Lumbar osteochondrosis is a degenerative and distribution disease of the lumbar spine.With the development of the disease, intervertebral discs suffer more, damage also extends to joint surfaces, ligaments, vertebrae.
The participation of the spine osteochondrosis is 80% of all diseases of the peripheral nervous system.In 60-80% of cases, this is lumbar osteochondrosis.At least 7 out of 10 people experience regular back pain throughout their lives.For periods of exacerbations, on average, from 3 to 16 days a year.But the disease can and should be treated to maintain a high quality useful life and the health of the musculoskeletal system.We will tell you why this disease develops, how it manifests and what should be the treatment of the osteochondrosis of the lumbar column.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a chronic column, which is accompanied by a change in the structure (destruction) and a decrease in the volume (dystrophy) of the intervertebral discs.They begin to get into the spinal cord and tighten the blood vessels.In addition, the disease is characterized by the destruction of the arched joints between the thorny processes of the vertebrae.
With osteochondrosis, osteophytes are also formed.This is the name of pathological growths, which are a consequence of the marginal growth of the bone.It is facilitated by a violation of calcium metabolism in the vertebrae and the high loads that cause its deformation.
Attention!Lumbar osteochondrosis is characterized by all pathological processes inherent in osteochondrosis in general.But they affect only the lumbar spinal column, which includes 5 vertebrae.
The reasons for development and risk factors
To understand the causes of the osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, you must know the structure of the spine.It is a column composed of the vertebrae, which are connected to each other intervertebral discs and ligaments.The holes inside them form a hollow channel.Inside is the spinal cord, whose roots leave between each pair of vertebrae.
When a person leans, the column bends.In the place of the fold, the intervertebral discs are compacted and their nuclei move.This reduces the pressure in the spine during loads.Therefore, the intervertebral album is a biological shock absorber.When it stops performing a shock absorption function, osteochondrosis develops.
The following factors predisposed to the development of pathology:
- Sedentary or too hard work.In the sitting position, the corset muscles are relaxed, which increases the load in the spine.The heavy elevator leads to this.
- HypodinamiaIn people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, the muscle corset does not develop with enough force to keep the column in the correct position.
- Excess body weight.Excess weight presses in the spine and overload.
- Endocrine diseases.Hormones affect metabolism, including restlessness.Hormonal imbalance can lead to a violation of calcium metabolism.
- Inadequate nutrition.The insufficient intake of vitamins, minerals and proteins interrupts the nutrition of the column and leads to changes in their tissues.
- Pathology of the musculoskeletal system.Osteochondrosis can occur at the bottom of the flat feet, the lesions and the curvature of the spine.
- Genetic predisposition.The risk of developing osteochondrosis increases if it has close relatives.
- Age -related changes.With age, elasticity and mobility of the spine decrease.
In men, the osteochondros of the lumbar column is more common.This is due to the fact that your work is often associated with great physical work.Men are also suffering great loads during strength training in the gym.
Lumbar osteochondrosic symptoms
Pain is the main sign of the disease.Its character, location and distribution address are determined by the receiver that was held in the spine.In general, patients complain of painful pain, which intensifies with a change in body position, a long absence of a change in pose and sudden movements.With lumbar osteochondrosis, it often gives it to the leg, sacrum or groin.In a horizontal position, pain decreases.
Other possible symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- A sensation of tension in the lower back that arises from flexion and extension.It is caused by a displacement of the roots of the spinal cord.
- A feeling of weakness in the legs.Perhaps the extinction of the reflexes of the tendon in them.This is due to compressing nerve fibers that conduct brain signals to the lower extremities.
- The curvature of the lumbar spinal column to the side (scoliosis) or forward (lordosis), smoothing its natural curves (kyphosis).
- Urine and involuntary defecation (if the spinal cord is held).For the same reason, an erection can be affected in men.
- The cooling of the lower back.The buttocks can also cool.This happens with lumbosacra osteochondrosis, whose symptoms and treatment are similar to pathology, located only on the lower back.
- Sensitivity violations in the damage area.They can last a few minutes to several hours.Sensitivity can increase, decrease or disappear.Perhaps the development of parstesthesia: feelings of tingling and crawling of chicken skin.
The osteochondrosis of the lumbar column, the symptoms and the treatment that we will analyze in this article is an insidious disease.Start with discomfort and slight pain.But they are ignored because they pass quickly after the break.Over the years, the pathology progresses, its signs improve.And only when the pain becomes unbearable, patients seek medical help.
