The leading place among all diseases of the spine is osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine of the 2nd degree. It is accompanied by pathological processes in the structure of the intervertebral discs. Such a violation can occur for a variety of reasons and lead to a decrease in elasticity and loss of mobility of the spine. The patient constantly complains of pain and muscle spasm. It is important to pay attention to the signs and treatment.
Features of the disease
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of the 2nd degree is characterized by the fact that degenerative processes occur in the affected area. Among the main characteristics of such a disease, it is necessary to highlight the fact that as a result of its course:
- the distance between the vertebrae is reduced;
- destruction of fibrous and adjacent tissues occurs;
- radicular compression occurs.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of the 2nd degree is especially dangerous because it leads to strong mobility of the vertebral segment. In this case, various capsular changes occur. In the process of destruction, the formation of lumbalgia is possible, which is dangerous by its constancy.
The duration of the pathological process can be several years with alternating exacerbation and remission. In some cases, a necessary measure is the application of a retaining bandage or wearing a corset. That is why the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of the 2nd degree should be carried out immediately.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of the 2nd degree develops mainly in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, since their muscle tissue degrades over time. Muscles become less inflated, and, accordingly, a very large load is placed on the spine without additional support.
In addition, pregnant women are at risk. Osteochondrosis in them develops against a background of ongoing hormonal changes that can provoke softening of the vertebrae. In addition, improper load balancing plays an important role. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar 1-2 degree can develop when exposed to factors such as:
- significant loads;
- hormonal and metabolic disorders;
- physical inactivity;
- pathology of an infectious nature;
- psycho-emotional overstrain;
- overweight;
- injuries
- age-related changes.
All these factors create the prerequisites for the development of the disease. Improper nutrition is very important, which gradually leads to thinning and destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Development mechanism
Osteochondrosis leads to various kinds of complications, it is important to diagnose on time. With osteochondrosis of the lumbar 1-2 degrees of pain are limited exclusively to the affected area. The duration of this period can be several years, without causing a person special discomfort. Aching pain occurs only with a strong load on the spine.
If in time to carry out complex treatment and prevention, then the development of the disease can be stopped. With the subsequent development of pathology, a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs is observed. Muscles and ligaments weaken and sag. Gradually, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of the 2nd degree begins to develop, in which there is a slight displacement of individual vertebrae. Physical activity only enhances the course of pathology.
This manifests itself in the form of pain in the affected area, as there is pinching and irritation of the nerve endings. This condition can continue for several years, accompanied by exacerbation and remission. During an exacerbation, pain is observed not only in the spine, but also in internal organs.
With osteochondrosis of the lumbar sacral region of the 2nd degree, the body tries to compensate for the incorrect redistribution of the load. On the edges of the spine, growths begin to form, expanding the area of their contact. As a result, the lumen of the intervertebral space is greatly narrowed, and pressure is also exerted on the nerve endings and blood vessels.
Main symptoms
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar 2-3 degree is the most common. The duration of its course has a staged character. Among the main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of the 2nd degree, it is necessary to distinguish such as:
- change in the functionality of bone tissue;
- it becomes difficult for a person to move around;
- sensitivity in the affected area decreases;
- there is pain in the lower back;
- local temperature increase;
- excessive sweating.
Symptoms develop very slowly over time. When pinched nerve endings, the ability to move is significantly limited. Bending, turning, or just sitting can provoke very strong attacks with the transition of pain in the leg. The pain resembles an electric shock.
In extreme cases, sexual dysfunction and problems with urination may occur. Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar 2 degree in women have their own specifics, as the disease has a negative effect on the reproductive system. Under the influence of the disease, the menstrual cycle changes and can become irregular. During pregnancy, osteochondrosis can cause premature birth or miscarriage. In addition, seasonal exacerbations are noted.
Diagnostics
If you experience pain in the back, you need to visit a doctor for diagnosis. It is important to detect osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of 1-2 degrees in time, since in the early stages it is much easier to eliminate the pathology. Initially, the therapist examines and prescribes a series of additional studies. Based on the results of the diagnosis, subsequent treatment will be prescribed. After making sure that pain is a sign of osteochondrosis, the therapist will refer to narrow-profile specialists.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of the 2nd degree, can be determined by a vertebrologist or neurologist who examine the patient and prescribe tests. For the diagnosis, such examinations are used as:
After the diagnosis, the doctor selects the treatment purely individually, depending on the characteristics of the pathology.
Treatment features
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of the 2nd degree implies conservative measures aimed at combating acute pain, as well as slowing down the destruction of the intervertebral disc. With exacerbation, stationary observation is indicated. Compliance with bed rest is also required.
When conducting therapy, wearing a semi-rigid corset gives a good result. After the stage of exacerbation subsided, underwater traction with massage, reflexology, physiotherapy exercises, balneotherapy are indicated. In addition, walking with crutches is prescribed. At the same time, the use of analgesics, neurotropic drugs, vitamins, sedatives, chondroprotectors is indicated. With severe pain, novocaine blockades are prescribed. Perhaps the introduction of biogenic stimulants such as vitreous or aloe. Folk remedies can be used as an auxiliary therapy technique, and also a balanced diet and compliance with physical activity are required.
After eliminating the pain, a good therapeutic result is given by exposure to heat, in particular applications, dry heat. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of the 2nd degree must be comprehensive, since only in this way can the existing symptoms be reduced and long-term remission achieved. In severe cases, surgery is required.
Drug therapy
With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of the 2nd degree, medications help eliminate pain and the inflammatory process that occurs in the affected area. When diagnosing an advanced form of pathology, a blockade is performed, that is, the patient is given an anesthetic. To combat an existing disease, such groups of medications are prescribed as:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- muscle relaxants;
- chondroprotectors;
- analgesics;
- vitamin and mineral complexes.
