The osteochondrosis lumbar is a degenerative and dystrophic disease of the lumbar spine.The intervertebral discs suffer the most with the development of the disease, and the damage also extends to the common surfaces, ligaments, vertebrae.
The proportion of osteochondrosis of the spine is 80% of all diseases of the peripheral nervous system.In 60–80% of cases, this is a lumbar osteochondrosis.At least 7 out of 10 people have regular pain in the lower back throughout their life.An average of 3 to 16 days a year make up for periods of deterioration.But the disease can and should be treated to maintain a high lifespan and the health of the musculoskeletal system.We will tell you why this disease is developing, how it manifests itself and how the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine should be.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic spine that is accompanied by a change in the structure (destruction) and a decrease in the volume (dystrophy) of the intervertebral discs.They start to move into the spinal cord and squeeze the blood vessels.In addition, the disease is characterized by the destruction of the arched joints between the specialist processes of the vertebrae.
Osteophytes are also formed in osteochondrosis.This is the name of pathological growth, which are a result of the breeding of the bone.It is facilitated by a violation of the calcium metabolism in the vertebrae and high loads that cause their deformation.
Attention!The osteochondrosis lumbar is characterized by all pathological processes that are generally inherent in osteochondrosis.However, they only affect the lumbar spine, which includes 5 vertebrae.
The reasons for development and risk factors
In order to understand the causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, you must know the structure of the spine.It is a column that consists of the vertebrae that are connected to each other, slices and ligaments.The holes in them form a hollow channel.Inside is the spinal cord, the roots of which come out between every spine.
When a person leans, the spine bends.At the point of the wrinkle, the intervertebral discs are compressed and their kernels are displaced.This reduces the pressure on the spine during the loads.So the intervertebral disc is a biological shock absorber.When he stops performing a shock absorption function, osteochondrosis develops.
The following factors that are predisposed to the development of the pathology:
- Sedentary or too hard work.The muscles of the corset are relaxed in the seated position, which increases the load on the spine.Heavy elevator leads to this.
- Hypodynamics.In people who lead a sitting lifestyle, the sore muscles are not developed strongly enough to keep the spine in the correct position.
- Excess body weight.Excess weight presses on the spine and overloaded it.
- Endocrine diseases.Hormones influence the metabolism, including intra -national.The hormonal imbalance can lead to a violation of the calcium metabolism.
- Improper nutrition.The inadequate intake of vitamins, minerals and protein disturbs the diet of the spine and leads to changes in your tissues.
- Pathology of the musculoskeletal system.Osteochondrosis can occur against the background of flat feet, injuries and curvature of the spine.
- Genetic predisposition.The risk of osteochondrosis increases when it has close relatives.
- Age -related changes.With increasing age, elasticity and mobility of the spine acceptance.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is more common in men.This is due to the fact that your work is often associated with severe physical work.During strength training in the gym, men are also subjected to great stress.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Pain is the main sign of the disease.His character, its localization and its direction of distribution are determined by the receptor, which was clamped in the spine.Typically, patients complain about painful pain that intensify with a change in the body position, a long lack of changing the pose and sudden movements.With lumbar osteochondrosis, she often gives it to her leg, the sacrum or the groin area.The pain drops in a horizontal position.
Other possible symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- A feeling of tension in the lower back, which results from bending and expansion.It is caused by a shift in the roots of the spinal cord.
- A feeling of weakness in the legs.Maybe the extinction of tendon reflexes in them.This is due to the compression of the nerve fibers, the signals from the brain to the lower limbs.
- The curvature of the lumbar spine to the side (scoliosis) or forward (lordosis) that smoothes its natural bends (kyphosis).
- Involuntary urination and bowel movements (when the spinal cord is clamped).For the same reason, an erection in men can be affected.
- The cooling of the lower back.The buttocks can also get cold.This is done with lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of the pathology, which are only located in the lower back.
- Violations of sensitivity in the area of the damage.You can take a few minutes to several hours.The sensitivity can increase, reduce or disappear.Perhaps the development of paraesthesia - feelings of tingling and crawling.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment that we will analyze in this article is an insidious disease.It starts with complaints and slight pain.But they are ignored because they quickly go to rest.The pathology continues over the years, its signs are improved.And only when the pain becomes unbearable will the patients look for medical help.