Degree of lumbar osteochondrosis
The development of lumbar osteochondrosis includes 4 stages:
- The first stage is characterized by the displacement of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.It is accompanied by a weak back pain, intensified during the movement.A brief tingling is possible on the back and the buttocks.
- In the second stage, the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, which leads to the approach of the vertebrae.They press the nerve endings, which causes severe pain while walking.It can extend to the buttocks, the thigh and the lower part of the leg.If it folds back, the pain is lower than the ardor, sometimes a feeling of cold.
- In the third stage, the complete destruction of fibrous rings occurs.Accessories appear (hernias): Outstanding intervertebral discs in the spinal cord.The vertebrae of the lumbar department are deformed.The pain is constantly feeling, but at rest it is weaker.
- In the last stage, osteophytes are formed, the cartilage tissue of the spine is destroyed.The pain then decreases, then aggravates with a renewed vigor.The body movements are limited.
The early diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, whose symptoms and treatment are closely interconnected, is very important.The less the pathology manifests, the more effective it is treated.Therefore, a doctor should visit when an incomprehensible back pain appears and the lower back.
Possible complications
If there is no treatment for 1 and 2 degrees of development of lumbar osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias are formed.This indicates the transition from the disease to the late stages and threatens the development of complications such as:
- Inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- osteoarthritis (destruction) of the intervertebral joints;
- destruction of the fibrous ring of intervertebral discs;
- intervertebral channel narrowing;
- spinal cord dysfunction as a result of compression;
- Horsetail syndrome;
- Schmorl Hernia;
- limp and rigidity of the movements.
The properly selected treatment will help prevent the formation of hernias with lumbar osteochondrosis and other complications.It is prescribed after a patient's diagnostic study.Otherwise, the disease will continue to progress, which can lead to the development of disability.
Diagnostic methods
With lumbar pain, you must communicate with a neurologist.He will listen to the complaints, examine and feel his back, ask about existing diseases.In addition, the doctor can prescribe:
- X -Ray.An X -ray image of the spinal column will help evaluate the condition of intervertebral discs and spinal cord.In the absence of visible changes, lumbar osteochondrosis of the first grade is diagnosed.
- Computer tomography (CT).Assign if an X line has shown changes in the lumbar column.With your help, you can evaluate the degree of damage to the discs, the nerve endings and the cover of the spinal cord.
- Magnetic resonance tomography (MRI).It is an alternative to the TC, which can be prescribed in the presence of contraindications to an X -Ray study.Suitable for pregnant and infant women.
Sometimes, magnetic resonance tomography is carried out with an intravenous contrast administration.This is the name of a substance that highlights the fabrics from the inside.With it, you can get the images of the maximum quality column.TC and magnetic resonance with contrast are carried out to exclude tumors with little characteristic symptoms for lumbar osteochondrosis, and treatment in this case is postponed to the final diagnosis.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis and its types
The doctor prescribes the treatment taking into account the stage of development of the pathology.It is designed to eliminate pain, stop inflammatory processes, restore metabolism and blood circulation in the injury area.With the osteochondrosis of the lumbar department, the treatment also implies the adoption of a complex of measures aimed at strengthening the lower back, legs and buttocks.
Most treatment methods are conservative.They include drug therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures and physiotherapy exercises, popular remedies.When changing at 3 degrees, the treatment of the osteochondrosis of the lumbosacra column with conservative methods does not always lead to the desired result.In this case, the patient's condition can facilitate surgery.
Drug treatment
Pharmacological therapy is effective in 1 and 2 stages of pathology.But it is important to remember that the selection of medications is determined by the symptoms caused by lumbar osteochondrosis, and treatment is a treatment strictly prescribed by medications.You cannot simply come to the pharmacy and ask for a remedy for osteochondrosis.Even if it is sold, the treatment will not be effective.
The following groups of medicines can be shown to the patient:
- AnalgesicsThey help get rid of the intense impeitary pain in the osteochondrosis of the lumbar.They can be used locally (ointments, gels), take inside (tablets) or administer intramuscularly using a syringe (solution).
- Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory medications.They have a triple action: reduce temperature, relieve pain, reduce inflammation.They are prescribed if, with lumbar osteochondrosis, the lower back hurts or the sciatic nerve is inflamed.To relieve pain, gels are used locally, to combat inflammation, take pills or injections.
