Symptoms and treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis

A significant mass of a person falls on the lower back, and when the load is screwed up, twisted from a long static position, additional stress is created in it. Excessive stress, improper lifestyle constantly leads to the degeneration of the musculoskeletal system: the vertebrae and the discs between them, which act as shock absorbers. From here, it is worth looking for information about lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment. Why does spinal joint degradation occur?

Disintegration of the musculoskeletal system occurs as follows: the natural shock absorber of the spinal column loses its elasticity, shrinks, spreads beyond its natural limit, and the pressure of other vertebrae, organs and ligaments increases. Describe those who are prone to acquire such pathology. In humans with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:

• Whose early generations suffered similar suffering;
• hormonal disorders;
• Individual propensity to develop similar diseases (e. g. , congenital structure of the spine);
• Who neglect proper nutrition. On the table every day you need to get a balanced diet with healthy fats, vitamins, proteins;
• Those who have sedentary work: sit for a long time or stand in one place for a long time;
• Experience sharp and heavy loads on the ridge, such as: weightlifters, loaders, people during gardening;
• Digestive, metabolic, pelvic organ diseases;
• Those who have experienced trauma (pulled their backs too hard, slapped to the side, fell, bent down);
• reached the age of 30;
• Diabetes.

If you have any of the signs of lumbar osteochondrosis described in the following section, you should avoid certain habits:

• slouch;
• smoke;
• stand in a bent position for a long time;
• move a little;
• drink alcohol;
• sit without taking a break from work;
• dress is not suitable for the weather, let the body cool down.

Important. Any abnormality in the tapes can be exacerbated by the presence of excess weight. In case of overweight, the load on the lower body increases and the lumbar region overgrown with fat is heavily massaged.

Stages and signs of the course of the disease

At first, there are periodic mild pains that increase with physical exertion. This discomfort suggests that it is time to pay attention to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. Currently, the intervertebral discs (the spinal disc is the channel through which the spinal cord and the fibrous ring around it) degrade. Furthermore, the distance between the vertebrae decreases and the nerves become constricted. The pains become severe, gripping not only the back but also the hips and buttocks. In the third stage, the fibrous rings are destroyed, leading to the formation of a spinal hernia, an irreversible deflection, and pain is constantly present. The fourth stage leads to disability. The special classification for lumbar spine osteochondrosis includes:

1. pain;
2. ischemic syndrome;
3. radical syndrome;
4. vertebral syndrome;
5. ossification of ingrown tissues.

The sensation of pain is of varying degrees and severity: for example, lumbago is called lumbago; constant, exacerbated by stress, lumbodynia; called lumboschialgia along the lower body. In the case where back diseases are not addressed, the vertebrae gain too much free movement in the spine. With exertion and sudden actions, the nerve roots are compressed and then the pain leaves the lower back but moves to other parts of the body for which the nerve is responsible. Unconsciously, we change the situation, adjusting it so that the pain occurs less in the back, while inevitably the gait and bending of the spine change. All this suggests a radical syndrome that starts as an irritation and then becomes inflamed. Signs of lumbar spine osteochondrosis with radical syndrome:

• The back muscles are too tired;
• change in back curve;
• gait changes;
• swelling of the lower extremities;
• pain in one or both legs;
• severe pain;
• temporary loss of sensitivity of the foot;
• intermittent long constipation;
• men have problems with irritability;
• menstrual disorders in women;
• body poisoning;
• blood stagnation.

You may notice painful feelings during breaks and subside during back exercises. Already at this stage it is worth looking for a doctor: chiropractor, surgeon, neurologist, traumatologist (since trauma is also one of the causes of lumbar spine osteochondrosis). If you let the disease go away, the problem will increase, with the addition of various companions:

1. heat;
2. numbness;
3. sweating;
4. tingling;
5. chills;
6. goosebumps;
7. impotence;
8. intestinal colic.

