Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is observed among the pathological processes in the tissues of the axial skeleton, the symptoms and treatment of which have their own characteristics. The frequency of diagnosis of the disease does not decrease with time. What is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine? This is a special type of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs of the axial skeleton with subsequent damage to the joints and ligaments. The photo shows the appearance of the affected vertebrae.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, what is it?
The lumbar region of the axial skeleton is subjected to maximum stress. As a result, the high frequency of diagnosis of osteochondrosis in this area of the spine is not accidental.
The causes of lumbar osteochondrosis have been identified and studied for a long time. The disease can manifest itself in patients from the age of 30. But the older generation and representatives of the strong half of the world community are much more likely to find pathology.
Timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine provides the opportunity to avoid a decrease in work capacity, quality of life and disability.
Sick patients are strictly prohibited from hypothermia and vigorous physical activity. Weightlifting, speed skating, jogging, jumping, horse riding, aerobics, motor sports are contraindications for osteochondrosis.
Causes of the disease
Several external and internal factors cause the manifestation of symptoms of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs of the axial skeleton. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, including back pain, cause discomfort, discomfort, and stiffness of movements.
Among the reasons for the development of the pathology, it should be noted:
- increased loads on the lumbar spine due to certain conditions for performing work tasks, repair work, weight lifting during training of professional and amateur athletes;
- execution of complex and sharp movements;
- overweight, which predetermines the symptoms of lumbar pathology in women and men;
- hypothermia of the body;
- incorrect posture, causing uneven load distribution on the axial skeleton;
- sedentary lifestyle, which has a negative effect on elasticity, blood supply to each vertebra;
- lack of ability to sit and move properly;
- congenital back pathologies or back injuries as a result of sports, falls from height, transportation accidents;
- lack of a balanced nutritional diet enriched with vitamins, minerals, trace elements, as well as the organization of the correct regime of food intake, work, rest;
- common stressful situations;
- hormonal disturbance in the female body during pregnancy and menopause;
- violation of metabolic processes in the patient's body;
- genetic predisposition, which determines the porous-loose structure of the tissues of the spine and accelerates its degenerative-dystrophic changes;
- addiction to alcoholic beverages, smoking tobacco products, which accelerate the aging process in the human body.
Flat feet, constant wearing of uncomfortable shoes, lack of vitamins, poor environmental conditions of the surrounding space are also the causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. The exclusion of a number of factors will help to avoid the development of pathology. When confirming the diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis, it is recommended to treat it immediately, without waiting for complications. Ignoring the advice of qualified specialists leads to the manifestation of back pain and other complications. Vertebrologists know how to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar axial skeleton and quickly provide first aid for severe pain.
Symptoms of the disease
The bottom of the column is an important part of the column. And the timely diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis, the treatment of which is recommended to start as soon as possible, eliminates the risk of developing unpleasant consequences. Degenerative-dystrophic disease of the axial skeleton has certain symptoms.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are included in a special list. The most common are:
- inability to perform back bends, torso twists;
- decreased flexibility, mobility of the lumbar spine, which can be treated at home, following the doctor's recommendations;
- depression;
- increased fatigue, irritability, nervousness, manifested in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which have their own characteristics;
- back pain in the lumbar region, causing problems when urinating, defecating, performing daily hygiene procedures;
- the appearance of problems during the night rest;
- increased sweating;
- the appearance of a sensation of tingling and coldness in the lower extremities.
Such signs of lumbar osteochondrosis indicate the need to seek the help of a qualified specialist. Vertebrologists will always help to cure this ailment, to improve the lives of patients, relieving them of back pain, discomfort, stiffness and discomfort.
Complications of the disease
A long period of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs of the axial skeleton without proper treatment causes the development of complications and concomitant pathologies of the internal organs of patients. Timely diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of which indicate the need to seek the help of a vertebrologist, eliminates the risk of its occurrence. Ignoring the advice of the treating physician leads to new problems with health, well-being and quality of life.
Complications of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the treatment of which should be carried out after confirmation of the diagnosis, without waiting for back pain, include:
- violation of the menstrual cycle in women and sexual activity in men;
- varicose veins and spasm of the arteries of the feet;
- dysfunction of the genitourinary system;
- irritation and neuralgia of the sciatic nerve;
- pain that manifests in the kidney area and resembles back pain in the lumbar spine;
- hernial bulges and bulges of the intervertebral discs and spine;
- radiculitis, acute and chronic lumbodynia, disability.
The unpleasant consequences of lumbar osteochondrosis, in the absence of correct treatment, lead to mental disorders, depressive states and a deterioration in the quality of life not only of the patient himself, but also of those around him, family and friends. It is also desirable that they have information on how to determine osteochondrosis.
Stages of the disease
When asked if it is possible to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, vertebrologists give a positive answer, provided they seek medical help in a timely manner. They distinguish four stages of the development of the disease, each of which manifests itself at a certain time and has its own distinctive characteristics. These include:
- 1st stagepathology, distinguished by mild pain sensations, aggravated by physical exertion, discomfort in the lumbar region, the beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral discs;
- 2nd stageof the disease, characterized by a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae due to pathological changes in the fibrous rings, pinched nerve processes, the appearance of severe pain in lumbar osteochondrosis;
- Third stageof the disease, the characteristics of which include severe destruction of the fibrous rings, the formation of hernial protrusions, a marked deformation of the axial skeleton;
- 4th stageof the disease, characterized by severe problems with the motor ability of a patient who is forced to treat lumbar osteochondrosis at home or within the walls of a hospital, as well as withrisk of being disabled.
Pathology diagnosis
Patients are advised to know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis at home. The vertebrologist, after collecting the anamnesis, external examination of sick people, prescribes the approval of diagnostic measures. His list includes:
- clinical, biochemical blood test;
- Radiography, which provides the opportunity to obtain information on the state of the axial skeleton and prescribe the correct treatment for lumbar osteochondrosis at home or in a hospital;
- Computed tomography, characterized by a lower radiation load on the body, allows a more complete examination of the pathological zone of the axial skeleton and answers the question of whether osteochondrosis can be treated at this stage of development
- MRI, based on the use of electromagnetic radiation, in addition to providing an absolutely painless and harmless examination of the back in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Modern diagnostic methods are among the most informative research methods. Their results form the basis for confirming the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of which indicate the presence of a back problem and also provide an opportunity to prescribe the correct treatment for the pathology of the axial skeleton.
How to treat osteochondrosis and how to get rid of its symptoms
Vertebrologists who know how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar axial skeleton at home will always come to the aid of sick patients. After receiving the results of the examination of the pathological zone of the spine, a number of measures are prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of the disease and prevent the development of complications. Treatment regimens for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are developed taking into account the age category of the patient, the structural features of the axial skeleton. Allergies are also determined, which can manifest themselves against the background of taking medications.
The main measures aimed at effective treatment of osteochondrosis include:
- Pharmacotherapy based on the intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hydroprotectants, muscle relaxants, vitamin complexes, phytopreparations;
- performing blocks that eliminate severe pain in lumbar osteochondrosis, whose symptoms, whose treatment have their own characteristics;
- water treatments and stretching of the axial skeleton, which is recommended to perform regularly;
- medical massage;
- exercise therapy, which is prescribed to strengthen the muscle structure, make the vertebrae more mobile, and not raise the question of how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis;
- using traditional medicine recipes.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is carried out in the context of a balanced diet and diet. Giving up bad habits is also a necessary measure to prevent the progression of the disease. Orthopedic prevention of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine provides an opportunity to avoid surgery.