A significant mass of a person falls in the lower back, and when lifting the load, twisting, from a long static position, additional stress is created. Excessive load, a wrong lifestyle constantly leads to the degradation of the musculoskeletal system - the vertebrae and discs between them, which function as shock absorbers. From this point on, it is worth looking for information on osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment. Why does degradation of the spinal joints occur?
The degradation of the musculoskeletal system occurs as follows: the natural shock absorber of the spine loses its elasticity, shrinks, spreads beyond its natural limits, further increases the pressure from other vertebrae, organs, ligaments. We describe those who are prone to acquire such a pathology. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be observed in people:
- Whose early generations suffered from a similar affliction;
- Having hormonal disorders;
- Individual propensity to develop such diseases (for example, congenital structure of the spine);
- Those who neglect proper nutrition. On the table every day a person should be given a balanced diet with healthy fats, vitamins, proteins;
- Those who have a sedentary job: sit for a long time or stand for a long time in the same place;
- To experience a strong and acute load on the spine, for example: weightlifters, loaders, people during garden work;
- Having diseases of digestion, metabolism, pelvic organs;
- Traumatized (pulled too hard on the back, hit from the side, fallen, bent);
- Having reached the age of 30;
- Diabetes.
If there are signs of lumbar osteochondrosis, which are described in the following section, then some habits should be avoided:
- sloppy;
- smoke;
- take a bent pose for a long time;
- move a little;
- drinks alcohol;
- sit without taking breaks at work;
- don't get dressed for the time, let your body cool down.
Important. Any ligament disorders are aggravated by excess weight. With excess weight, the load on the lower body increases and the lumbar region, covered with fat, is massaged heavily.
Stages of the course of the disease, its signs
In the beginning there are periodic mild pains that increase with physical exertion. This discomfort suggests that it is time to pay attention to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. At this time, the intervertebral discs (the spinal disc is the channel through which the spinal cord and the fibrous ring around it) are degrading. In addition, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced, the nerves are pinched. The pains become severe, they grab not only the back, but also the hips, gluteal muscles. In the third stage, the fibrous rings are destroyed, which leads to the formation of a hernia of the spine, irreversible flexion, and pain is constantly present. The fourth stage leads to disability. The special classification of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine includes:
- pain;
- ischemic syndrome;
- radicular syndrome;
- vertebral syndrome;
- ossification of overgrown tissues.
Painful sensations have a different degree and character of severity: low back pain, for example, is called low back pain; constant, aggravated by stress, lombodynia; Diffused along the lower parts of the body they are called lumboischialgia. In the event that back diseases are not addressed, the vertebrae acquire too much freedom of movement in the spine. There is a compression of the nerve roots when lifting loads and abrupt actions, so the pain from the lower back disappears, but moves to other parts of the body, for which the nerve is responsible. Unconsciously, we change position, adjusting so that there is less back pain, but this inevitably changes the gait and flexion of the spine. This all refers to radicular syndrome, which starts as irritation and then becomes inflammatory. Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with radicular syndrome:
- The back muscles are excessively tired;
- change of the return curve;
- pace changes;
- swelling of the lower limbs;
- pain in one or both legs;
- severe pain;
- temporary loss of sensation in the legs;
- periodically long constipation;
- men have problems with excitability;
- menstrual irregularities in women;
- intoxication of the body;
- stagnation of blood.
You may notice that painful sensations arise during breaks and when you do exercises on your back, they subside. Already at this stage it is worth looking for a doctor: a chiropractor, surgeon, neurologist, traumatologist (since the causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include trauma). If you let the disease run its course, the problem will increase, complemented by several companions:
- heat;
- numbness;
- sweating;
- tingling;
- chills;
- goosebumps;
- impotence;
- intestinal colic.
