Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the main cause of lower back pain in 3 out of 4 cases.If left untreated, this often leads to the hernia disc, leading to patient difficulties and significant restrictions on mobility.The disease is widespread - more than 50% of people complain about its manifestations at different stages.And no wonder the whole lower back is the lower spine and wears the largest load.
Is it possible to avoid "cost of walking up", what is needed for its early diagnosis and how to stop or slow down the course of the disease?Let's look at it in the article.
What is lumbosacral osteochondrosis
In addition to the 33 bones that make up the spine, the human spinal cord also includes cartilage intervertebral discs.They provide stability of the spine against vertical loads, and also play the role of a spring, softening movements - thanks to them, our bones do not rub against each other and the rear turns.Along with muscles and connections, they are involved in the human body, perceiving different positions.Without these cartilage "distance", we would not be able to run, jump and walk without suffering from painful headaches and injuries.However, over time, they tend to wear out - this is facilitated by the genetic "weakness" of cartilage tissue and the uneven distribution of load (eg with poor posture) and poor nutrition and many other factors related to the lifestyle of the modern man.The disease is characterized by a chronic course with periodic relapses.Full treatment is impossible, but timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine gives almost 100% effect and returns to normal life.
Degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue of the spine lead to degeneration of the intervertebral discs.It is expressed in discomfort in movement, muscle hypertension, acute shooting or constant pain in pain.The consequence of the abrasion of the intervertebral discs is the deterioration of tissue trophism, the appearance of micro -cracks in the bones and osteophytes, the convexity of the spinal cord and the compression of the internal organs.For this reason, lumbar osteochondrosis is called a disease of the whole body - it is able to cause a chain of metabolic disorders that affect the abdominal and pelvic organs (mainly the gastrointestinal tract and the genital), the spinal cord and the brain and so on.Radicular syndrome or radiculopathy caused by this disease can cause neuralgic pain in the heart and even the stomach.Occasionally, paresis of the legs and other severe symptoms of lumbar spine osteochondrosis are observed.
When the disease is located in the lumbar region, vertebrae often occurs due to sudden daily movements.In this case, it becomes difficult for patients to walk and sit, begins an inflammatory process whose relief requires medication treatment, physiotherapy, a special exercise program for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine and orthopedic monitoring.In some cases, the vertebrae is required - a rather painful procedure, after which a significant relief occurs after 1-2 days.It can only be performed by a chiropractic - an osteopath and a vertebrae.
Signs of lumbar osteochondrosis
After experiencing back pain, older - and sometimes young - people who do not know how lumbar osteochondrosis is manifested, often seek completely rational explanations for this.I have a cold, pulled, lying down ... In fact, pain syndrome and pain often indicate that nerve, root or even spinal cord compression has already occurred, which means that the disease has undergone the first stage and requires not only symptomatic but also supportive treatment.
- Osteochondrosis 1st degreeThe lumbar region is characterized by mild pain in the sacrum and above, which feels like an echo and does not attract special attention.The discomfort can only occur after sleep or prolonged sitting in an awkward position or significant physical activity.In this case, patients attribute the unpleasant sensations of "numbness" to the limbs, but hardware examination and modern diagnosis help to identify even a slight displacement of the spinal disc and the appearance of a crack in the fibrous ring of the spine.
- Osteochondrosis 2 degreesThe lummmmous spine is manifested by a feeling of chronic fatigue and discomfort and reducing the capacity to carry loads.Pain and discomfort ("goosebumps", cold sensitivity, etc.) in the lumbar region become permanent satellites of patients;Sometimes spasmodic contractions of the muscles located under the affected area - the gluteal, femur and spine - occur.There may also be a partial reduction in sensitivity or, conversely, the appearance of neuralgia, which is difficult to relieve conventional painkillers due to its neurogenic nature.When exercised, there is acute pain, the so -called."Shots".A sense of stiffness occurs in cases where you have to sit in one position for at least 10-15 minutes and is especially pronounced after a sleep or work day.For this stage, conservative treatment is still effective - the disease responds well to therapy, stable remission without acute periods of illness can be achieved for many months.
- Osteochondrosis 3 degreesThe lummmmate spine is already a complex disease that is characterized by the gradual destruction of the tissue of nearby fibrous rings and insoluble pain.Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine reach their peak, reducing the ability to work and lead to damage.This stage is dangerous due to the appearance of intervertebral hernias and other irreversible changes in the spine that can affect large nerves and vessels.At this stage, severe functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system and significant limitation of mobility, to paralysis and parasel, may already occur.Stage 3 of lumbar osteochondrosis significantly affects the quality and life expectancy and may require additional support when walking (such as a cane).
