Osteochondrosis is a problem disease of the spine, which affects every fourth inhabitant of the planet Earth. Among the most common diseases of the world, this ailment takes the second place, second only to cardiovascular diseases. Most often, osteochondrosis, a photo of which is presented to your attention, affects the lumbosacral spine.
The back is under constant stress, but the lower back is most affected. Therefore, the intervertebral discs in it undergo a greater deformation than in other departments. The problems caused by various diseases of the back are the result of a systematic and prolonged stay of a person in a sitting position. Due to the lack of a reasonable physical load, the muscle corset begins to change, which leads to pain. Timely identified symptoms and properly prescribed treatment will help get rid of pain and disease in general.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which there is a change in the cartilage surface of the bones. Most often, this disease affects the lumbosacral spine. Its free and active movement occurs due to intervertebral discs, which are a cluster of cartilage.
When these structures are affected by osteochondrosis, the photo of which you see, their elasticity is lost, and over time they become stratified and deformed. As a result of such changes, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced. Nerve roots are compressed, pain appears. If the disease is not treated, the pain and swelling intensify, since the nerve bundles of the vessels become even more infringed over time.
How to know that this is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is an ailment that affects many muscles and internal organs of a person, as there is an infringement of the neurovascular bundles, which impairs innervation and blood supply. So, if the lumbar spine is involved in the process, a person begins to have problems with the digestive and urinary systems, impotence. An accurate diagnosis is made depending on the location of the pain in the spine. Back in the last century, osteochondrosis was mainly affected by older people.
Currently, very young people are exposed to this disease. According to statistics, in our country, more than 90% of the population shows any kind of disease of the supporting apparatus. Thousands of people suffer from such an ailment as osteochondrosis of the sacral spine, which negatively affects the functioning of the body as a whole.
Sacral spine
The spinal column consists of several departments, one of which is the sacral. It has five vertebrae, which due to the lack of intervertebral discs are interconnected motionlessly and are an integral part of the pelvis. The lumbar spine has the same number of vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Osteochondrosis is a disease characterized by damage to the intervertebral discs. Since they are not in the sacral section, therefore, osteochondrosis of this area of the spine is very rare. It is one of the stages of development of lumbar osteochondrosis. Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral the spine is a lesion of the disc. They are located between the vertebrae of the lumbar region and the last vertebra, fastened to the sacrum.
Stages of the disease
If lumbosacral osteochondrosis is not treated, the disease will progress and can reach the last stage of development (there are only four), which leads a person to disability. Let's consider each of them.
- The initial stage of the disease is characterized by the appearance of cracks in the intervertebral discs. There is discomfort in the lower back, which noticeably increases during exertion, and disappears during rest. The pains can be either permanent or temporary, with backache. But this does not deliver tangible inconvenience to a person, and he is in no hurry to consult a doctor.
- The second stage is characterized by a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, pinching of the nerve endings and destruction of the fibrous ring. The pains become pronounced, often given to the thigh and lower leg. During seizures, profuse sweating appears. A person has a desire to seek medical advice.
- At this stage of the disease, a spinal curvature occurs. There are severe pains that can occur unexpectedly and give to the fingers and leg. Bone osteophytes appear. They begin to squeeze blood vessels, nerves and tissues.
- When the disease reaches the fourth, last stage of development, a person experiences great difficulties during movement, since his spine is curved. There are growths on the bones. Lumbosacral osteochondrosis in a neglected form leads to disability.
What are the causes of osteochondrosis?
- Lack of physical activity. It is experienced by people leading a sedentary lifestyle.
- Excessive physical activity on the spine and lifting excessive loads. This disease is often affected by people involved in weightlifting.
- Improper posture, uncomfortable posture during sleep, work or exercise, if this occurs systematically and for a long time.
- Hereditary predisposition, abnormalities in the development of the spine, fragile structure of cartilage tissue.
- Flat feet, in which the foot is not able to evenly distribute the load on the entire spine.
- The weight of a person, if he is much higher than normal.
- Received injuries of the lumbosacral spine, as a result of which discs can be deformed.
- Diseases of the heart, digestive and endocrine systems.