The back muscles lose tone and this leads to a general loss of human motor functions. With a particularly dangerous course of radicular syndrome, paralysis will occur. Ischemic syndrome is associated with radicular. At first, the squeezing of the bloodstream is periodic, but then that squeezing leads to spasms. You can notice them during normal walking: you walk in pain, if you stop, it doesn't hurt. The main degradation occurs inside and is not visible to the naked eye: blood flows do not provide all the pelvic organs with the necessary supply. There may be pain in the buttocks, thighs, and paralysis of the buttock muscles may occur later. Vertebral syndrome includes a change in the skeleton, the blood vessels themselves.
Important. Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in women are inextricably linked with the hormonal background, physiological characteristics of the body. The occurrence of pain, incorrect posture is influenced by the use of unsuitable shoes: on too hard or too soft soles; too high heel or too low heel.
Diagnosis of the stages of the disease
It can be very difficult even for a doctor to classify and name the stage of the disease during an external examination. Initially, a neurologist can diagnose:
- persistent curvature of the spine;
- pain to touch;
- decreased leg travel;
- asymmetry of the gluteal area;
- exchange of the Michaelis diamond.
But the most accurate diagnosis can only be made with the results:
- computed tomography (CT). The most optimal option for determining the degree of development of the disease, which allows you to assess the stage of degradation of the spine.
- X-ray footage. According to them, it is possible to establish the presence of a disorder, but it is not always possible to determine the degree of development of damage to nerve fibers and blood vessels.
- magnetic resonance imaging. Quite long (half an hour to an hour), an expensive procedure, which also provides the most complete details of what is happening to the nerve roots and blood vessels.
So, the doctor can finally judge about osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment only with the results of research on the systems. Low back pain that is not associated with an intervertebral disc disorder is caused by a cold, cold in the kidneys, menstruation, or back pain.
Important. CT and radiographic examinations are unacceptable for pregnant women. CT is not safe for: 1) children under 14; 2) people with an allergy to iodine.
Medical treatment
The causes of the onset of the disease, its features were considered above, now let's move on to the second point of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment. The longer you ignore the body's signals, the faster the disease will go further. The farther from the start, the more medications and procedures will need to be applied. Treatment goals:
- identify, eliminate the causes of pinching of the roots, blood vessels of the spine;
- restores skin sensitivity;
- to prevent further development of the pathology;
- initiates the body's self-healing processes;
- strengthening a person's muscle tone;
- restores the function of the internal organs of the small pelvis;
- returns the normal course of the lumbar vertebrae.
In case of discomfort, consult your doctor. The first thing to do at the first symptoms is to pay attention to: a bed (a wide selection of orthopedic mattresses that must be selected individually), a pillow (may not be suitable for you in size or softness), position during sleep, motor activity. At home, without being examined by a doctor, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is treated only with bed rest. Therefore, a visit to a doctor is mandatory. In the phase of remission and in the acute phase of the disease, different drugs are taken. In the last stage, drugs are used to relieve pain, release the nerves from vertebral mites and eliminate inflammation. Prescribe: - blocks; - glucocorticoids; - chondroprotectors; - myo-laxatives; - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The last group of drugs, in addition to pain relief, fights with excessive body temperature, edema, inflammation. Such funds can be: rectal, for internal use, injection, external. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine most often begins with NSAIDs:
- Diklofenak;
- Piroksikam;
- Ibuppofen;
- Himeculide;
- Hapoxy;
- Decketoprofen;
- Meloksikam;
- Aceclofenac.