Drug therapy should be started immediately after diagnosis, since with untimely treatment, the disease will progress further. In the presence of severe pain, the doctor initially prescribes analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. If they do not bring relief, then a novocaine blockade is required.
Additionally, local products are used, in particular, such as creams, ointments and gels. Mostly prescribed are Prednisone or Diclofenac. In order not only to eliminate pain, but also to normalize blood circulation, the use of combined gels is required, in particular, such as Dolobene gel, Finalgel. To enhance the therapeutic effect, the use of ointments can be combined with a massage course.
During the treatment, the body spends a lot of useful substances, which is why it is necessary to restore their loss. In this case, the doctor prescribes vitamin and mineral complexes. If necessary, intramuscular injections of vitamins are used. The course of treatment is approximately 1 month.
Physiotherapeutic Techniques
In osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine of the 2nd degree, physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process and reducing pain are important. To do this, apply such techniques as:
- ultrasound therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- acupuncture;
- magnetotherapy;
- mud applications;
- balneological procedures;
- vibration therapy;
- UHF
A very good result gives massage. You can carry out this procedure yourself using a manual massager. Massage movements help eliminate muscle spasm and help eliminate stagnation. This procedure has a calming and positive effect on the patient's psycho-emotional state.
Acupuncture performed by an acupuncturist is considered a very good method of therapy. In some cases, treatment with leeches is indicated. Hirudotherapy helps to normalize blood circulation in the affected area.
To eliminate degenerative processes, it is recommended to additionally use therapeutic exercises. Exercise helps to normalize blood circulation, restore the required mobility and flexibility of the spine, strengthen muscles. The treatment complex is selected individually depending on the physiological characteristics of the patient.
It is worth noting that the exercises must be performed regularly, as otherwise the therapy will not bring any result. In the presence of acute pain, exercise is not recommended, since during this period the patient is shown complete rest. The load should be increased gradually, all exercises are aimed at stretching and strengthening the back muscles. After a while, patients note an improvement in well-being.
Folk remedies
Osteochondrosis can be treated with the help of folk methods, but they are auxiliary agents. Apply rubbing alcohol-based with the addition of medicinal plants, in particular such as St. John's wort and chamomile.
To treat back pain, tincture of hot pepper is used. To do this, pour dry powder with vodka and insist 5-6 days, shaking all the time. Then apply for grinding the affected area.
An ointment made from honey and aloe is used to treat osteochondrosis. To prepare a therapeutic agent, you need to mix aloe juice, honey, diluted alcohol or vodka. The mixture is used as a compress. It is necessary to moisten the tissue in the prepared product, apply to the affected area and keep until completely dry. The procedure must be repeated 2 times a day.
To treat the disease, you need to use horseradish with alcohol. To do this, squeeze the juice from the roots of horseradish and mix with an equal amount of alcohol or vodka. With the finished mixture, you need to lubricate the lower back, and then wrap the affected area with a woolen cloth for 1 hour to warm.
Grate the garlic and mix with double the amount of pork fat. With osteochondrosis, you need to rub the finished product into sore spots. A compress from a cabbage leaf has a good effect. For this, the upper leaves of cabbage should be cleaned of thick veins, stretched, lowered for several seconds in hot water. Then attach to the affected area and wrap. When the leaf darkens, it must be replaced with a fresh one.
It is worth noting that folk remedies and methods are allowed to be used only with the permission of the attending physician. They help to cope with the disease, but do not replace the main therapy.
Dieting
Proper, complete and balanced nutrition helps to cope with an existing disease much faster. Diet for osteochondrosis implies the consumption of foods with a large number of B vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins. It is necessary to limit the intake of simple carbohydrates, spirits, salt, smoked meats, salt, seasonings.
Surgical intervention
Operations with osteochondrosis are very rare, in the case when conservative therapy does not bring the desired result. Basically, the operation is used to remove the intervertebral hernia, which develops as a complication.
Possible complications
In more advanced cases and with improper treatment, a number of complications can develop, which manifest themselves in the form of:
- the formation of a hernia between the vertebrae;
- muscle paresis;
- protrusion development;
- tissue deformation and degeneration;
- constant pain.
Degenerative processes gradually begin to spread throughout the height of the spine, involving adjacent joints and soft tissues. The growth of osteophytes leads to very severe violations of the mobility of the spine and loss of performance. Osteochondrosis is manifested not only by acute pain in the back, but also with a lack of blood circulation in the lower part of the spinal cord, severe weakness in the legs may appear, which is especially pronounced during walking. In this case, pain in the legs is absent.
In some cases, mild tingling may occur in the limbs. Unpleasant sensations gradually cover the entire surface of the legs and groin area. Discomfort quickly passes after a short rest.
In some cases, disability occurs with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine 2 degrees. This condition requires immediate surgery. If osteochondrosis is found in the patient during the examination, then they may not be recruited into the army. An X-ray examination is required to confirm the diagnosis.
Prophylaxis
In order not to conduct treatment for a long time, certain preventive measures must be followed to prevent the development of such a pathology. Prevention implies a review of your usual lifestyle. From early childhood, you need to strictly control the child’s posture and try to protect him from infectious diseases.
During sleep, it is recommended to sit on a flat surface and it is best to sleep without a pillow. In addition, you should avoid hypothermia, observe personal hygiene. To strengthen the skeletal and muscular systems, physiotherapy exercises and massage sessions are necessary. When conducting prophylaxis and timely treatment, complications can be avoided.