A number of experts also distinguish stages 4 and 5, where there are cartilage features in the 4th, and the 5th is considered incompatible with life, but with timely changes in treatment and lifestyle, such cases are rare in practice.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
The exacerbation of the disease can be caused by infectious or colds, stress, hormonal disorders, weight gain, pregnancy, age -related changes, body intoxication, fatigue, dehydration, hypovitaminosis, smoking, high physical activity, inconvenient diet, uncomfortable.At the same time, osteochondrosis is characterized by constant microtraumatization - sometimes damage to the lower back does not require bruising, but too much slope, twist or lifting of the legs is sufficient.
Therefore, chondroprotectors for lumbar osteochondrosis are included in the compulsory preventive course, in addition to the administration of multivitamin complexes, immunomodulators and gymnastic exercises.It is also advisable, if possible, to eliminate or compensate the above mentioned factors.
How to treat lumbar osteochondrosis
The question of how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine - with medicines or medicine therapy - cannot be answered unequivocally.The treatment of the disease is performed in several directions:
- Elimination of symptoms that reduce the quality of life of the patient;
- partial regeneration of connective tissue;
- Implementation of a preventative program that prevents the progression of destructive processes in cartilage and bone tissue (maintaining a muscle corset, common tone, etc.).
Cartilage is devoid of nerve endings and blood vessels - this determines the specificity of the diagnosis and treatment of osteochondrosis.First, cartilage cannot harm and therefore the self-diagnosis of the disease is difficult and most patients turn to an orthopedist or vertebrae, who already has a lumbar osteochondrosis of the second or 3rd degrees.The more the destruction of the cartilage, the more great stress the already worn discs, the more the disease progresses and the more difficult it is to achieve positive changes.The reason for this lies in the fact that the cellular recovery of cartilage occurs very slowly - the nutrition of the tissue occurs mainly in a diffuse way.Therefore, the overall improvement in the patient's condition plays an important role on the path to remission.Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis necessarily includes a diet that supports medicines for 1-3 months, as well as special gymnastic exercises.In exercise, a separate heating time is distributed, which stimulates the nutrition of adjacent tissues and therefore cartilage.The warming must alternate between the episodes of exercise, be it sitting on the computer or walking.
Sometimes the doctor may prescribe the wearing of compression devices - such as corsets, dressings to keep the spine in the correct position.This measure is effective for concomitant postural disorders.
Treatment of the drug of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Medicines for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include oral and external anti -inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, analgesics, chondroprotectors, as well as drugs to improve metabolism (B and others vitamins) and blood circulation, glucocorticosteroids, neurotransmitters, neurotransmitters, neurotransmitters, neurotransmitters, neurotransmitters, neurotransmitters, neurotransmitters.Immunomodulators are used with reduced immunity and sensitivity to infectious diseases.Continuous pain can lead to depression, which also requires treatment.If the patient suffers from convulsions or swelling, anticonvulsants and diuretics are also prescribed.Lumbar osteochondrosis tablets, suspensions, injections, gels and applicators do not need to be used permanently - usually the doctor prescribes an individual course for maintenance at significant intervals.In the acute phase, with extremely severe pain, a specialist can put the so -called.Paravertebral block - an anesthetic injection at the place where the nerve root comes out of the spine.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy and massage are effective both in the acute form of the disease and in remission, remaining the most successful methods of conservative treatment.They help to improve nutrition and blood supply in problem areas, improve muscle support of the spine, help to relax the back and stabilize the condition.Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis includes sessions of shock therapy wool, electrophoresis, mud and paraffin baths, hot stones therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic baths and more.Therapeutic exercise for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occupies a special place - like a massage, it involves mainly stretching the stretching of the bar column designed to press the nerve roll.For example, grip during rotation can change the angle of the spine curvature during lordosis, which reduces pain.
Therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine should take into account the presence of excess weight and other diseases and injuries, gender and age and pain characteristics.The best effect is achieved with constant exercise.
With advanced osteochondrosis, the neurosurgeon can find indications of surgical treatment - microdiscectomy or the installation of an expandable titanium implant.
Asked how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine should be answered by a doctor in all cases without exception.Self -medication and lack of complete diagnosis lead to incorrect determination of the boundaries of the pathological process and its stage and as a result of this improper treatment program.In some cases, there is even a deterioration in the condition caused by the improper performance of therapeutic exercises, unprofessional selection of painkillers and NSAIDs.By clarifying the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with your doctor.
You can start taking the chondroprotector Artracam - this home medicine improves metabolic processes and prevents more deformation of cartilage, and with complex treatment even demonstrates positive dynamics and increases cartilage tissue without injection!