicular syndrome is fixed , diuretics and anticholinesterase drugs are used for paralysis.
When an exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis is recorded, novocaine blockade can be used.
The use of acupuncture
With this treatment technique, disposable sterile needles with a rounded tip are used. This allows you to push apart tissue without piercing the skin and blood vessels. Due to the fact that such needles are in the body for a long time, tissue irritation occurs, leading to the body's response.
As a result, acupuncture treatment gives the following effect:
- Cortisone is released, which has a strong anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect.
- Eliminates muscle spasm, which is extremely important for proper blood supply.
- The hormonal system reacts to the injected needles, releasing hormones that block pain in the body.
Thus, acupuncture treatment allows you to relax the muscles and provide nutrition to the vertebral cartilage and joints.
A feature of this technique is the fact that it can help those patients who could not get tangible improvements with the help of traditional treatment. In addition, pain often decreases after the first session. But to consolidate the effect, exercises are needed for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
In general, when considering reflexology, it is worth highlighting some obvious advantages of such treatment:
- the procedure itself is not painful;
- side effects and allergic reactions to needles are excluded;
- the pain is relieved efficiently and quickly, which significantly reduces the need for medication.
But it is important that this technique is used by a highly qualified specialist.
The role of physiotherapy in the treatment process
Exercise has a significant impact on the treatment of osteochondrosis and has tangible preventive value.
In order to effectively address a problem such as degenerative-dystrophic changes, you need to use an integrated approach:
- gentle stretch marks;
- massage for lumbar osteochondrosis;
- exercises for the lower spine;
- special nutrition, which in some cases should include a salt-free diet.
As for the complex of exercises, it should be made by the attending physician, who will be able to take into account all the features of the condition of a particular patient.
If the exercises for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are performed stably and competently, then after 2-3 months the patient’s condition will improve significantly: normal blood supply to the affected area will be restored, as well as the functions of the nerve roots, lymph drainage will normalize and favorable conditions will be created for the restoration of fibrous ring cracks. .
Thus, anyone who intends to quickly and effectively overcome the disease needs to pay attention to exercise therapy.
How to treat lumbar osteochondrosis at home
In the home, with the concomitant consultation of a doctor, you can use medication and restorative gymnastics. In this case, it is very important to pay attention to the following detail: for the full restoration of the intervertebral discs, it is necessary to use the correct bedding, in particular a mattress. This is important for the reason that, being in the wrong position during rest, the muscles of the lumbar can not completely relax. This fact, in turn, interferes with recovery processes, which are extremely important for recovery.
Home treatment for osteochondrosis may also include the use of compresses and infusions. An example is the following recipe: 1 head of garlic and lemon and skin are rubbed and poured with a liter of boiled water. All this is insisted for 2 days. Ready infusion is taken three times a day for a tablespoon.
Do not forget about therapeutic baths, which can have a noticeable effect on the lumbar.
A topic such as “Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment with medicines and folk remedies” is more than relevant, since many people suffer from this disease. The main thing to remember is that any treatment should be carried out with the accompanying consultation of a doctor. Otherwise, you can only aggravate the situation.