Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: signs and treatment

Osteochondrosis is probably one of the leading positions in the modern series of problems of the musculoskeletal system.A 21st century man is not able to completely normalize his physical activity, and this is the main cause of disorders in the activity of the functioning of his skeleton.

Leg pain, complaints of muscle fatigue, reduction of activity and noticeable deterioration of quality of life - far from all discomfort.At X -ray and MRI, changes in the integrity of the intervertebral discs are obviously noticeable.

Changes in the integrity of intervertebral discs

How the spine suffers

The ridge absorbs maximum body weight pressure during movements.Both inactive and excessive loads (such as weight loss) are equally harmful to the two most important substances of the spine - bone and cartilage.

Particularly solid loads are forced to withstand the lower sections of the neck and lumbosacral spine.When the spine is overloaded, the load distribution is incomplete.As a result, cervical osteochondrosis or osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine may occur.The symptoms and treatment of the latter should be considered more detailed.

The lumbar vertebrae are large and wide, connected to each other less moving than the vertebrae of the chest or cervical region.The sacrum is formed by the vertebrae with flexible vertebrae, which are equipped with protection - intervertebral cartilage discs.They compensate for strokes and stretching while walking and moving significant objects.

Disk destruction is the cause of the pain

The wheels between the vertebrae have a structure that resembles a very tightly, elastic jelly.This is a variety of cartilage.For proper functioning, it must be well equipped with liquids and nutrients.Any vascular changes lead to drainage of the peripheral part of the disc - the fibrous ring, and then its central section - the pulpulated nucleus.

If the fibrous ring breaks, a hernia is formed in its place, which presses the roots of the nerves extending from the spinal segment, overlaps the flow of blood and normal innervation.Vascular changesSuch anatomical signs of lumbar osteochondrosis are not harmless, therefore it will not work to cure lumbar osteochondrosis from a single click or just drinking a pill.

Doctors are the alarm

Medical statistics say that about 80% of the capable population already knows what osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is.These patients are treated at home themselves.Less than half of them are decided to please doctors.Meanwhile, delay is dangerous to health as it is necessary to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar region in the early stages, when its effect can still be offset.

Because the damage mainly affects the fibrous (cartilage) disk substance, the disease is sometimes called intervertebral osteochondrosis.If osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is able to develop, then soon pathological changes in cartilage tissue will be supplemented by the destruction of the bone segments of the spine.

The innervation of the lower parts of the body depends on the lumbar and sacral nerves, so the signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are mainly associated with pain.Even the strongest and most reliable vertebrae on the lower back can fail.And the pain will be felt in the legs and back.

In the same part of the skeleton is placed the largest nerve - buttock.Sciatica is a neuralgic disease, inflammation of this nerve.The first cause of sciatica often becomes precisely osteochondrosis of the lower spine.

Recognition and diagnostics

The patient rarely goes to the doctor immediately, while the pain can still be withstood - this is the mentality of a working citizen.Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in women and men are no different except when innervation is impaired.In women - uterus and appendages, there are sexual dysfunction in men.

The destruction of cartilage can only be located in the lumbar region or only in the sacrum.The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine and sacral osteochondrosis (symptoms) can be distinguished by radicular symptoms: disorders of the roots of the spinal cerebral nerve lead to the occurrence of problems in the organs that this nervous control controls.

With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, it is customary to consider lumbar syndrome: acute lower back pain, back pain.The legs also hurt, there is a change in gait, skin sensitivity and muscle numbness.

If the pressure of the roots leads to inflammation, then swelling develops.Against the background of intoxication, muscles, joints, connections begin sharply, with physical activity.Patients also complain of increased sweating.

Osteochondrosis of the sacral spine is determined by the problems of the pelvis (for example, impaired functions of the perineum muscles, including the penis in men; difficulties with bowel movements and urination).

More often, the symptoms are mixed and we talk about a wider widespread spine lesion, which will be determined in the medical file such as osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.The treatment is very individual, as the signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine are varied in any therapeutic case.