- Spinal diseases. So, rheumatoid arthritis can cause osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine.
- If a person adheres to the wrong lifestyle: he eats at random, lacks sleep, does not observe the daily routine, is constantly experiencing stress, and is prone to depression.
- Hypothermia and prolonged exposure to drafts.
- Changes with age, when the intervertebral discs lose elasticity and begin to react sharply to all kinds of adverse conditions.
Symptoms of the disease
When the disease reaches the second or third stage of development, symptoms of the disease begin to appear. An exception may be severe hypothermia or human stress. In this case, the disease makes itself felt by bouts of sharp pain already at the first stage of development. By itself, it does not threaten human health. But the development of the disease is accompanied by dangerous symptoms, which leads a person to disability, contributes to the development of heart and vascular diseases, becomes the impetus for the beginning of protrusion of the discs between the vertebrae. When a person has a backache, most often it is lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- Pain during sudden movements and physical exertion. Gradually, pain increases and becomes longer. They can occur at the slightest exertion, such as sneezing or coughing. The pain is accompanied by numbness.
- The sensitivity of the legs is lost.
- Chronic fatigue and persistent depression appear.
- The mobility of the sacrum is impaired.
It is characterized by pinched nerves of the lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Symptoms are also characterized by other unpleasant sensations:
- Muscle weakness appears.
- The reflex ability of the tendons decreases.
- Sweating is disturbed.
- Spasms of arteries and a feeling of cold in the feet appear.
- The normal functioning of internal organs is disrupted.
Polysegmental osteochondrosis. What it is?
The spinal column has 24 segments, five of them belong to the sacral section. Each segment has its own spinal nerves, which are responsible for the work of certain human organs. The composition of the spinal-motor segment includes: adjacent vertebrae with ligaments and intervertebral discs. Polysegmental osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine affects several segments simultaneously.
This disease can be determined by the violation of the functioning of the abdominal organs and pain in the pelvis. They may also appear in the thigh, lower leg or buttocks and may be accompanied by lameness. A consequence of this form of osteochondrosis may be displacement of the discs between the vertebrae. This is dangerous because the spinal nerves begin to narrow. Over time, this condition leads to infringement and inflammation of the roots.
Polysegmental sacral osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are the most diverse, most often affects the spine. Aching pain in the back often does not allow walking and sitting normally. She worries even if the person is motionless. The cause of this condition is a pinched nerve. This disease cannot be cured completely. But correctly selected therapy will relieve pain, prevent all kinds of exacerbations and complications.
How to treat sacral osteochondrosis with medication?
The primary goal in treatment is the elimination or slowdown of destructive processes in the intervertebral discs. Lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the treatment of which begins with pain relief, cannot be eliminated without medical treatment if the disease has reached the second or third stage of development. The appointment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Ketorol, Nimesulide and others, is mandatory. If the pain is moderate, the doctor may prescribe these drugs in the form of a gel, ointment or cream. If strong - in the form of injections, capsules, tablets or suppositories.
At the same time, the patient takes medications that relieve spasms of the spinal muscles, such as Midocalm. With very severe pain that cannot be removed with the above drugs, the doctor prescribes Prednisolone, Dexamethasone and others. These are potent anti-inflammatory drugs, they will quickly relieve pain. But they are used in extreme cases, since these drugs have side effects.
If the pain is very severe, treatment is carried out by posture. A person lying on his back chooses a position in which pain is least felt. As soon as it subsides, a complex of physiotherapy exercises is carried out with a gradual increase in load. At the same time, the patient is prescribed a massage that relaxes, strengthens the muscles of the back and supports the spine. To enhance the therapeutic effect, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed.
How to cure osteochondrosis?
Only the load on the spine does not improve health. Active drug treatment is needed. To improve blood circulation in the spinal zone help: "Nicotinic acid", "Trental". Thanks to these drugs, blood flow to the arteries of the spine improves. The outflow of venous blood is activated by drugs such as Ascorutin and Troxevasin. To ensure the flow of energy to cells, it is necessary to stimulate cell metabolism. This is facilitated by vitamin "B". Such drugs as Chondroitin, Donna, Structum protect cartilage tissue from destruction.
