Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, degrees

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a pathology accompanied by degenerative processes in cartilage tissues.

This disorder leads to damage to all joints, but mainly the intervertebral discs are affected.

If you experience back pain, you should see a doctor immediately. If you do not do this, the pathology will cause serious complications.

What is lumbar osteochondrosis?

This term refers to a disease that causes damage to the intervertebral discs. They are a gel-like substance located in the annulus fibrosus. The upper and lower parts of the discs are covered with thin cartilage tissue.

After some time, the gel-like mass loses moisture, becomes thin and less elastic. Deformation of cartilage tissue occurs under the influence of loads. The result of these processes is the formation of a protrusion or tear. The formations cause compression of the nerve roots, which causes the disease.

Lumbar osteochondrosis is quite common and causes negative health consequences. Compression of the sciatic nerve is common with this disorder. As a result, there is a risk of severe pain.

Possible complications of the disease

If the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is not started in time, the pathology will lead to dangerous consequences for health. The disease can cause reactive spondylosis. It also provokes the appearance of osteoarthritis of the knee or hip joint.

Spinal cord injury in women can cause complications during pregnancy. This is especially dangerous in the third trimester, which is characterized by a high load on the spine. Degenerative processes in men cause problems with potency.

In addition, the lack of adequate and timely therapy leads to the following consequences:

• sciatica;
• deformation of the spine;
• loss of sensitivity in the limbs;
• vertebral instability;
• pathologies of internal organs;
• radiculitis;
• complete loss of motor activity.

The main symptoms and signs of lumbar osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is characterized by slow development. Often, the diagnosis is made in advanced cases when severe manifestations are present. Therefore, it is very important to identify the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in time. These include:

• Lower back pain. In the initial stage of the disease, this symptom is present only after lifting weights. As the pathology progresses, the pain syndrome becomes unbearable.
• Decreased physical activity. This symptom is caused by compression of nerve fibers. Discomfort spreads to the legs when bending or turning.
• Loss of sensitivity in the lower extremities. With the development of osteochondrosis of the spine, symptoms of numbness cause permanent damage to the nerve roots. This symptom periodically disappears and disappears. At this time, the patient feels a burning sensation, numbness, tingling in the lower back.
• A local decrease in skin temperature. It becomes pale, dry and pale.
• Excessive sweating.
• Spinal syndrome. This symptom appears in advanced cases. Often, people experience problems with sexual dysfunction and urination.

Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis

The formation of osteochondrosis is caused by increased loads on the spine. Excessive pressure on the lower back causes a breakdown of the cartilage structure. The risk of developing the disease increases under the influence of the following factors:

• Poor posture.
• Physical inactivity. Lack of physical activity causes muscle weakness.
• Disturbance of calcium metabolism.
• Chronic deficiency of micro and macroelements. This may be due to a dietary disorder.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Hypothermia.
• Stress factors.
• Strength or extreme sports.
• Damage to the musculoskeletal system.
• Excessive weight.

What are the stages of the disease?

The disease develops gradually. Doctors distinguish the following stages of lumbar osteochondrosis:

• First, at this stage, there is tolerable pain in the lower back, which increases after exercise. This symptom indicates destructive processes in the discs. A person experiences a burning and tingling sensation. Sometimes these symptoms spread to the hips.
• Secondly, at this stage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases and the destruction of the fibrous ring occurs. A person feels sharp pain. When moving, it radiates to the hips, buttocks and legs. The affected area may feel cold or burning. During an attack, the patient is forced to bend in the opposite direction.
• Thirdly, the fibrous ring is completely destroyed at this stage. Vertebral tissues are severely deformed. This provokes the appearance of an intervertebral hernia. With the development of this degree of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, there is constant pain of high intensity.
• Fourth, it is accompanied by abnormal growth of discs and destruction of bones. At this stage, cartilage tissue atrophies to a great extent. This leads to impaired motor activity and even disability.

When should you see a doctor?

If you feel any discomfort in the lower back, you should immediately consult a doctor. A specialist prescribes diagnostic tests to make an accurate diagnosis. For this, the patient is questioned and examined. The doctor also prescribes X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging.

Complex therapy is used to combat pathology. It should solve the following problems:

• stop inflammation;
• strengthen the muscle tissue of the legs;
• eliminate the pain syndrome;
• improve metabolic processes and blood circulation;
• normalize the work of the pelvic organs;
• restore sensitivity.

It is characterized by the development of pathological pain. In the initial stages, the use of tablet analgesics is sufficient. In advanced cases, it is impossible to do without injection drugs.

Drug therapy includes the use of the following drugs:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They help to cope with swelling and inflammation. Thanks to this, it is possible to eliminate compression of blood vessels and fibers and reduce pain. The most effective means include Diclofenac, Nimesil.
• Analgesics. They are prescribed during the exacerbation of the pathology accompanied by severe pain. Such drugs have many side effects. Therefore, they should be prescribed by a doctor. Baralgin or Pentalgin is often prescribed.
• Muscle relaxants. Such tools help to overcome muscle spasms. This allows you to eliminate anxiety. This category includes Mydocalm, Sirdalud.
• Glucocorticosteroids. These are hormonal agents that help to overcome inflammation and improve the functions of the nervous system. Ambene drug has high efficiency.