Degree of lumbar osteochondrosis
The development of lumbar osteochondrosis comprises 4 stages:
- The first stage is characterized by the shift of the core of the intervertebral disc.It is accompanied by a weak, blunt pain in the lower back and intensified during the movement.A short tingling sensation in the back and in the buttocks is possible.
- In the second stage, the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, which leads to the rapprochement of the vertebrae.They squeeze the nerve endings, which causes severe pain when walking.It can spread to the buttocks, the thigh and the lower leg.When they bend back, the pain is inferior to burning, sometimes a feeling of the cold.
- In the third stage there is a complete destruction of fiber rings.Propes (hernia) appear - protruding intermediate disc discs in the spinal cord.The vertebrae of the lumbar department are deformed.The pain can be felt constantly, but it is weaker in peace.
- Osteophytes are formed in the last stage, the cartilage tissue of the spine is destroyed.The pain can then be weaned and then aggravated with new strength.Body movements are limited.
Early diagnosis of an osteochondose of the lumbar region, the symptoms and treatment of which are closely connected, is very important.The less pathology manifests itself, the more effective it is treated.Therefore, a doctor should visit if incomprehensible back pain and the lower back appear.
Possible complications
If there is no treatment for 1 and 2 degrees of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis, there is formed between the hernia.This shows the transition of the disease to the late stages and threatens the development of complications such as:
- Inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- Arthrosis (destruction) of the band fire joints;
- Destruction of the fibrous ring of intervertebral discs;
- Enlargement of the intermediate shell canal;
- Spinal cord dysfunction as a result of compression;
- Horse -tail syndrome;
- Schmorl hernie;
- Lameness and stiffness of movements.
A properly selected treatment helps prevent hernias from forming with lumbar osteochondrosis and other complications.It is prescribed after a diagnostic examination of the patient.Otherwise, the disease will continue to progress, which can lead to the development of disabilities.
Diagnostic methods
With pain in the lower back, you should contact a neurologist.He will listen to symptoms, examine and feel his back and ask about existing diseases.In addition, the doctor can prescribe:
- X -Ray.An X -Ray image of the spine helps to evaluate the condition of the intervertebral discs and the spinal cord.In the absence of visible changes, the lumbar osteochondrosis of the 1st degree is diagnosed.
- Computer tomography (CT).Assign if an X -beam has shown changes in the lumbar spine.With their help, you can evaluate the degree of damage to slices, nerve endings and the shell of the spinal cord.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).It is an alternative to CT that can be prescribed in the presence of contraindications to an X beam study.Suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Sometimes the calculated and magnetic resonance imaging with intravenous contrasting is carried out.This is the name of a substance that emphasizes the fabrics from the inside.You can get the pictures of the spine of the maximum quality.CT and MRI are carried out with contrast to exclude tumors with symptoms that are not characteristic of the osteochondrosis lumbar, and in this case the treatment is shifted to the final diagnosis.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis and their types
The doctor describes the treatment, taking into account the stage of development of pathology.It is said to eliminate pain, stop inflammatory processes, restore the metabolism and the blood circulation in the area of the lesion.With the osteochondrosis of the lumbar department, the treatment also includes the introduction of a complex of measures to strengthen the lower back, legs and buttocks.
Most treatment methods are conservative.This includes drug therapy, physiotherapy methods and physiotherapy exercises, folk remedies.When switching to 3 degrees, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine using conservative methods does not always lead to the desired result.In this case, the patient's condition can make the operation easier.
Treatment with medication
Medicine therapy is effective in 1 and 2 stages of pathology.However, it is important to remember that the selection of drugs is determined by the symptoms caused by lumbar osteochondrosis, and treatment is strictly prescribed treatment by medicines.You cannot just come to the pharmacy and ask a remedy for osteochondrosis.Even if it is sold to you, the treatment is not effective.
The following groups of drugs can be shown to the patient:
- Analgetics.They contribute to eliminating intensive impressive pain in the osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.They can be used locally (ointments, gels), inside (tablets) or intramuscular using a syringe (solution).
- Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory medication.They have a triple effect: reduce the temperature, relieve pain, reduce inflammation.They are prescribed when the lower back hurt with lumbar osteochondrosis or the sciatic nerve is inflamed.To relieve pain, the gels are used locally to combat inflammation, pills or injections.
- Musorelaxants.This is the name of remedies that relieve painful muscle cramps.They are administered orally in the form of tablets or intramuscularly in the form of a solution.
