Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic change in cartilage that occurs due to the aging and adverse external exposure processes.Most often it occurs in intervertebral discs, so the most common species of osteochondrosis are lumbar, cervical and thoracic.Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region leads to the onset of pain and curvature of the spine, so you should start high quality and qualified treatment as soon as possible.In the article we will look at the main symptoms and methods for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Illness
Lumbar osteochondrosis is characterized by dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs(Thinning, deformation, loss of elasticity).As a result, pain occurs, performance and mobility are lost.No person is protected from the disease.The human spine is constantly experiencing a vertical load.Adverse factors (sedentary lifestyle, excessive physical activity) only aggravate the situation.A certain percentage of people after 30-35 years begins to experience discomfort in the lumbar region.
The reasons for the development
There are many factors that can cause osteochondrosis.Most often, the disease occurs due to predisposition and uneven loading of the spine.In addition, the causes of dystrophic changes in cartilage are: Become:
- Sedentary;
- presenceScoliosis;
- Mild muscle tone;
- constantStress;
- lack of micro and macronutrients in nutrition;
- ProfessionalGreat sportsS
The presence of the above factors in a person's life significantly increases the likelihood of osteochondrosis even at the relatively young age.
Symptoms
The main symptom of the disease is pain in the lumbar region.The following manifestations occur depending on the lesion stage:
- The first stage-a complete absence of signs, fatigue may occur;
- The second stage- periodic lower back pain;
- The third stage- constant pain, curvature and the onset of hump;
- The fourth stage- Expressed pain syndrome for any movement, displacement of the vertebrae.
Osteochondrosis is quite easy to determine through the main symptom.If a person occurs periodically having pain in the lower back, you should see a doctor.
At the fourth stage of the disease, one can completely lose the working capacity and become a disabled person.
Diagnostics
Hardware examinations and diagnostic tests are used to identify the disease.First, the doctor conducts a visual examination and testing.It is important to exclude diseases with similar symptoms.To determine the degree of damage:
- MRI;
- X -ray;
- Ct.
After examining and conducting various tests, a preliminary diagnosis is made.Using a hardware examination, it is possible to accurately identify the cause of the malaise.The first stage osteochondrosis can only be detected using calculated or magnetic resonance images.
Reflex Lacega
Lacega Reflex is a symptom that is detected only with neurological and dystrophic pathologies of the spine.The presence of a reflex of the bearings is determined by the neuropathologist.This happens as follows: one accepts the position to lie down;The doctor raises the upright leg up.If a person has more than 30 degrees when lifting a leg, pain occurs, then the test is considered positive.No special devices are required for the test, so it is performed even during the initial examination.
Correctly conduct a test to identify the symptom of Lazaga only a doctor.Using this test, you can almost determine the area of damage.
Knee reflex
This sample is almost always carried out at initial inspection.The essence of the reflex is that if a person is pressed from upright knees to a flat surface, he or she has a pain syndrome.It is worth noting that this test is not always positive for dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, but it does not require much time to spend.With a positive result, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis of osteochondrosis.
Hardware
Hardware examinations are the most effective in diagnosing osteochondrosis.A computer or magnetic resonance imaging is used.The lumbar region's X -Ray study will also help to diagnose.These methods will allow you to evaluate the degree of damage and the distance between the vertebrae.In addition, their help can be diagnosed complications that often occur during illness (hernia, curvature).
Treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis should be complicated.When therapy, you should adhere to the following principles:
- exclusion of provocative factors;
- Elimination of related pathologies;
- elimination of inflammation;
- Stimulating cartilage recovery.
The success of treatment depends not only on the doctor but also on the person.It will be necessary to monitor the regimen, to engage in physiotherapy exercises, to go to physiotherapy.Some of the drugs are only used in the acute period.
During therapy, it is necessary to exclude the vertical loads of the spine, as this may impair the pathology.
Medication
Medicines are used in the acute period of course of the disease.The main task is to get rid of pain and inflammation.For this, medicines in the form of ointments, injections and tablets can be used.The following medicines are used:
- analgesics;
- non -steroidal anti -inflammatory;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- Vasodilators.
Specific drugs are chosen by the doctor.Injection of NSAIDs into the affected area will help quickly relieve pain.Chondroprotectors will contribute to stopping dystrophic changes and will start the recovery process.With the help of medicines you can effectively fight osteochondrosis only from the first and second stages, more complex treatment methods are used for more complex cases.