In addition to drugs, the following therapy methods are used:

• Physiotherapy. Performing special exercises helps to strengthen the muscles. It helps to create the correct posture, increase the elasticity of ligaments and prevent complications of osteochondrosis. Gymnastics improves blood circulation, normalizes metabolic processes, increases the distance between the vertebrae and reduces the load on them.
• Manual therapy. It involves the use of individualized manual techniques to help manage pain and improve posture. Such treatment restores motor activity, normalizes blood flow, strengthens the immune system and activates metabolic processes.
• Massage. This procedure can have a relaxing or tonic effect on the body. With its help, it is possible to reduce the load on muscles, stimulate blood flow, and activate lymph drainage. Massage also relieves pain and has a restorative effect.
• Physiotherapy. Ultrasound, low frequency currents and magnetic field are used for lumbar osteochondrosis. It helps to cope with pain, relieve inflammation and normalize blood circulation. Physiotherapy products stimulate recovery processes and increase the effectiveness of drugs.

Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis

To prevent the appearance of lumbar osteochondrosis, you should follow the main recommendations:

• avoid lower back hypothermia;
• posture control;
• train;
• change body position while performing monotonous work;
• refuse to lift heavy objects;
• Healthy food.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is a common pathology that causes dangerous complications. In order to reduce the symptoms of the disorder, it is necessary to consult a neurologist in time. The doctor will conduct diagnostic tests and choose an adequate therapy.

How is treatment carried out in a modern clinic?

Doctor's consultation: medical history, myofascial diagnosis, functional diagnosis.

How is it going?

Anamnesis collection - analysis of the disease, limitations and contraindications are determined, explanation of the principles of kinesitherapy, features of the recovery period.

Myofascial diagnosis is a manual diagnostic method in which the doctor evaluates the range of joint movements, determines painful tightness, swelling, hypo or hypertonicity of muscles and other changes.

Functional diagnostics (conducted in the rehabilitation room) - the doctor explains how to perform certain exercises on the equipment and observes: how the patient performs them, what range of motion he can work with, what movements cause pain, what weight the patient can work with, cardio-how the vascular system reacts. vascular system. Problem areas are identified. Data is entered into the card. Accents are set.

Based on the results of the doctor's initial examination and functional diagnosis, an initial individual treatment program is drawn up.

It is advisable to have with you:

• for pain in the spine - MRI or CT (magnetic resonance or computer tomography) of the problem area;
• for joint pain - X-ray;
• in case of accompanying diseases - extracts from the medical history or outpatient card;
• comfortable (sports) clothes and shoes

Lessons with an instructor

At the beginning of the treatment period, the doctor and the patient draw up a treatment plan, which includes the date and time of the treatment session, repeated visits to the doctor (usually 2-3 times a week).

Treatment sessions in the rehabilitation room using simulators and sessions in the gym are the basis of the treatment process.

Rehabilitation simulators, providing an adequate physical activity regime, allow individual muscle groups to be loaded in a precise dose. The treatment program is designed individually by the doctor for each patient, taking into account the characteristics of the body. Supervision is carried out by qualified teachers. At all stages of recovery, it is important to follow the correct movement and breathing techniques, know your weight norms when working on sports machines, follow the prescribed treatment regimen and follow the recommendations of specialists.

Joint gymnastics sessions help to restore visual coordination, improve joint mobility and flexibility (elasticity) of the spine and are an excellent preventive system for self-use.

Each treatment cycle consists of 12 sessions. Each lesson is supervised by a teacher. The duration of one treatment session is from 40 minutes to 1. 5 hours. The instructor designs a program taking into account the accompanying diseases and the patient's condition during the school day. Teaches the technique of performing exercises and monitors their correct execution. A second doctor's consultation is held every 6th lesson, changes and additions are made to the program depending on the dynamics.

How many cycles will it take? - individually for everyone

Important to know:

• How long has this problem been present (stage of the disease)
• How your body prepares for physical activity (do you do gymnastics or any kind of sport)

If the disease is at an early stage and the body is prepared, one course of treatment is enough. (for example, young people of 20-30 years old who do sports. We focus their attention on performing exercises, breathing, stretching techniques, excluding "wrong" movements that are harmful to problem areas. Such patients undergo exercises and receive medical treatment. "care for your body"ability, receive recommendations in case of exacerbation and continue to study independently).

If the problem has been going on for a long time, if you do not do gymnastics or if you have concomitant diseases, then you need a different time:

• Eliminate tension? One or two rounds is enough
• Restore function, walk without stopping (climb stairs), bend, perform certain tasks without effort, stay still for a long time while traveling, improve general condition. Three or more treatment cycles may be required.

Each organism is individual and the program is individual for each patient.