Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms of the problem and treatment

Connecting the fixed, thoracic and sacral sections of the spine, the lumbar plays the most important role. It provides mobility to the spine.

With the development of degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs, signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear. A serious illness can significantly complicate existence, leading to a decrease in working capacity and even disability.

causes

All over the world, this disease is becoming more and more prevalent. This is facilitated by common factors such as physical inactivity, poor environmental conditions, malnutrition and obesity. At the same time, it is often on the back that the heaviest loads fall, so it is important to know the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis.

• More than half of the cases of the disease are associated with a hereditary predisposition, which determines the structure of the intervertebral discs, which are easily deformed.
• Work associated with regular physical overload is a negative factor that can cause problems with the spine.
• With incorrect posture, aggravated by hypodynamia, the lumbar region is under greater stress.
• Injuries to the spine in the future often lead to the manifestation of the disease. Therefore, representatives of professional sports are at risk.
• Many years ago, osteochondrosis was a disease of the elderly - this has its own logic. Discs are more likely to warp with age. However, today this disease can be observed in 30-somethings. The impetus for the development of osteochondrosis is errors in the independent performance of complex physical exercises.
• If there are pathologies of the joints, severe hypothermia and strong tension when lifting a heavy load can cause pain.
• Excess weight puts extra pressure on all the joints of the spine.
• Often the onset of the disease is associated with pathologies of certain internal organs: the liver, kidneys and others.

Symptoms

So, consider the signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.

• The first and main symptom of the disease is pain, at first periodic, occurring in the lumbar region during intense exertion. At first it passes after rest, but then becomes permanent, covering not only the lower back, but also the lower body. During the further destruction of the vertebra, the pain becomes stronger, there is a feeling of heat or cold in the back.
• The sensitivity of the skin of the lower body decreases or even completely disappears, spasm of the arteries may occur. The fact that the vertebra is no longer fixed by the disc leads to serious damage to the internal organs.
• Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in women are supplemented by inflammation of the ovaries, appendages and uterus. This circumstance can mask the main signs and lead to misdiagnosis.
• Due to severe pain, a person has to be in an unnatural position most of the time, as a result of which the spine is displaced to one side. A vault appears in the posture, and a tension in the gait.
• The spine loses its mobility and flexibility. The effect of lumbodynia is observed when, after prolonged work in a bent state, it is difficult for the patient to straighten up.
• Compression of the nerve root in the vertebra is accompanied by sharp pains and can lead to consequences in the form of reduced mobility.
• Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is also characterized by symptoms of ischemic syndrome, that is, a group of signs associated with a decrease in blood flow in compressed vessels. At first, the spasm of the arteries occurs episodically, accompanied by pain when walking. After the rest, they pass. However, over time, the spasm is prolonged, the pelvic organs stop receiving nutrition, which disrupts their work. Stopping blood flow can lead to paralysis.
• The disease can cause pain in the coccyx. Signs of sacral osteochondrosis differ in a certain originality, therefore it is more difficult to diagnose. Despite strong, even bursting pains, they are transmitted to the surrounding tissues, so the patient cannot tell the exact location of their localization. In addition, they are accompanied by inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system. There are frequent urination or urinary incontinence, constipation, it is difficult for the patient to sit up and move around.

Complications

If left untreated, progressive disease can lead to serious complications.

• The result of the rupture of the fibrous ring will be the pinching of the nerve endings by the protruding nucleus pulposus - an intervertebral hernia will occur.
• Prolonged inflammatory processes in the spine can lead to sciatica - a disease of the spinal nerve roots.
• A very serious complication is inflammation of the sciatic nerve, which is characterized not only by severe pain, but also by numbness in the limbs.
• Impaired blood circulation in the spinal cord can cause compressive myelopathy.
• Cauda equina syndrome is one of the most serious consequences of osteochondrosis. A bundle of nerve endings extending from a vertebra to the end of the spinal cord is responsible for transmitting the body's impulses, allowing the brain to control the work of the body. Their acute inflammation can lead to dysfunction of the genitourinary system and partial or complete paralysis of the limbs.

Processing

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, its symptoms and treatment depend on where the nerve ending was pinched, where pain and loss of feeling are felt. If the therapy is started in time, it will be quite successful, but in any case it will require an integrated approach.

