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Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system. It is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes of articular and bone tissue. Lumar osteochondrosis means that tissue damage in the lumbar region and sacrum has healed, thereforeThe patient will experience associated symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine gives a person significant discomfort. It negatively affects the condition of not only the back, but also the lower limbs. How to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, you will needNeed to be examined by a specialist - a neurologist or traumatologist. This complex disease should not be treated alone or on the advice of relatives and friends. Self-medication can only aggravate the process and cause even more damage to the spine.

High-quality treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out in the hospital. There are specialists who specialize in eliminating this problem.

Back pain with lumbar osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: causes

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is considered a disease of older people. However, recently, lumbosacral osteochondrosis is increasingly being diagnosed in young people (at the age of 25-30 years). This is due to the fact that manyYoung people lead a sedentary lifestyle and spend a lot of time at the computer. An additional factor is the constant stress that a young person experiences in the modern world. Improper nutrition, along with the predominance of fast food, this is not only the backbone, rather leads to a deterioration in the condition of the whole organism.

Lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine is a type of pathology that is localized in the lumbar region. This is one of the most common types of osteochondrosis. The exact causes of the development of the disease are not completely known, but there are provoking factors, the presence of whichsignificantly increases the likelihood of developing osteochondrosis. Includes:

  • sedentary work;
  • curvature of the currency;
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • excessive stress on the spine (professional sports, regular lifting, hard physical exertion);
  • overweight;
  • back injuries;
  • age (over the years, the tissues of the spine undergo natural aging and thinning processes);
  • inflammatory diseases in the joints (arthritis, arthrosis, scoliosis, etc. );
  • diseases accompanied by metabolic disorders;
  • unhealthy lifestyle;
  • Hereditary tendency.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms

In the early stages, lumbosacral osteochondrosis is quite difficult to identify. Symptoms and treatment of the disease will depend on the extent of damage to the spinal cord tissue. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear gradually, starting with minor discomfort. and in advanced cases, the appearance of acute pain. It is impossible to postpone the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. With the development of the disease, the symptoms will only intensify, causing further discomfort to the person. In a severe acute period, this a persongives pain even to get up, so it is necessary to treat lumbar osteochondrosis immediately. Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • Pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the most important sign of pathology. They can gradually build up, getting stronger during movements (bending or lifting weights). As the disease progresses, the intensity of pain increases. , and during an attack of acute osteochondrosis it becomes unbearable;
  • Violation of the mobility of the lumbar spine. Pathological processes in the spine affect the ability to perform any movement by this department: it is difficult for a person to bend, turn to the sides, sit with an even back;
  • Dislocation of the lower extremities. There is a violation of gait, there is numbness, tingling, a feeling of "goose bumps", muscle weakness in the legs;
  • pallor of the skin is noted, which is associated with a violation of blood supply to the affected area;
  • Sexual dysfunction (possible in severe cases).

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine: symptoms and degrees

There are four degrees by which lumbar osteochondrosis develops. Symptoms and treatment directly depend on the degree of osteochondrosis: the intensity of the manifestations of the disease increases with the progression of the dystrophic process, which should be considered when drawing up a course of therapy. It is important to do

Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is classified as follows:

  1. Osteochondrosis of the first degree of the lumbar spine is manifested by minor discomfort in the lumbar region. They can occur after strenuous physical exertion or a long day at work. A person may feel pain in the back or buttocks region, accompanied byThere may also be a tingling sensation in the lower back itself;
  2. Osteochondrosis of the second degree of the lumbar spine is felt more pronounced. In grade 2, the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc begins. The distance between the vertebrae narrows or expands, and the intervertebral disc begins to protrude from the vertebrae. There is compression of the nerve roots of the spine, which is expressed in significant pain in the lower back, which is reflected in the area of the buttocks, thigh and lower leg. The person may also feel a burning or cooling sensation in the lower backmay;
  3. Osteochondrosis of the third degree of the lumbar spine is characterized by the eventual destruction of the annulus fibrosus. The contents of the intervertebral disc protrude - a hernia is formed. The nerve roots are compressed more strongly, an inflammatory process occurs, which in the lumbar regionis accompanied by severe persistent pain;
  4. Osteochondrosis of the fourth degree of the lumbar spine is accompanied by complete atrophy of the cartilage and pathological proliferation of the vertebrae. This is a compensatory reaction of the body to the infringement of the intervertebral discs. At this stage, the pain usually goes away, however, this indicatorDoes not indicate an improvement in the condition. Proliferation of the vertebrae significantly reduces the mobility of the spine and can cause disability.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment of exacerbations

The exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be triggered by fast movement, lifting, hypothermia. Acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis can gradually increase or appear suddenly. Most often, exacerbations of lumbar osteochondrosis are accompanied by acute pain. Happens withAlong the affected area of the spine are communicated by nerve fibers. A person is forced to take a fixed position and not change it (usually it is a horizontal position with a bent leg). Even small movements, such as coughing, can lead to a new cause of pain.

The exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the treatment of which should be started immediately, can last for several days or weeks (depending on how quickly adequate therapy was started). In a specialized hospital, the treatment of the patientAcute osteochondrosis is treated immediately after. The admission department of the hospital is open round the clock, allowing the patient to get help at any time. To relieve acute pain, a blockade is performed - an analgesic is applied to the affected area. The introduction, which contributes to a significant improvement of the condition. After the elimination of the acute period, the main course of treatment begins.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and diagnosis

Treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis begins with diagnosis. It is necessary to find out whether it is true osteochondrosis, and what is the scale of the tissue damage. Low back osteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-ray. The picture clearly shows the intervertebral discsand will show the condition of the vertebrae. The doctor specifies the localization of the lesion and assesses the degree of development of the disease. If necessary, an additional MRI or CT scan may be prescribed to clarify the details.

Osteochondrosis is diagnosed in the hospital's diagnostic center, which has everything you need for an accurate diagnosis. Experienced staff use modern equipment, which allows you to quickly and accurately identify the patient's disease. The results of the diagnosis will determine how the neurologist and physiotherapist will treat lumbar osteochondrosis.

Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medication

After diagnosis, each patient is interested in the question "How to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine? "The treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region will be complex and will include medication and physiotherapy. In the hospital, each component of the treatment is adapted to the patient's needs. Depending on the individual characteristics is determined by the appropriate specialist. Symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine allow you to choose the most optimal therapy that will be most effective.

Medical treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis includes a variety of drugs, each of which performs its function:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Relieving pain and swelling;
  • pain relievers: relieves severe pain that the previous group of drugs cannot cope with;
  • Muscle relaxants: Relieving muscle spasms;
  • Chondroprotectors: stop the degenerative process, promote the regeneration of spinal tissue;
  • Vitamin complex: normalize nerve conduction, improve the protective properties of the body.

All drugs, their dosage and duration of administration are strictly prescribed by the attending physician.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: treatment with physiotherapy

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine involves a course of physiotherapy. This is also an important part of treatment, just like drug therapy. Some patients are interested in how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine without physiotherapy. , it will not be possible to eliminate the disease with the use of drugs only. The drug will reduce the pain, which will return anyway, and quite quickly.

In the hospital, physiotherapy of osteochondrosis is carried out in the rehabilitation department by qualified specialists. A course of rehabilitation is prescribed to the patient, taking into account his abilities and needs. Physiotherapy includes:

  • massage for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
  • spinal cord strain;
  • physiotherapy exercises;
  • reflexology (acupuncture);
  • Hardware methods of exposure (electrophoresis, amplifiers, phonophoresis, etc. ).

Osteochondrosis can be cured only by applying complex treatments. Lower back pain usually goes away within a few days after starting therapy (depending on the degree of the disease). However, this may prevent the course of treatment. In order to obtain the best result and exclude rapid relapse of the pathology, it is necessary to complete a full course, which is prepared by specialists. Using effective methods of treatment, the professional doctor the patientreceive a significant improvement in his condition, which allows him to return to a full life.