Back muscles lose their tone, leading to a general loss of human motor function. In the particularly dangerous course of radical syndrome, paralysis occurs. Ischemic syndrome is associated with radical. At first, the squeezing of blood flow is intermittent, but such squeezing leads to seizures. You may notice them while walking normally - it hurts if you stop, it doesn’t hurt. The main breakdown takes place inside and is not visible to the naked eye - blood flow does not provide all the pelvic organs with the necessary care. There may be pain in the buttocks, thighs, and subsequent paralysis of the buttocks. Vertebral syndrome involves changes in the skeleton, the blood vessels themselves.

Important. The symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in women are inextricably linked to the hormonal background, the physiological characteristics of the body. The occurrence of pain and improper posture is influenced by wearing unsuitable shoes: on too hard or too soft soles; corner too high or too low.

Diagnosis of disease stages

Even for a physician, it can be very difficult to classify and name the stage of the disease in an external examination. Initially, a neurologist may diagnose:

1. permanent curvature of the spine;
2. pain on touch;
3. decreased leg travel;
asymmetry of the gluteal zone
4. ;
5. Michaelis diamond exchange.

But the most accurate diagnosis can only be made with the results:

1. computed tomography (CT). The most optimal option is to determine the development of the disease, which allows to assess the stage of spinal decomposition.
2. X-ray. According to them, the presence of the disease can be determined, but it is not always possible to determine the degree of development of damage to nerve fibers and blood vessels.
3. magnetic resonance imaging. It is a rather long (from half an hour to an hour), expensive procedure, which, moreover, provides the most complete details in the process with the nerve roots and blood vessels.

Thus, the physician can ultimately judge only the results of apparatus research on osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: the symptoms and treatment. Low back pain that is not associated with an intervertebral disc abnormality is caused by a cold, cold kidney, menstrual cycle, or back pain.

Important. CT, X-rays are unacceptable for pregnant women. CT is not safe for: 1) children under 14 years of age; 2) people with iodine allergies.

Treatment

The causes and characteristics of the disease have been examined above, now let's move on to the second point of lumbar spine osteochondrosis: the symptoms and the treatment. The longer you ignore the signs of the body, the faster the disease goes on. The further from the beginning, the more medications and procedures need to be used. Purposes of treatment:

1. identify, eliminate the causes of pinching of the roots and veins of the spine;
2. restores skin sensitivity;
3. to prevent further development of the pathology;
4. initiates the body's self-healing processes;
5. enhancing human muscle tone;
6. restores the functioning of the internal organs of the pelvis;
7. restores the normal course of the lumbar vertebrae.

If you experience any discomfort, consult your doctor. The first thing to do for the first symptoms is to pay attention to: a bed (a wide range of orthopedic mattresses to choose from individually), a pillow (your size or softness may not suit you), your sleeping position, your motor activity. At home, without a doctor’s examination, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is treated only with bed rest. Therefore, a doctor's visit is mandatory. Different medications are taken in the acute phase of remission and disease. In the last phase, medications are used to relieve pain, release nerves from the vertebrae, and eliminate inflammation. Prescribe: - blockades; - glucocorticoids; - chondroprotectors; - myo-laxatives; - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The last group of drugs, in addition to pain relief, fights excessive body temperature, edema, inflammation. Such funds can be: rectal, internal use, injection, external. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine most often begins with NSAIDs:

• Diclofenac;
• Piroxicam;
• Ibuppofen;
• himekulid;
• Hapoxi;
• decetoprofen;
• Meloxicam;
• Aceclofenac.