- Chondroprotectors.Provision of effective treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with medicinal products in the early stages, provided that its complete course is passed.This group of medication stops the destruction of the intervertebral discs and regenerates them.
In order to restore intraosseous metabolism, the patient also prescribes vitamins and vitamin mineral complexes.The doctor can also recommend compliance with the diet.His goal is not only a decrease in body weight, but also the enrichment of the body with protein, natural vitamins and minerals.
Physiotherapy
With osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, treatment with medication is not sufficient.It should also contain physiotherapeutic methods.They relieve pain, relax the muscles and restore the local metabolism.The following procedures are often prescribed:
- Laser therapy (exposure to the spine with a laser);
- Magnetic resonance therapy (exposure to magnetic field);
- Darsonvalization (exposure to the damage area of the high frequency flows);
- Phonophoresis (administration of medical solutions in deep skin layers using ultrasound).
Manual therapy also has a high level of efficiency.The rear massage with lumbar osteochondrosis is prescribed after the pain is faded.It relaxes the muscles, accelerates blood circulation and thus the diet of tissues.It is useful to combine massage with a bath or sauna.However, warning procedures are only permitted in remission times of the disease.
Medical physical education
The gymnastics for the osteochondrosis lumbar includes exercises to strengthen the sore muscles.They also increase the mobility of the spine and improve blood circulation in their tissues.This stops degenerative processes and improves the patient's condition.
The basic complex of training therapy includes 5 exercises:
- Twist.Strengthen the muscles of the abdomen.Lay on your back, bend your knees and cross your arms behind your head.Then breathe air and lift the upper body as if you want to touch the Schubis.The lower back should remain pressed onto the floor.
- Exercise "cat".Relax the muscles of the back and load the spine.Stand on the Karachka (on your knees, with your palms on the floor).Lift your head and bend your back as the cat does when you see danger.Then put your head off and bend your back like the cat when you wake up.
- The curves lie.Strengthens the sloping muscles of the abdomen and hips.Lay on your back, cross your arms behind your head, bend your knees and press them together.Without separating your legs, first turn them to the right, touch the floor with you, return to your original position and do the same with the left side.The upper body should remain motionless.
- Stormy bridge.Strengthens the muscles of the buttocks, prevents the curvature of the spine and smoothes its bends.Lay on the floor, put your arms along the body and bend your legs to your knees.Increase the pelvis and linger for 5 seconds in this position.
- Exercise for stretching the lower back and legs.Sit on the floor, stretch your legs in front of you and distribute your shoulders over the width.First pull towards a leg, pull it with your hands by the toe and feel how the muscles stretch.Stay for 20-30 seconds.Now do the same with the second leg.
You should start with a minimal number of repetitions of exercises and gradually bring them to a maximum (3 approach 10 to 20 times).They should be carried out every day.This does not take longer than 10-15 minutes, but helps to prevent an osteochondrosis relapse.
Attention!The gymnastics is contraindicated in acute pain in the lower back company.
Traditional medicine
At home, the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis can be carried out by folk remedies.You will not replace drug therapy, but to a good addition to it.In the following table we give several most effective recipes for traditional medicine for lumbar pain.
Cooking water in a pan so that strong steam comes from it.Hold a few Burdock leaves for 10 minutes.| Means | action | Cook | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam root tincture | Warming, analgesic. | Enter 200 g root on a fine grater, give a glass and pour 0.5 liters of vodka.Place a dark place and exist for 5 days. | Grate the tincture into the lower back, put a wool belt on top or tie up a warm scarf. |
| Compress from Burdock leaves. | Anesthesia. | Cooking water in a pan so that strong steam comes from it.Hold a few Burdock leaves for 10 minutes. | Use leaves to the location of the localization of pain.Cover with plastic film and wrap yourself.Hold 1-2 hours. |
| Pine pool | Warming, relaxing, analgesic. | Pour a hot bath, add several spruce or pine branches into the water.Add 10 drops of essential oil of each conifer (cedar, pine, larch, juniper). | Take a bathroom that lasts 10-15 minutes.Then wipe the drought and wrap yourself. |
| Herbal cooking | Vitamin, anti -inflammatory, normalizing metabolism. | Place 10 g lingonberry leaf, hop cones, thymeal and saber in a pan.Pour 500 ml of water, put on the stove and bring to a boil.Switch off the fire.Cover with a lid and let it brew for 1 hour.Stress. | Take 1/4 of art.Eaten after three times a day.The course of treatment is 1 month.The maximum duration is 6 months. |
| Lidocaine ointment | Anesthesia. | Melt and cool down 200 g Smalz.Pour 1 lidocaine ampoule into the mixture, mix everything smoothly. | Grate into painful stains as needed.Business not longer than 6-7 weeks. |
Attention!The possibility of using recipes not traditional medicine depends on the type of lumbar osteochondrosis the symptoms are, and treatment at home should be strictly checked by a doctor.
