Lumbar osteochondrosis is a deformity of the spine in the lumbar region. The disease affects the intervertebral discs, cartilage, spinal roots and nerve fibers and causes back pain.
CMRT clinics have specialized in conservative treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis for more than 10 years. The centers are equipped with modern professional equipment for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and rehabilitation. Experienced specialists apply an individual approach, making a series of therapeutic measures aimed at fighting pathology at all stages.
Important!
Accurate diagnosis, determination of the cause and nature of the disease, and only a qualified doctor during an internal examination can prescribe an effective treatment.
Causes
The main cause of the disease is improper load distribution on the musculoskeletal system. This usually happens when you are walking in high heels, carrying a bag on one side, in an uncomfortable sleeping position or in a sedentary job. The elderly, pregnant women, newborns, professional athletes and office workers are at risk.
Other causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- injuries, bruises, broken arms, legs, spine
- damage to organs of the musculoskeletal system
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which cause a lack of nutrients
- body tension during prolonged exercise
- psychoemotional disorders
- blood flow disorders in the spinal column
- inflammation of the musculoskeletal system
- infections of internal organs and vertebrae
- joint stiffness, disc displacement
- protrusions and intervertebral hernias
- severe intoxication
- metabolic disorders
- posture curvature
- sedentary lifestyle
- dehydration
- unbalanced diet
- lack of calcium and oxygen
- excess weight
- bad habits
- age changes
- joint diseases
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The intensity and nature of symptoms depends on the stage of the disease. The earlier the patient discovers the signs of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the more effective the treatment will be.
General symptoms:
- severe pain in the lower back, which can radiate to the legs, internal organs of the abdomen and pelvis
- pain in kidneys and sacrum
- fatigue and tension in the lower back and sacral spine
- Difficulty in moving, walking, bending and turning the body
- occasional back pain
- rapid fatigue after a light load
- crunching in the back, reduced mobility, pain at rest
- numbness of limbs
- muscle spasms and cramps
- dizziness
- weakness and loss of strength
- decreased muscle tone and sensitivity
In men and women, the manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis may differ. Men may have problems with potency. Women suffer more often from pain in the pelvic area. When the deformed spine cannot fully support the back, the uterus and appendages experience additional loads and sometimes move out of their normal physiological position.
Varieties
The classification of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consists of several variants of the disease. According to the type of pain syndrome, they differ:
Lumbago. acute symptom. Expressed by sharp lumbago and inability to move. It occurs in muscle spasms, injuries, pinched discs and nerve roots.
Lumbargia. It is characterized by long-lasting aching pain caused by hernias, protrusions, spondyloarthrosis, sprains and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Sciatica. Syndrome of strong pain in the lumbosacral region, which spreads to the pelvis. The pain spreads to the sciatic nerve, preventing normal bending and extension of the body, preventing painless sitting and standing.
Discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis and radiculopathy are also different.
Discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by loss of sensation and numbness not only in the painful back, but also in the legs, buttocks, thighs and lower abdomen. Sometimes the body temperature rises, weakness, urinary incontinence occurs, the patient loses weight.
Radiculopathy is expressed by numbness of the nerve roots and a decrease in the person's motor abilities. Signs - tingling or pain in the entire lower part of the body, impaired reflexes, reduced tone of muscles and joints of the extremities.
Stages of development of lumbar osteochondrosis
Doctors monitor the dynamics of the pathology in four stages:
First. The symptoms are almost invisible - they are diagnosed on an X-ray. The stage begins with pathological processes in the pulp cavity of the parched disc and microcracks in the fibrous ring.
A second. The height of the intervertebral discs decreases, due to which the vertebrae are closely spaced. This causes the vertebrae to slip and move, which is accompanied by pain during movement.
Third. It is characterized by stiffness, instability, numbness of the body in the coccyx, lower back and sacrum. This can be explained by bulging vertebrae, protrusions, joint dislocations and arthrosis in the spine.
Fourth. The most difficult degree. It disrupts the functions of the spinal column and forms bone growths (osteophytes). The growths can compress nerves or damage the integrity of the vertebrae.