Physiotherapy procedures
Physiotherapy helps to get rid of mild pain and consolidate the result of medication treatment.The following procedures apply:
- phonophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- vibration impact;
- Dutoenzor-Terapy.
Most procedures can only be performed during remission.The moment when the use of physiotherapy is mostly determined by the doctor.In order to achieve the therapeutic effect, you should regularly visit the physiotherapy office.At least 7-10 procedures are required to achieve a constant improvement.
Manual therapy
With the help of manual therapy, it is possible to get rid of stiffness, muscle cramps and pain.The direct effect on the affected area with your hands allows you to create conditions for the rapid recovery of the spine.In osteochondrosis, it is possible to remove the load that may occur due to incorrect stand.The management specialist acts on the lumbar and the entire back with massage movements.The effect of manual therapy is noticeable after several procedures.
Manual therapy should only be performed by a qualified specialist who has all the necessary certificates.The wrong effect on the spine will worsen the situation.
Medical physical education
A person with osteochondrosis should strive to adjust the posture and strengthen the muscle corset.The LFK complex can be used during remission.The following exercises can be performed:
- Knee and take the accent lying down.Do the head and bend the lower back, then lower your head, returning to its original position.Repeat 8-10 times.
- Lie on your back.Alternatively bend your legs in the knee joint.Repeat 10-12 times.
As the muscles are strengthened, the load can increase.Static exercises can be used to strengthen the lumbar muscles.A specific complex is chosen based on the individual characteristics of a person and the degree of osteochondrosis lesion.Once you have achieved constant remission, you should continue to deal with physical education.This is one of the best prevention of the disease.
Folk recipes
Various natural compresses can be used to relieve pain and inflammation.Among the most effective recipes are emphasized:
- Compress from mustard and vodkaSIt will require 50 g of dry mustard, 100 ml of vodka and 50 ml of alcohol in Campare.The components are mixed and insisted for 10 hours.The rag is moistened in the resulting liquid and applied to the affected area for 20-25 minutes 2 times a day.The course of treatment is 7-10 days.
- Compressing raw potatoes and honeySClean and grind the potatoes, then mix it with honey.Place the resulting consistency on the lumbar region, cover with polyethylene and repair it.The compress is stored for 30-45 minutes.
Heating compresses will help you get rid of pain.Sustainable improvement is possible when combined with other treatments.
Surgery
Surgical intervention is an exceptional measure that is used in the case of irreversible tissue changes.Using the surgery, the cause of the pain is eliminated.Most often, discoctomy is performed during which the intervertebral disc, compressing the nerve, is partially or completely eliminated.A specific type of surgery is selected individually.It is worth noting that it is quite difficult to perform any surgery on the spine.
The therapeutic effect of single surgery is not always achieved.If a person is pulling with treatment for a long time, several surgeries may be required.
Prevention
One can easily prevent or stop the development of osteochondrosis using prevention.The following actions will be required:
- useorthopedic mattresses and pillows;
- Follow the stand, especially with a sedentary lifestyle;
- useExercise therapy;
- Participate in swimming;
- Balanced to eat;
- Visit the massage therapistS
It will also be necessary to regularly undergo preventive exams using modern hardware methods.And with a predisposition to osteochondrosis, it is desirable not to participate in heavy sports.This applies to the prevention of not only osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, but also the inter -aged osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.
Possible complications
First, osteochondrosis worsens from severe pain.During the development of the disease, the distance between the vertebrae decreases.In the end, this leads to pinching of nerve syndrome and acute pain.In addition,The following complications may occur:
- convexity;
- intervertebral hernias;
- impaired blood supply to the spinal cord;
- Paralysis.
The earlier a person starts treatment, the less likely it is to encounter any complications of osteochondrosis.The most dangerous are the convexity of the cervical osteochondrosis, but that does not mean that in the lumbar region they are less dangerous.
Conclusions
- Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease in which the elasticity and mobility of the spine discs are lost.
- The disease is started against the background of low activity, severe scoliosis or due to an unbalanced diet.
- With a competent therapeutic approach, you can completely stop the development of dystrophic changesSHowever, severe forms of the disease are treated by surgery.
- For prevention, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor the stand and avoid heavy loads.
- If you start the course of the disease,There is a risk of serious complications to paralysisS