Surgical treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
Surgical intervention is a radical method.Therefore, they only use the development of complications or in the case if conservative methods have not achieved the necessary result.The disease usually reaches 3 or 4 development levels.
With the lumbosacral osteochondrosis, treatment with an operational method usually implies a discoctomy cancellation of a destroyed intervertebral disc.Less often, a whole vertebrae removes and presses the nerve fibers.Instead of slices and vertebrae, artificial prostheses or fragments that have been obtained from the patient are inserted into the spine.They are immobilized to prevent the vertebral shift and the progression of the disease.For this purpose, the spine is strengthened with metal plates and screws.
The operation is carried out under local anesthesia by an incision of 3 to 5 cm long.To get access to the spine, the fabrics are pushed by a special tool.From the introduction of anesthesia to sewing the wound, 1.5 to 2 hours passes.
Attention!With modern technologies, you can use an endoscope to perform operations - a long and flexible tool that is inwards via an incision of about 1 cm long.
Prevention of the lumbar osteochondrosis
Preventive measures must be taken to maintain the health of the musculoskeletal system.They reduce the risk of osteochondrosis.And if pathological changes have already started in the spine, you will help prevent your further development.
Preventive tips:
- If you have a seated work, put a roller or a special orthopedic pillow under your lower back.
- Put on the weather and do not allow the rear and lower back to cool.
- Do gymnastics, running or another simple sport.
- If you feel uncomfortable or have pain in the lower back, see a doctor immediately.
- Garbage bad habits and eat properly.
- Sit on hard chairs with a back.Up venue does not support the body's body, so the spine has to take the entire load.
- The perfect chair height corresponds to the length of the lower leg.When sitting, the legs then rest on the floor.If the growth is small, you can put a stand under your feet.
- The ideal depth of sitting is 2/3 of the hip length.You can do less, but no longer.
- The legs should be spacious under the desktop.
- Set so that the back rests on the back of the chair.
- When you sit, don't tend your head or body - keep it.
- In order not to tilt your head when reading, use a pupiter.
- After many hours, carry out a number of gymnastics exercises.
- Change the pose every 10-15 minutes and rely on one and then on the other leg.
- If you can move, do it.
- Dive a few tendencies with raised hands every hour.Breathe in deeply during the inclination.This exercise relaxes back and belt as well as the back of the head and neck.
- If you work while standing (ironing, cooking), put a bank under one leg.Its height should be equal to the height of a level.
- In order not to bend during the house cleaning, extend the vacuum cleaner hose and present an additional tube.And to wash the floors, use a mop.You can wash the floors and crawl on the knees without bending out of the position of standing.
- Sleep on a hard orthopedic mattress.
- Instead of the mattress, a thick solid shield (plywood plate) is suitable and covered with foam rubber with a thickness of up to 8 cm.Place a woolen blanket and a leaf on it.
- When your legs hurt, put a towel in a roller under your knees.
- If you like to sleep on the stomach, put a thin pillow underneath.
- If you like to sleep on your side, put one leg on the other and your hands under your head.
- Spread the load evenly on both hands.Frequently wearing in the same hand leads to the curvature of the spine.
- If you have already diagnosed osteochondrosis, do not bear any articles that weigh more than 15 kg.To move them, it is better to use a bag with wheels or a car.
- If you have to increase and transmit a heavy object, hang first and keep your back straight.Then take up the heaviness, rise on your feet and wear it, press it on your stomach.To reduce the heavy object, you also have to crouch.
- Eat 3-4 times a day.
- Send the nutrition with protein: fish, low -fat meat, legumes, sleeve cheese.
- Limit the consumption of sweets, baking, fat foods.
- Add more vegetables and fruit into your diet.
- Consume products that are rich in calcium and phosphorus (cheese, dairy products, fish).
- Not to be overeated - a surplus of calories is deposited in the form of fats, which leads to the formation of overweight.