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Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the lower back is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system. It is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joint and bone tissue. Lumbar osteochondrosis implies that tissue damage has occurred precisely in the lumbar and sacrum, so the patient will experience the corresponding symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine causes a person considerable discomfort. It affects not only the condition of the back but also the lower extremities negatively. About how to treat osteochondrosis of the lower back, consult 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.

Treatment of high quality osteochondrosis is performed in the hospital. There are specialists who specialize in eliminating this problem.

back pain with lumbar osteochondrosis

Lumbar osteochondrosis: causes

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral area is considered to be a disease of the elderly. Recently, however, lumbosacral osteochondrosis has been increasingly diagnosed in adolescents (aged 25-30 years). This is because many young 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. Combined with inappropriate nutrition, the predominance of fast food, this leads to a deterioration of the condition of not only the spine but also 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 thoroughly known, but there are provocative factors whose presence significantly increases the likelihood of developing osteochondrosis. These include:

  • sedentary work;
  • curvature of posture
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • excessive stress on the spine (professional sports, regular weight lifting, hard physical work);
  • overweight;
  • back injuries;
  • age (over the years, the tissues of the spine undergo natural aging and thinning);
  • inflammatory diseases of the joints (arthritis, osteoarthritis, scoliosis, etc. );
  • diseases accompanied by metabolic disorders;
  • Unhealthy lifestyle;
  • hereditary disposition.

Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms

At an early stage, it is quite difficult to identify lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Symptoms and treatment of the disease depend on the extent of the damage to the tissues of the back. Signs of osteochondrosis of the lower back appear gradually, beginning with minor discomfort and in advanced cases the appearance of acute pain. It is impossible to delay the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. With the development of the disease, the symptoms will only intensify, causing the person more discomfort. In a severe acute period, it hurts a person to get up on their own, so it is necessary to immediately treat lumbar osteochondrosis. The symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • pain in osteochondrosis of the lower back is the most marked sign of pathology. They can gradually build up and become stronger during movements (bending or lifting weights). As the disease progresses, the intensity of pain will increase, and during an attack of acute osteochondrosis it will be unbearable;
  • violation of mobility in the lower back. Pathological processes in the spine affect the ability to perform movements of this department: it is difficult for a person to bend, turn to the sides, sit with a smooth back;
  • dislocation of the lower extremities. There is a violation of gait, numbness, tingling, a feeling of "goosebumps", muscle weakness occurs in the legs;
  • the pallor of the skin is noted, which is associated with a violation of the 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 depend directly on the degree of osteochondrosis: the intensity of the manifestations of the disease increases with the progression of the dystrophic process, which is important to consider when designing a course of treatment.

Lumbar intervertebral osteochondrosis is classified as follows:

  1. osteochondrosis in the 1st degree of the lumbar spine is manifested by slight discomfort in the lower back. They can occur after strenuous physical exertion or a long working day. A person may feel pain in the back or buttocks area as well as a tingling sensation in the lower back;
  2. osteochondrosis in the 2nd degree of the lower back feels more pronounced. At grade 2, the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc begins. The distance between the vertebrae narrows or extends, and the intervertebral disc begins to extend beyond the vertebrae. Compression of the nerve roots in the spine occurs, which is manifested in significant pain in the lower back, which is reflected in the area of the buttocks, thighs and lower legs. The person may also feel a burning sensation or cold in the lower back;
  3. osteochondrosis in the 3rd degree of the lumbar region is characterized by the final destruction of the annulus fibrosus. The contents of the intervertebral disc come out - a hernia forms. The nerve roots are compressed more strongly, an inflammatory process occurs, which is accompanied by severe constant pain in the lower back;
  4. osteochondrosis in the 4th degree of the lumbar region is accompanied by complete atrophy of cartilage and pathological spread of the vertebrae. This is a compensatory response from the body to violation of the intervertebral disc. At this stage, the pain usually goes away, but this indicator does not indicate an improvement in the condition. Spreading of vertebrae significantly affects the mobility of the spine and can lead to disability.

Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment of exacerbation

Exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lower back can be triggered by a sharp movement, weight lifting, hypothermia. Acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis may increase gradually or occur suddenly. Most often, exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by acute severe pain. During an attack, muscle spasms occur in the lower back and thoracic spine, disrupting the movement of the back to prevent increased pain. Pain in the acute period extends to the area of the buttocks and legs, which is communicated by nerve fibers with the affected area of the spine. A person is forced to assume a certain position and not change it (usually this is a horizontal position with a bent sore leg). Even minor movements, such as coughing, can cause a new bout of pain.

A worsening of osteochondrosis of the lower back, if treatment is to be started immediately, may last for several days or weeks (depending on how quickly appropriate treatment was started). In a specialized hospital, acute osteochondrosis is treated immediately after the patient's treatment. The inpatient department at the hospital is open 24 hours a day, so the patient can get help at any time. To relieve acute pain, blockades are performed - the introduction of a painkiller in the affected area, which contributes to a significant improvement of the condition. After elimination of the acute period, the main course of treatment is started.

Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and diagnosis

Treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis begins with diagnosis. It is necessary to find out if this is true osteochondrosis and what is the extent of tissue damage. Lumbar spine osteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-ray. The image clearly shows the condition of intervertebral discs and vertebrae. The doctor specifies the location 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.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is performed 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 correctly identify the patient's disorder. The results of the diagnosis will determine how neurologists and physiotherapists will treat lumbar osteochondrosis.

Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medications

After the diagnosis, each patient is interested in the question "How is osteochondrosis cured in the lumbar spine? " Treatment of osteochondrosis in the lumbosacral area will be complex and will consist of medication and physiotherapy. At the hospital, each component of the treatment is determined by the appropriate specialist based on the individual characteristics of the patient. Symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine allow you to choose the most optimal treatment that will be most effective.

Medical treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis includes several types of drugs, each of which performs its own function:

  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: relieve pain and inflammation;
  • painkillers: relieves severe pain that the former group of drugs can not cope with;
  • muscle relaxants: relieve muscle spasms;
  • chondroprotectors: stop the degenerative process, promote regeneration of tissue in the spine;
  • vitamin complexes: normalizes nerve conduction, improves the body's protective properties.

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

Lumbar osteochondrosis: treatment with physiotherapy

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine includes a course of physiotherapy. It is also an important part of treatment, as is drug therapy. Some patients are interested in how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis without physical therapy. But only with the use of drugs will it not be possible to eliminate the disease. Medication will alleviate the pain, which comes back anyway and quickly enough.

At the hospital, physiotherapy of osteochondrosis is performed in the rehabilitation department by qualified specialists. The patient is prescribed a rehabilitation course taking into account his abilities and needs. Physiotherapy includes:

  • massage for osteochondrosis of the lower back;
  • back stretch;
  • physiotherapy exercises;
  • reflexology (acupuncture);
  • hardware exposure methods (electrophoresis, amplipulse, phonophoresis, etc. ).

Only by using complex treatment can osteochondrosis be cured. Low back pain usually disappears within a few days after starting treatment (depending on the degree of the disease). However, this is not a reason to stop the course of treatment. To achieve the best result and rule out a rapid recurrence of pathology, it is necessary to carry out a full course prepared by specialists. Using effective treatment methods, professional physicians achieve a significant improvement in the patient's condition, which enables him to return to a satisfying life.