The anti-inflammatory drugs in this list are various ointments, tablets, gels. Some tablet NSAIDs are contraindicated for ulcers or gastritis sufferers. Muscle relaxants relieve joint stiffness and involuntary contractions of the back muscles by temporarily reducing muscle tone. This group of drugs includes tizanidine, tolperisone hydrochloride. When there is a chance to save the intervertebral disc, chondroprotectors are prescribed, which should serve to restore the fibrous annulus. The course of taking such a group of drugs is very long - at least 1. 5 months, and the results can be seen only after a year. They try to avoid the appointment of glucocorticoids, as they have side effects in taking them, since this group of drugs belongs to steroid hormones. They need to be taken under the supervision of the attending physician with the fulfillment of all prescriptions, since only a specialist knows how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis. An example of such a drug is hydrocortisone. Blocks are not drugs in and of themselves, but they are a powerful local pain reliever. The technique is as follows: the introduction of an injection analgesic (IO) or a combination of IO with a drug from the group of glucocorticoids in the pain area. Blocks have no medicinal properties, but they can be addictive, which will lead to a loss of sensitivity to these drugs. If injected frequently, the muscles around the injection can atrophy. Therefore, when acute pain is reduced with this method of treatment, the patient is prescribed drugs designed to restore damaged tissues, blood flow and help improve muscle and nerve fiber tone. This:
- Chondroprotectors, which have a general strengthening effect on bone tissue, normalize the metabolism of cartilage tissues.
- Vitamins that help restore the patency of the nerves.
- Biogenic preparations that encourage the body to heal itself;
- Vascular medicines that thin the blood to improve the nutrition of internal organs.
During treatment, along with the main intake of drugs, antidepressants are prescribed. Here's how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis by reducing acute pain:
- applies external warming, analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents;
- do special exercises for the back;
- go for a massage;
- leads a gentle lifestyle for the back;
- wears a belt corset during training.
Massages, physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapy and alternative treatments.
Relatively inexpensive and effective methods of combating the degradation of shock absorbers are physiotherapy exercises, massage and physiotherapy. A real massage can only be done by a professional with medical training, so a simple visit to beauty salons is not suitable for patients. Each stage of the disease requires different pressure and technique. With proper therapy, the muscle spasm disappears, the muscle structure of the back is strengthened and the pain gradually disappears. Physiotherapy is applicable only in the process of easing painful processes or when they are absent (to maintain the mobility of the vertebrae). Gymnastics is selected individually, based on the age, condition of the person, the stage of development of the disease. The productivity of therapeutic exercises directly depends on the quality of performance and frequency - they must be performed systematically. It is recommended to rest at home, lying on your back, bending your legs, placing a small roller under the lower back. The healing process is monitored with the help of X-ray tomographic investigations. Physiotherapy treatments are prescribed during remission and exacerbation. Methods like:
- acupuncture. An ancient method of pain treatment, based on the stimulation of acupuncture points with fine needles. The procedure relieves spasms, reduces pain, completely eliminates it, reduces tissue edema;
- ultraviolet irradiation, which stimulates the body to absorb calcium;
- ampilpus, called by the corresponding device. The treatment procedure is as follows: the plates of the device are fixed on the back and the corresponding therapeutic current with different parameters flows through the plates;
- laser therapy. Laser beams relieve pain, heal, stop inflammation of the lumbar vertebrae;
- darsonvalization. The method is designed to improve blood circulation, dilate blood vessels, stimulate nerve endings;
- phonophoresis treats with ultrasound, stimulating blood flow to the muscular part of the dorsal region.
Each method has its own contraindications. It is more difficult with traditional medicine. Official medicine still does not recognize that midwives' grandmothers know how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. Therefore, if a friend advises you to apply compresses made from burdock broth, take pine baths, you should consult with your doctor. For anesthesia, such a method as hirudotherapy is used, but leeches hide behind this name, so doctors advise to approach this method of treatment with caution.
Solving surgical problems
In some cases it is no longer possible to do without surgery. With advanced intervertebral hernia, neurosurgeons use microdiscectomy. The operation removes the damaged disk. If there are no contraindications, doctors can perform nucleoplasty, which has many advantages:
- Does not require cuts;
- This takes up to 30 minutes;
- No restrictions regarding surgical procedures.
Important. To maintain the mobility of the spine, strengthen the back muscles, it is recommended to do yoga, swimming, pilates. Running produces a shock load on the vertebrae, so at the first sign of lower back pain, jogging should be abandoned.