Treatment with folk methods and means
With spinal disease, people often wonder how to cure osteochondrosis. If the disease is at the initial stage of development, the person does not think to consult a doctor. But he wants to get rid of unwanted symptoms. In this case, folk methods and means come to the rescue.
- Back pain can be eliminated with an ordinary rolling pin. It is necessary to alternately take it, then in the right, then in the left hand and tap on the spine. Exercise should be performed regularly, and the result will not be long in coming.
- Using a rolling pin, salt deposits can be broken. To do this, lie on her back and ride for 15-20 minutes. The next day the back will hurt, it should be so. Do not stop doing the exercise. The main thing is regularity.
- It is useful to apply compresses. Rub any ointment for joint rubbing, for example, Sustamed, Chondroitin, into the skin in the lumbar region and cover with polyethylene. It is better to use fresh leaves of lilac, mint, sage or lemon balm instead. On top of the second layer impose the leaves of cabbage or burdock. Wrap your back in a woolen shawl or blanket. If there is no time to lie patiently with a compress, you can fix it and walk with it.
Alternative Medicine Prescriptions
If the disease is not amenable to drug treatment, we treat osteochondrosis at home with folk remedies. Recipes of some of them:
- A burdock compress is applied to the lower back, covered with cellophane on top, then with a woolen scarf and held for 20 minutes. It is easy to prepare a decoction: the leaves of the plant are crushed and 250 ml of boiling water is poured. Insist half an hour, strain, cool. Soft tissue is wetted in the broth. The compress is ready.
- Elderberry compress. Tincture of 4 parts alcohol and 1 part berries is infused for 7-10 days. For a compress on her back, it is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 3.
- A decoction of parsley roots. It is prepared as follows: 3 tsp. dry plants and 500 ml of water are boiled over low heat, filtered and taken 1 tbsp. l every 12 hours.
Exercises of the first difficulty group
They are intended for the elderly, during exacerbations and in severe stages of the disease. Exercises are performed while lying down.
- Stretch with outstretched toes. Repeated several times.
- Legs bend at the knees. Alternately, each knee is clasped by hands and pulled on itself and back. Exercise is done 10 times.
- The starting position is the same. One leg straightens and slowly rises, then lowers. Repeat 4-5 times and move to the second leg.
- Get up from the couch and slowly stretch up, and then relieve tension. To do this, bend and soften with your hands down.
Second group of difficulty
Next, we will tell you what exercises are with lumbosacral osteochondrosis of the spine, when the disease is at the third stage of development.
- The complex begins with the last exercise of the previous group.
- Torso turns to the right and left with relaxed hands.
- Hands on the waist. 5 times the slopes are made to the right and left, forward and backward.
- All movements of the last exercise are connected in series. First, inclinations are performed clockwise, then counterclockwise.
- Rotations are made by the lower part of the body in the likeness of the last exercise.
- Stand on bent legs, lower your hands or put on your hips. Bend in the back, shoulder blades back. Then bend in an arch, bring shoulders together.
- The same exercise, only kneeling.
- Lie on the floor and perform an exercise from the complex of the first group with pulling the knee, but with a deeper amplitude.
- Bend your knees and put them to the right and left one by one.
Third group of difficulty
Exercises are available to people with the first stage of osteochondrosis and during the recovery period after an illness.
- Lie on your back, raise your elongated legs and hold them for several seconds. Then lower, rest and raise again. So do 10 times.
- Lying on your back, perform slow turns of both legs right and left at the same time. Repeat 10 times.
- Lie on your back, legs are straight. We perform small steps.
- Cross leg movements - scissors. Do not forget to relax.
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms along the body, lift the body and swing to the right and left.
- Lie on your back, arms behind your head, raise and lower the upper body 10 times.
- Kneel point blank, raise the right leg and left arm. Then vice versa.
- Sit on the floor, legs apart. Perform alternate bends to the legs.
- We do the same while standing. The slopes are deep.
Exercises are divided into groups conditionally. Depending on the stage of the disease and sports training, they will seem simple to one person and complex to another. Everyone will choose something in between. The main thing is not to be lazy and regularly perform these exercises.