The anti-inflammatory drugs on this list are various ointments, tablets, gels. Some tableted NSAIDs are contraindicated in patients with ulcers or gastritis. This class of drugs includes tizanidine, tolperisone hydrochloride. When it is possible to rescue the intervertebral disc, chondroprotectors are prescribed to restore ring fibrosis. The process of taking such a group of drugs is very long - at least 1, 5 months, and the results are visible only after a year. They try to avoid the appointment of glucocorticoids because they have side effects when taking them, as this group of drugs belongs to steroid hormones. These should be done under the supervision of your doctor, following all prescriptions, as only one specialist knows how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis. An example of such a drug is hydrocortisone. Obstructions are not medications in themselves, but powerful local painkillers. The technique is to introduce an injectable analgesic (IO) or a combination of IO with a drug belonging to the group of glucocorticoids in the field of pain. Blockades do not have medicinal properties, but they can be addictive, losing sensitivity to these drugs. With frequent injections, the muscles around the injection may become atrophied. Therefore, by reducing acute pain with this method of treatment, the patient is prescribed medications aimed at restoring damaged tissues, blood flow, and improving muscle and nerve fiber tone. This is:

1. Chondroprotectors, which have a general strengthening effect on bone tissue, normalize the metabolism of cartilage tissues.
2. Vitamins that help restore nerve patency.
3. Biogenic preparations that stimulate the body to heal;
4. Blood-diluting vascular drugs to improve the nutrition of internal organs.

Antidepressants are prescribed during treatment with the main medication. How to treat lumbar osteochondrosis while reducing acute pain:

1. use warming, analgesic, anti-inflammatory external agents;
2. perform special exercises for the back;
3. goes for a massage;
4. pursues a gentle lifestyle for the back;
5. put on the belt clip during training.

Massage, exercise, physiotherapy and alternative treatments.

Physiotherapy, massage and physiotherapy are relatively inexpensive and effective methods of combating the deterioration of shock absorbers. Real massages can only be performed by a medical professional, so a simple visit to beauty salons is not appropriate for patients. Different pressures and techniques are required at each stage of the disease. With proper therapy, the muscle cramps disappear, the muscle skeleton of the back strengthens, and the pain gradually disappears. Physiotherapy should only be used in the absence or absence of pain relief processes (to maintain vertebral mobility). Gymnastics is selected individually, based on age, human condition, and the stage of development of the disease. The productivity of therapeutic exercises depends directly on the quality and frequency of performance: it must be done systematically. We recommend that you rest at home, lie on your back, bend your legs, place a small roller under the lower back. The healing process is monitored with the help of X-rays and tomographic surveys. Physiotherapy treatments are prescribed during remission and exacerbation. Methods such as:

1. acupuncture. An ancient method of treating pain is based on stimulating acupuncture points with fine needles. The procedure relieves cramps, reduces pain, completely eliminates, reduces tissue edema;
2. ultraviolet radiation, which stimulates the body to absorb calcium;
3. ampilpus, named from the appropriate device. The treatment procedure is as follows: the plates of the device are fixed on the back and the corresponding therapeutic current flows through the plates with different parameters;
4. laser therapy. Laser beams relieve pain, cure, stop inflammation of the lumbar vertebrae;
5. darsonvalization. The method was developed to improve blood circulation, dilate blood vessels, and stimulate nerve endings;
6. phonophoresis treats with ultrasound, stimulating blood flow to the muscle part of the dorsal region.

Each method has its own contraindications. It is more difficult than traditional medicine. Official medicine still does not recognize that midwives ’grandmothers know how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. Therefore, if a friend recommends using compresses made with burdock juice, take coniferous baths, consult your doctor. A method such as hirudotherapy is used for anesthesia, but leeches are hidden behind this name, so doctors recommend that you be careful with this method of treatment.

Surgical Problem Solving

In some cases, this can no longer be done without surgery. In advanced intervertebral hernia, neurosurgeons use microdiscectomy. This will remove the damaged disk. If there are no contraindications, doctors can perform nucleoplasty, which has several benefits:

1. Does not require cuts;
2. The operation may take up to 30 minutes;
3. There are no restrictions on surgical procedures.

Important. To maintain the mobility of the spine, to strengthen the muscles of the back, to do yoga, to swim, to recommend Pilates. Running causes shock on the vertebrae, so jogging should be stopped at the first signs of lower back pain.