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Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis is a common musculoskeletal disorder. It is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes of the articular and bone tissues. Lumbar osteochondrosis means that tissue damage has occurred precisely in the lumbar region and sacrum, so the patient experiences the corresponding symptoms. Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine causes significant discomfort to a person. It has a negative effect not only on the condition of the back, but also on the lower limbs. To treat lumbar spine osteochondrosis, you need to contact 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 make the process worse and cause even more damage to the spine.

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

Back pain with lumbar osteochondrosis

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: causes

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is considered a disease of the elderly. Recently, however, lumbosacral osteochondrosis has been increasingly diagnosed in young people (aged 25-30 years). This is because many young people lead sedentary lifestyles and spend a lot of time on computers. Add to this the constant stress that a young person experiences in the modern world. In combination with improper nutrition, the predominance of fast food, this leads to a deterioration in the condition not only of the spine, but of the whole organism.

Lumbar osteochondrosis of the spine is a type of pathology 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 precisely known, but there are provoking factors, the presence of which significantly increases the likelihood of osteochondrosis. These include:

  • sedentary work;
  • Posture curvature;
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • excessive load on the spine (professional sports, regular weight lifting, heavy physical work);
  • Obesity;
  • Back injuries;
  • Age (over the years, the tissues of the spine are subject to natural processes of aging and thinning);
  • inflammatory diseases of the joints (arthritis, osteoarthritis, scoliosis, etc. );
  • Diseases accompanied by metabolic disorders;
  • Unhealthy lifestyle;
  • hereditary predisposition.

Lumbar spine 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 spine. Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear gradually, beginning with mild discomfort and, in more advanced cases, with the appearance of acute pain. It is impossible to postpone treatment for lumbar osteochondrosis. As the disease develops, symptoms only increase, which makes the person more uncomfortable. In a severe acute period, it is even painful for a person to get up, so it is necessary to treat lumbar osteochondrosis immediately. The symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • Pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the most noticeable sign of the pathology. They can build up gradually and get stronger with movements (bending or lifting weights). As the disease progresses, the intensity of the pain increases, and during an attack of acute osteochondrosis it becomes unbearable;
  • Violation of the mobility of the lumbar spine. Pathological processes in the spine adversely affect the ability to perform movements of this department: it is difficult for a person to bend over, turn to one side, sit with a straight back;
  • Lower extremity disorder. There is a violation of the gait, numbness, tingling, a feeling of "goose bumps", muscle weakness occurs in the legs;
  • A paleness 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).

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and degrees

There are four degrees in which lumbar osteochondrosis develops. Symptoms and treatment directly depend on the degree of osteochondrosis: the intensity of the manifestations of the disease increases with the progression of the dystrophic process, which should be taken into account when drawing up a course of therapy.

Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is classified as follows:

  1. First degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine manifests itself as slight discomfort in the lumbar area. They can appear after strenuous physical exertion or a long day at work. A person may experience pain in their back or buttocks, as well as a tingling sensation in their lower back;
  2. Second degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is more pronounced. At grade 2 the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc begins. The space between the vertebrae narrows or expands, and the disc begins to extend beyond the vertebrae. There is compression of the nerve roots of the spine, which manifests itself in significant lower back pain, which is reflected in the buttocks, thighs and lower legs. The person may also experience a burning sensation or coldness in the lower back;
  3. 3rd degree osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is characterized by the definitive destruction of the annulus fibrosus. The contents of the intervertebral disc come out - a rupture forms. The nerve roots are more compressed, an inflammatory process occurs, which is accompanied by severe persistent 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 response by the body to the injury to the intervertebral disc. At this stage, the pain usually goes away, but this indicator does not indicate any improvement in the condition. The proliferation of vertebrae significantly impairs the mobility of the spine and can lead to disabilities.

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment for exacerbations

Exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be provoked by a sharp movement, lifting weights, hypothermia. Acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis may increase gradually or appear suddenly. Most often, the exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by acute severe pain. During a seizure, muscle spasms occur in the lumbar and thoracic spine that interfere with the movement of the back to prevent increased pain. Pain in the acute phase extends to the area of the buttocks and leg, which are connected to the affected area of the spine by nerve fibers. A person is forced to assume a certain position and not change it (usually this is a horizontal position with a sore leg bent). Even small movements like coughing can cause a new attack of pain.

An exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the treatment of which must be started immediately, can last several days or weeks (depending on how quickly adequate therapy was started). In a specialized hospital, acute osteochondrosis is treated immediately after the patient is treated. The hospital's admissions department is open around the clock so that the patient can get help at any time. To relieve acute pain, blockades are carried out - the introduction of an analgesic into the affected area, which will help to significantly improve the condition. After eliminating the acute period, the main treatment is started.

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: symptoms and diagnosis

Treatment for lumbosacral osteochondrosis begins with diagnosis. It is necessary to find out whether it is real osteochondrosis and how much tissue damage is. Lower back osteochondrosis is diagnosed by x-ray. The picture clearly shows the condition of the intervertebral disc and vertebrae. The doctor indicates the localization of the lesion and assesses the degree of development of the disease. If necessary, an additional MRI or CT examination can be prescribed to clarify the details.

The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is done at the hospital diagnostic center, which has everything you need to make an accurate diagnosis. Experienced staff use modern equipment that allows you to quickly and correctly identify the patient's suffering. The results of the diagnosis will determine how neurologists and physical therapists 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? " Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region will be complex and consist of drugs and physical therapy. In the hospital, each component of 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, which will be the most effective.

Medical treatment for 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, which the previous group of drugs cannot cope with;
  • Muscle relaxants: relieve muscle spasms;
  • Chondroprotectors: stop the degenerative process, promote 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 strictly determined by the attending physician.

Lumbar spine osteochondrosis: treatment with physiotherapy

Treatment for lumbar spine osteochondrosis includes physical therapy. Like drug therapy, it is an important part of treatment. Some patients are interested in treating lumbar spine osteochondrosis without physiotherapy. However, with the sole use of drugs, it will not be possible to get rid of the disease. Medication dampens the pain that is coming back anyway, and fast enough.

In the hospital, physiotherapy for osteochondrosis is carried out in the rehabilitation department by qualified specialists. The patient is prescribed a rehabilitation course that takes into account their skills and needs. Physiotherapy includes:

  • Massage for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
  • Stretching the spine;
  • physiotherapy exercises;
  • Reflexology (acupuncture);
  • Hardware exposure methods (electrophoresis, amplipulse, phonophoresis, etc. ).

Only through complex treatment can osteochondrosis be cured. Lower back pain usually disappears within a few days of starting therapy (depending on the severity of the disease). However, this is not a reason to stop treatment. In order to get the best result and to exclude a rapid relapse of the pathology, it is necessary to complete a full course drawn up by specialists. With effective methods of treatment, professional doctors achieve a significant improvement in the patient's condition, which allows him to return to a full life.