Consequences of lumbar osteochondrosis
- Excessive accumulation of salt in the body
- development of hernia, protrusion, prolapse of vertebrae and discs
- chronic sciatica
- paresis and paralysis of the legs
Diagnostics
An orthopedist, osteopath, neurologist, rheumatologist, chiropractor and surgeon can diagnose lumbar osteochondrosis and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system. An accurate diagnosis can be made after:
- X-ray of the spinal column showing the condition of bone, cartilage and muscle tissue, as well as ligaments and tendons.
- Myelography is the study of cerebrospinal fluid using dye. With its help, the nerve roots of the spinal cord are studied and evaluated.
For a more detailed examination, doctors use CT and MRI. You can get a diagnosis in the network of CMRT clinics.
We also recommend undergoing plasma therapy and pharmacopuncture procedures. Manual therapy and osteopathy services, exercise therapy are recommended for maintaining health.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
The neurologist deals with the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine. The standard treatment regimen looks like this: the doctor makes a diagnosis, determines the degree of development of the disease and identifies complications. With this in mind, he chooses a treatment method - conservative or surgical.
Physiotherapy
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the spine is carried out in an equipped room under the supervision of a doctor. Classes are performed when remission occurs and the patient does not suffer from pain. The doctor monitors the patient's condition during physical activity, if pain or discomfort appears, he corrects the exercise or cancels it.
Each class of therapeutic gymnastics takes place in several stages. During the warm-up, the patient performs light exercises that warm up the muscles and spread the blood. In the main part - exercises for the affected spine. Finally, a relaxing stretch.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy procedures are performed to relieve pain, improve circulation and tissue nutrition, and reduce inflammation. Patients are most often prescribed:
- electrophoresis, which helps to reduce the neurological manifestations of the disease
- diadynamic therapy with the influence of currents of different intensity, which effectively alleviate even severe pain
- ultrasound therapy with exposure along the affected spine
- magnetotherapy with an alternating magnetic field
In order to achieve the best effect, the patient is prescribed a complex of several physiotherapy procedures.
Kinesiology taping
A cotton patch with hot glue is used for anesthesia. There are specific types of therapeutic applications for neck, chest, back and joint pain.
Injections for lumbar osteochondrosis
In case of lumbar osteochondrosis, the doctor can prescribe the following injections for the treatment of the patient:
- chondroprotectors protect cartilage tissue from further destruction, slow down the development of dystrophic disorders
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation, have antipyretic and analgesic effects, reducing swelling in the focus of inflammation
- vitamin complexes restore blood circulation in the affected areas, accelerate the restoration of nerve fibers, improve the condition of the organism as a whole
Injections can only be prescribed by a doctor, because the treatment method has contraindications. For example, many medicines are prohibited for people suffering from allergies, pregnant and lactating women.
Drug treatment
Doctors try to avoid this method of treatment, but in extreme cases they prescribe the following drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region:
- analgesics have only an analgesic or additional anti-inflammatory effect
- antispasmodics relieve muscle spasms, due to which the pressure on the nerve endings stops, and the pain subsides
- vasodilatory drugs improve blood microcirculation, help reduce the recovery time of the spine after treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment with tablets is carried out separately or in combination with injections. For example, a certain drug is prescribed in the form of tablets, and if it is not effective enough, it is prescribed in the form of injections.
Surgical intervention
Surgery is a radical measure, used only in severe cases. During the operation, the doctor completely removes the cause of the pain and stabilizes the spine.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
- Create a moderate schedule of sports and exercise
- take breaks at work every hour for 5-7 minutes
- sleep on a flat surface or buy an orthopedic mattress
- wear comfortable shoes that fit you
Which doctor to contact
A neurologist makes an accurate diagnosis, prescribes treatment and, if necessary, corrects it. If the disease is accompanied by severe pain or disturbances in the work of internal organs, it may be necessary to consult other specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to provide help during acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis?
A patient with back pain should be helped to a comfortable position in which the pain subsides. After that, you should consult a doctor.
Is it possible to do physical exercises with lumbar osteochondrosis?
In the acute period, physical exercises are contraindicated, the patient must adhere to bed rest. When the pain disappears, the patient should do exercise therapy - perform general strengthening exercises. They must be chosen by a doctor. At the same time, it is important to monitor your condition during physical activity. If any exercise causes pain, it is important to limit its intensity or eliminate it.