When the blood vessels are compressed, the blood supply to the muscles is impaired.Walking is accompanied by the lame and frequent relaxation stops.The muscles of the thigh, perineum, buttocks do not receive nutrition.This is described in medical practice as an ischemic syndrome for lumbar osteochondrosis.

Doctor

If the neurological and ischemic signs, accompanied by pain in too long, affect the patient, then the deformity of the skeleton begins with the constant forced posture and spasm of the muscles.And not only the spine, but also the limbs.The mosque and the familiar poses and the gait change.Osteochondrosis is not quickly treated and a doctor's visit is a mandatory measure to successfully overcome the disease.

Whether it is sacral or lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms should be evaluated in complete and professional, not relying on your own logic or opinion on kissing grandmothers.And the treatment is better to trust professional professionals.

Medical diagnostic methods

By suspecting osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the symptoms of which are given in the previous paragraph, the patient can independently take the diagnosis.But the professional diagnosis is not limited to questions about well -being.The doctor carefully palpates the painful areas around the spine and detects the localization of the problem.During this part of the examination, the Consequences of osteochondrosis Are revealed: Kyphosis (Vertebral Deformation), Scoliosis (Curvature of the Spinal Column), Lordosis (A Change in the PhysiologMuscles of the Limbs (often Buttocks), Tension, Pain and Discomfort in the Lower Back (Muscle and Bone Tissues).

The X -Ray in two projections determines the structure of each vertebra and detect deformities and growth of the tissues.CT (computed tomography) gives more photos with a slower radiation load.And MRI extends the doctor's capabilities, especially when planning surgical interventions for the treatment of osteochondrosis.

The choice of the method should be made by the doctor depending on the concomitant diseases, as each of the visual methods may be contraindicated in one patient.

The danger of the disease

The spine performs two important functions - maintaining the body in the upright position and control of unconscious body functions and unconditional reflexes.It is not difficult to know how dangerous disorders of his work can be.

Causes and prevention of spinal diseases

Neglecting his health and the first signals of problems lead to a natural result - osteochondrosis of the lumbar region develops, the reasons for which are usually hidden in daily events and conditions:

  • The fact of density is now a risk factor for the lower spine.How long does an ordinary person spend on rest and relaxation?Much less than necessary to restore joints and bones after improper physical activity;
  • To neglect sports exercises and morning exercises for the benefit of official duties is considered a norm.But for the spine, sitting on a computer is crucial;
  • And with exercise and when they work on the computer, patients do not monitor the stand.And the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis are found in such "trifles";
  • The developed flat legs developed in childhood may even go unnoticed, but at the same time it worsens the prognosis and complicates the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis;
  • Problems with weight fluctuations or permanent weight is another risk factor for working, smoking and nervous population.In addition, these related causes of lumbar spine osteochondrosis are no less great than the disease itself.It is advisable to get rid of bad habits before healing osteochondrosis of the lumbar region and never return to smoking or varnish again;
  • Deviations from the norm of hormonal origin (due to the administration of drugs or problems of metabolism) and pathological processes (inflammation) lead to malfunctions of all systems of the body, including muscles and joints.For women's health, they are double destructive.
Working in the utmost will eventually lead to health problems

The regimen of the day, the load on the body is important for measuring with the capabilities of your body both in static and in the dynamics.The constant work of the limit will eventually lead to health problems.And if the history is complicated by heredity, then the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine cannot be completely placed in a long box.

Even small changes to better in the daily life and physical activity of a potential patient can significantly slow down age -related problems with the spine.