Medicines are only used to relieve acute pain. The main goal of therapy is to stop the development of the disease and return the spine to the correct position, restoring normal blood flow in it. This is a complex and long process that requires the use of various rehabilitation methods.

Physiotherapy

Therapeutic gymnastics occupies an important place in rehabilitation. It is prescribed a few days after the elimination of severe pain, is selected separately for each patient and depends on:

• disease stage,
• causes of lumbar osteochondrosis,
• the patient's age,
• pain localization sites,
• and other factors.

The main goal of therapeutic exercises is to create a reliable muscle corset that will help reduce the load on the intervertebral discs. In the initial period, several exercises with a small load are offered. It gradually increases. Over time, special exercises are added to the general exercises.

Gymnastics is first practiced lying on your back. In this case, the load on the spine is minimal, there is no increase in pain. The next stage is exercises, lying on your side, then on your stomach. You can put a pillow under it and a roller under the joints of the lower limbs.

At the initial stage, all exercises are performed very slowly and carefully. As the range of motion increases, new ones are added. After the pain stops and the patient's condition improves, the complex is completed with exercises that are performed standing on all fours, then sitting in a chair, then standing.

If the disease is in a chronic form, then, depending on the patient's well-being, he is allowed to engage in certain sports - swimming, skiing and others. The effectiveness of therapeutic exercises will increase several times with regular classes.

Manual therapy and massage

Manual therapy is one of the oldest and most effective methods as part of complex measures used to treat lumbar osteochondrosis and its symptoms. The course includes several procedures that can eliminate the cause of pain and numbness in the limbs, relieve tension in muscle fibers, restore blood circulation and joint mobility. Using this technique, you can achieve a quick and positive effect, comparable to the results of therapeutic exercises. However, it has some contraindications that should be taken into account when including it in a complex treatment.

An excellent tool in the fight against a serious illness is massage. After several sessions, the patient feels better, muscle stiffness disappears and joint mobility is restored. But each case of the disease has its own characteristics, and only a qualified specialist should prescribe this procedure.

There are a number of contraindications, in the presence of which massage is prohibited for a certain category of patients:

• neoplasms of a different nature;
• third degree hypertension;
• moles in the massage area;
• arrhythmia and other pathologies of the heart;
• blood diseases;
• women's diseases and a few others.

Usually a traditional type of massage is prescribed. The first procedures may be accompanied by slight pain, which will soon stop.

Severe pain during the session is unacceptable. To improve blood circulation in the affected area, vacuum massage using cans can be used.

A doctor will help you overcome lumbar osteochondrosis and its symptoms and choose the most effective treatment. Most likely, massage will be included in the list of recommendations.

Physiotherapy

The complex of therapeutic measures includes physiotherapeutic methods. They allow you to act locally on the affected area and eliminate unpleasant symptoms. The following types of physiotherapy have been widely used:

• exposure to an electric or electromagnetic field allows you to increase blood flow and metabolic processes in tissues;
• ultraviolet light relieves inflammation, stimulates the production of vitamin D, strengthens the body's defenses;
• ultrasonic waves have a high anti-inflammatory effect;
• Balneotherapy is widely used both in the treatment and prevention of diseases of the spine, due to the gentle and effective healing effect of mineral springs and therapeutic mud.

This method also has some contraindications, which should be taken into account when prescribing such procedures.

There are many widely used folk recipes for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, as effective remedies. They can be a good addition to the main treatment after consultation with a specialist. Ointments and compresses, decoctions of herbs can be used for rubbing or ingested. Homemade products can cause allergic reactions. Poisonous plants can also be prescribed in recipes, so you need to follow the exact dosage of these substances, check the body's reaction to their use and consult a doctor.

Prevention

The measures that can prevent this serious disease must be comprehensive and include, above all, physical activity. It can be long walks at a calm pace, regular trips to the pool, sports. Walking and running help engage major muscle groups, and water helps them relax better and increase range of motion.

A balanced fractional diet is of great importance for health, in which particular attention should be paid to foods with a high fiber content. Vegetables and fruits will establish the normal functioning of the digestive system, metabolic products will not linger in the intestines, poisoning the body. Thanks to small portions, the food will be completely transformed.

It is necessary to arrange a good rest and sleep on a flat hard base. Useful orthopedic mattresses that maintain the natural position of the spine.

The first signs of lumbar osteochondrosis require immediate medical attention, then there is the possibility of successful treatment and restoration of spinal function.