Lumbar osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

The manifestation of lumbar osteochondosis

Lumbar osteochondrosis is chronic damage to the lumbar column that develops in the intervertebral discs following many years of physical influences and metabolic disorders.Lumbar osteochondrosis has been shown to be the cause of back pain in 75% of cases.

The defeat of the lumbar column occurs in 60% of the inhabitants of the planet - this is the most frequent manifestation of osteochondosis.The first signs of the disease appear at 20-30 years.

The danger of the disease is that in the subsequent stages of the disease (when the protrusion occur (protrusion) and the hernias of the intervertebral discs), complications are developing that require surgery, in particular the plantar band and a head of Heap.

The lumbar osteochondrosis often complicates pregnancy.

Causes of lumbar osteochondosis

The main cause of the disease is the systematic load on the lumbar column and the metabolic disorders of the fibrous layer of the intervertebral discs.Lift weights, excess weight, constant physical work improves pressure on the spine.

Other causes of lumbar osteochondrosis: sedentary and sedentary lifestyle, constantly wearing high heels, malnutrition, consumption of small quantities of liquid, smoke, alcohol abuse.

When the protective muscle frame and the absence of treatment, the flow of blood to the worsen tissues and the degenerative processes in the intervertebral disc worsen.Consequently, intervertebral discs do not receive sufficient blood supply: they lose elasticity, "dry", inflamed, flattened and protruding.

When it protrudes (protrusion), the spinal nerve spinal column is violated, which manifests itself from pain at rest and during movements.Posture and incorrect injuries cause an additional irregular load on the spinal column, which accelerates the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.

Phase of lumbar osteochondosis

The peculiarity of the disease is the gradual development of degenerative processes.

Neurologists distinguish 4 stadiums of lumbar osteocondrosis:

  • 1st stadium& MBSP;Partial inflammation and flattening of intervertebral discs.It manifests itself by burning in the lower part of the back and stupid not intense pain in the lower back.Unpleasant sensations arise after physical effort, weight lifting.
  • 2nd stadium- The distance between the vertebrae is reduced, on the radiography the changes in the fibrous ring that surround the patient feels a severe pain in the lower back of the back, which gives (irradia) to the buttocks and legs are determined.
  • 3rd stadium- The emergence of intervertebral hernias due to the destruction of the fibrous ring of the vertebrae.In the third phase, the cartilage and vertebrae are destroyed intensely.Pain acquires constant character, they also feel at rest.
  • 4th stadium- Atrophy of cartilage and intervertebral discs, accompanied by the pathological growth of the bone tissue of the vertebrae and the formation of osteophytes.Pain occurs with any movement and any position of the body with uncomfortable body.The pain does not go by itself.These violations require intensive treatment and lead to severe human disability.

Symptoms of lumbar osteochondosis

Symptoms of lumbar osteochondosis

In seventy percent of cases, doctors diagnose the disease in the second stage.During this period, the patient detects frequent periods of exacerbation with luminous symptoms:

  • Low pain, which has improved by physical effort.As degenerative processes develop, pain becomes serious and constant;
  • Restriction of movements.The movements are accompanied by an increase in pain with irradiation in buttocks and legs;
  • change of sensitivity in the lower limbs (tingling, burning, numbness);
  • tension of the spinal muscles;
  • Numbness and coldness of the feet.

Diagnosis of osteochondosis of the lumbar

In 85% of cases, doctors make a diagnosis by radiography, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The most targeted method is magnetic resonance imaging.With its help, doctors determine the place and degree of damage to the lumbar column.

The main task of the specialist is to distinguish osteochondosis from Bekhterev's disease.

Complications of lumbar osteochondosis

The lumbar roots or the Reale syndrome: the pathological process in the violated spinal nerve (spine) is the most frequent complication of lumbar osteochondosis.It occurs in 55% of cases.It is accompanied by pain and sensitivity compromised in the lower back and/or along the violated root.

In the subsequent stages of the disease, an intervertebral disk flattens on the edge of the vertebra - the protrusion.When the fibrous ring is destroyed, an intervertebral hernia is formed.Intervertebral hernia is an opportunity to contact a neurosurgeon.

In 40% of patients, the sciatic nerve is inflamed.This causes pain, numbness of the limb.As a result, the patient tolerates the body weight to a healthy leg;The spine is even more curved, which aggravates the severity of the disease.

Methods for the treatment of lumbar osteochondosis

10% of patients develop a narrowing of the spinal canal or compression myelopathy - tightening the spinal cord.Requires surgical treatment.

The rarer, but dangerous complication is the "horse tail" syndrome: the defeat of different close nerve roots.

Every third patient with this complication has legs or paralysis of the legs.It also requires surgical treatment.

Treatment of lumbar osteochondosis

It is impossible to treat lumbar osteochondrosis.It is possible to remove pain and slow down the degenerative processes in the vertebrae and discs.80% of the success in the treatment falls on 1 and 2 phases of the disease.

If there are no complications, neurologists deal with osteochondosis of the lumbar department with medicines, physiotherapy, massage and physiotherapy exercises.

Medicines are prescribed for the exacerbations of osteochdrosis to eliminate inflammation, pain and stimulation of metabolism in the vertebrae, cartilage, in the discs.

In acute pain, the therapeutic effect is achieved by the intramuscular administration of drugs.For local anesthesia, the paravertebral block is prescribed.For 3-6 months, patients are prescribed chondroprotectors.

The purpose of physiotherapy exercises is to strengthen the back back of the back.The pool exercises are very useful.With lumbar osteochondrosis, the exercises are performed after eliminating the pain.Some doctors prescribe physiotherapy exercises even with pain, however, this must be faced with caution.

After the pain attenuates, massage and reflexology courses are recommended.

The uncomplicated lumbar osteochondrosis does not require frequent and multilayer hospital treatment.The disease is treated at home.They remind popular remedies whose action is reduced to heating the lower back.

Prevention of lumbar osteochondosis

For the prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis, adhere to simple rules:

  • Follow the posture for many hours of stay in a sedentary pose, the position of the body changes;
  • Swim 3 times a week;
  • Raise gravity with two hands from a sitting position or, staring (straightening) the back;
  • Avoid drafts;
  • For a night rest, choose a orthopedic mattress.