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Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system. It is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes of joint and bone tissue. Lumbar osteochondrosis implies that tissue damage has occurred precisely in the lumbar region and the sacrum, so the patient will experience the corresponding symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine gives a person significant discomfort. This negatively affects the condition of not only the back, but also the lower extremities. To find out how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, you need to consult a specialist - a neurologist or a traumatologist. This complex disease should not be treated on your own or on the advice of relatives and friends. Self-medication can only worsen the process and cause even more damage to the spine.

High-quality treatment for osteochondrosis is carried out in the hospital. There are specialists who specialize in eliminating this problem.

back pain with lumbar osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: causes

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is considered a disease of the elderly. However, recently, lumbosacral osteochondrosis is increasingly being diagnosed in young people (aged 25 to 30). This is due to the fact that many young people lead sedentary lives and spend a lot of time in front of the computer. An additional factor is the constant stress that a young person experiences in the modern world. Combined with improper nutrition, the predominance of fast food, this leads to a deterioration of the condition not only of the spine, but also of the whole organism.

Lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine is a type of pathology localized in the lumbar region. It is one of the most common types of osteochondrosis. The exact causes of the development of the disease are not fully known, but there are provoking factors, the presence of which 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, heavy physical work);
  • Overweight;
  • back injuries;
  • age (over the years the tissues of the spine undergo natural aging and thinning processes);
  • inflammatory diseases of the joints (arthritis, osteoarthritis, scoliosis, etc. );
  • diseases accompanied by metabolic disorders;
  • Unhealthy lifestyle;
  • hereditary predisposition.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms

At an early stage, it is quite difficult to identify lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Symptoms and treatment for the disease will depend on the extent of the damage to the tissue in the spine. Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear gradually, starting with slight discomfort, and in advanced cases, the appearance of sharp pain. Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis cannot be postponed. As the disease develops, the symptoms will only intensify, causing the person more discomfort. In a severe acute period, it hurts a person even to stand up, so it is necessary to immediately treat lumbar osteochondrosis. Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the most striking sign of the pathology. They can accumulate gradually, becoming stronger during movements (bending or lifting weights). As the disease progresses, the intensity of the pain will increase, and during an attack of acute osteochondrosis it will be unbearable;
  • violation of the mobility of the lumbar spine. Pathological processes of the spine affect the ability to perform all movements of this department: it is difficult for a person to bend over, turn to sides, sit with an even back;
  • disruption of the lower limbs. There is a violation of gait, numbness, tingling, a feeling of "goosebumps", muscle weakness occurs in the legs;
  • 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

Lumbar osteochondrosis develops in four degrees. Symptoms and treatment directly depend on the degrees of osteochondrosis: the intensity of the manifestations of the disease increases with the progression of the dystrophic process, which is important to consider when developing treatment.

Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is classified as follows:

  1. 1st degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is manifested by slight discomfort in the lumbar region. They can occur after intense physical exertion or a long day at work. A person may experience pain in the back or in the buttocks area, as well as a tingling sensation in the lower back;
  2. 2nd degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is felt more pronounced. At grade 2, the destruction of the fibrous annulus of the intervertebral disc begins. The distance between the vertebrae narrows or stretches, and the intervertebral disc begins to extend beyond the vertebrae. Compression of the nerve roots of the spine occurs, which results in severe pain in the lower back, which is reflected in the buttock, thigh and lower leg area. The person may also feel a burning or cold sensation in the lower back;
  3. 3rd degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is characterized by the permanent destruction of the fibrous ring. The contents of the intervertebral disc come out - a hernia is formed. The nerve roots are squeezed more strongly, an inflammatory process occurs, which is accompanied by constant and severe pain in the lumbar region;
  4. 4th degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is accompanied by complete atrophy of the cartilage and pathological proliferation of the vertebrae. This is a compensatory reaction of the body to the violation of the intervertebral disc. At this point, the pain usually subsides, however, this indicator does not indicate an improvement in the condition. Proliferation of the vertebrae significantly impairs the mobility of the spine and can lead to disability.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and treatment of exacerbation

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

An exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the treatment of which should be started immediately, can last for several days or weeks (depending on how quickly adequate treatment has been started). In a specialized hospital, acute osteochondrosis is treated immediately after the patient is treated. The hospital admissions department is open 24 hours a day, so the patient can get help at any time. To relieve acute pain, blockages are carried out - the introduction of an analgesic to the affected area, which contributes to a significant improvement in the condition. After elimination of the acute period, the main treatment is started.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: symptoms and diagnosis

Treatment for lumbosacral osteochondrosis begins with the diagnosis. It is necessary to find out whether this is true osteochondrosis and how extensive the tissue damage is. Lumbar osteochondrosis is diagnosed by x-ray. The image will clearly show the condition of the intervertebral disc and vertebrae. The doctor specifies the location of the lesion and assesses the degree of development of the disease. If necessary, an MRI or additional CT scan may be ordered to clarify the details.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is carried out in the hospital 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 disease. The results of the diagnosis will determine how neurologists and physiotherapists treat lumbar osteochondrosis.

Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and medications

After the diagnosis, each patient is interested in the question "How to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine? " The treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region will be complex and will consist of drugs and physiotherapy. In 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 therapy that will be the most effective.

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

  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: relieve pain and inflammation;
  • pain relievers: relieve severe pain that the previous group of drugs cannot handle;
  • muscle relaxants: relieve muscle spasms;
  • chondroprotectors: stop the degenerative process, promote the regeneration of the tissues of the spine;
  • vitamin complexes: normalize nerve conduction, improve the protective properties of the body.

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

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: treatment with physiotherapy

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine includes a course of physiotherapy. It is also an important part of treatment, just like drug therapy. Some patients are interested in how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine without physiotherapy. However, with the use of drugs only, it will not be possible to eliminate the disease. The drugs will ease the pain, which will come back anyway, and quite quickly.

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

  • massage for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
  • stretching of the spine;
  • physiotherapy exercises;
  • reflexology (acupuncture);
  • material methods of exposure (electrophoresis, amplipulse, phonophoresis, etc. ).

Only by applying complex treatment can osteochondrosis be cured. Low back pain usually goes away 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 exclude a rapid relapse of the pathology, it is necessary to complete a comprehensive course, written by specialists. Using effective methods of treatment, professional doctors significantly improve the patient's condition, allowing him to resume a fulfilling life.