The process of destruction: from mild forms to irreparable consequences

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine-complex of various measures depending on the stage of development of the disease:

  1. The passage of the fibrous ring leads to the displacement of the pulpulated nucleus.The deformity is still minimal, but continuously present or spontaneously occurs after a load of pain in the lower back may occur.At this point, consultation of a doctor is sufficient as you can treat lumbar osteochondrosis, practically without changing your habits.
  2. The disc is gradually east and complex.The nerve endings begin to disturb the displacement.The pain intensifies, comes with attacks, redness, sweating, a sense of "coolness" or heat are added to them.According to the patient's stories, the doctor confidently diagnoses osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine.Treatment, the examinations of which are predominantly positive in patients, is reduced to conservative type methods and a significant lifestyle correction.
  3. The large layer is finally punctured in the place of the gap, near the spinal canal, migrates the pulpic nucleus, which ceases to perform its main function (depreciation) usually and now significantly compresses the nerve.The spine is already very noticeably deformed and this does not lend itself to complete correction.In the third stage, osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine, the symptoms complement its symptoms with single or multiple intervertebral hernias.Is osteochondrosis treated at this stage?Yes, but there are significant restrictions.
  4. The disease reaches the most dangerous condition of the fourth stage.The deformities of the spine are already irreversible, the hernia is pronounced, the mobility is finally disturbed and the pain periodically disappears and the significantly limited vital options lead to damage.With this diagnosis - 4 stages, lumbar osteochondrosis - patrin is performed only to stabilize the function of the spine.Full recovery, alas, is no longer possible.
Hernia is pronounced

Lumbar cross osteochondrosis, whose symptoms are initially similar to banal fatigue and overvoltage, can be very dangerous for the patient.Do not try to delay the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis for later in yourself or your loved ones.Insist on the exam and start the fight as soon as possible.

Hazardous consequences of the disease

Forced postures, spasms and movement limitations lead to weight loss and atrophy of muscle fibers.Not only the motor muscles suffer, but also the smooth muscle muscles of the internal organs.The ligaments that are responsible for the tone of the joints are also weakened.Hence the appearance of concomitant pathologies.

Damaged intervertebral discs create problems for women during pregnancy, and sexual dysfunction may develop in men with osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.Any hernia (as a result of convexity) in each part of the spine is the risk of loss of sensitivity or complete paralysis of one or the other part of the body.

One of the unpleasant complications of the disease is spondyl arthrosis - a growth similar to pine bone.Another attack on the same group is spondylosis.These are protrusions and spurs that grow right on the spine!Ischemic syndrome can even threaten a fatal result depending on its location.

Attempts to get rid of osteochondrosis with craft methods can lead to deterioration.The earlier it is possible to start professional treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the better the prognosis.

Of course, all these frightening consequences cause the patient to ask the question: Osteochondrosis is to heal, what to do to minimize its consequences.This is possible if the disease is not started.Only in this case can the fabric of the tissue be restored and again usually maintains the spine.

Professional treatment

We treat the lower back and sacrum

All medicines should be selected by an experienced doctor on the basis of compatibility, not by testing.Patients who have been treated themselves are once forced to see doctors for help.But doctors may not always make the patient healthy again.When the patient is diagnosed with lumbar osteochondrosis, symptoms and treatment are considered in dynamics.It is important to take into account the diseases of the vascular system, nerves, endocrine characteristics and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

With the diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis, treatment should include several points:

  • Permission of static (stuck) and dynamic loads in accordance with the severity of the disease;
  • LFK classes are necessarily with an instructor as it is quite difficult to get rid of the consequences of the disease.The specialist from the outside will appreciate much better muscle stiffness, symmetry and coordination of movements.Daily home gymnastics includes cautious inclinations (deviations) of the case to the right, left, back and forth, walking on fours on a tight surface, stretching the spine behind your own hands (in the lying position);
  • Using medicines allows you to get rid of pain, spasm.Reduce swelling, inflammation and restore the destroyed cartilage.Treatment regimen includes analgesics, NSAIDs (non -steroidal anti -inflammatory), antispasmodic and glucocorticosteroids (all for injections);
  • Manual therapy out of exacerbation.The classic and manual massage is prescribed in the absence of contraindications.With home massage and the request "Go to my back" it is better not to experiment;
  • From time to time - surgery.Some species and manifestations of hernia and convexity require emergency surgery.This allows you to protect the patient from disability and save his life.

It is important that the treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis is systemic and controlled by a doctor.Do not neglect preventive visits and exams - this will help for many years to maintain mobility and good health.