- Musorelaxantes.This is the name of the remedies that relieve painful muscle cramps.They are taken orally in the form of tablets or administer intramuscularly in the form of a solution.
- Condroprotectors.Provide an effective treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with medications in the early stages, provided that its complete course is approved.This drug group stops the destruction of intervertebral discs and regenerates them.
To restore intraóseo metabolism, the patient also prescribes vitamins and complexes of mineral vitamins.The doctor can also recommend compliance with the diet.Its objective is not only a decrease in body weight, but also the enrichment of the body with proteins, natural and mineral vitamins.
Physiotherapy
With the osteochondrosis of the lumbar column, drug treatment is not enough.It must also include physiotherapeutic methods.They relieve pain, relax the muscles and restore local metabolism.Often, patients receive the following procedures:
- laser therapy (exposure to the spine with a laser);
- magnetic resonance therapy (exposure to the magnetic field);
- Darsonvalization (exposure to the area of damage to high frequency currents);
- phonoforesis (administration of medicinal solutions in deep skin of the skin using ultrasound).
Manual therapy also has high efficiency.The subsequent massage with lumbar osteochondrosis is prescribed after pain discoloration.Relax the muscles, accelerate blood circulation and, therefore, tissue nutrition.It is useful to combine massage with a bath or sauna.But heating procedures are allowed only during periods of remission of the disease.
Medical Physical Education
Gymnastics for lumbar osteochondrosis includes exercises aimed at strengthening muscle corset.They also increase the mobility of the column and improve blood circulation in their tissues.This stops degenerative processes and improves the patient's condition.
The base therapy complex includes 5 exercises:
- Cramp.Strengthen the abdomen muscles.Lie on your back, bend your knees and cross your arms behind your head.Then breathe and, exhaling, lift the torso as if I wanted to touch the pubis.The lower back must remain pressed towards the floor.
- "Cat" exercise.Relax the back muscles, discharge the spine.Stand on the karachka (on your knees, resting with the palms on the floor).He raises his head and bends his back as the cat does when he sees danger.Then lower his head and bend his back, as the cat does when he wakes up.
- The lying turns.Strengthens the oblique muscles of the abdomen and hips.Lie on your back, cross your arms behind your head, bend your knees and press each other.Without disconnecting the legs, first wander them to the right, touch the floor with them, return to their original position and do the same with the left side.The torso must remain motionless.
- Bridge Burely.Strengthens the muscles of the buttocks, avoids the curvature of the column and softens its curves.Lie on the floor, place your arms along the body, double your legs on your knees.Lift the pelvis and delays in this position for 5 seconds.
- Exercise to stretch your back and legs.Sit on the floor, stretch your legs in front of you, extend your shoulders by the width.First, lean towards one leg, take it with your hands next to the foot, feel how the muscles extend.Paste for 20-30 seconds.Now do the same with the second stage.
You must start with a minimum number of exercises of exercises, gradually carrying them to the maximum (3 approach 10-20 times).They must be done every day.This takes no more than 10-15 minutes, but helps prevent a relapse of osteochondrosis.
Attention!Gymnastics is contraindicated in acute lower back pain.
Traditional medicine
At home, the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis can be performed by popular remedies.They will not replace pharmacological therapy, but they will become a good addition to it.In the table below, we give several more effective recipes for traditional medicine against low back pain.
Boil water in a pan so that strong steam comes from it.Keep a couple of gross leaves for 10 minutes.| Half | Action | Cooking | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam's root tincture | Heating, analgesic. | RELCH 200 g of root in a fine grater, place a bottle and pour 0.5 liters of vodka.Put in a dark place and insist 5 days. | Rub the tincture in the lower back, put on a wool belt at the top or at a warm scarf. |
| Compress of gross leaves. | Anesthetic. | Boil water in a pan so that strong steam comes from it.Keep a couple of gross leaves for 10 minutes. | Apply the leaves to the place of pain location.Cover with plastic wrap and wrap.Keep 1-2 hours. |
| Bathtub | Heating, relaxing, analgesic. | Pour a hot bath, place several branches of fir or pine in the water.Add 10 drops of essential oil from any coniferous tree (cedar, pine, aler, juniper). | Take a bath that lasts 10-15 minutes.Then clean the dry and wrap it. |
| Herbal decoction | Vitamin, anti -inflammatory, normalization of metabolism. | Place 10 g of lingonberry leaf, hops cones, shy and saber fish in a pan.Pour 500 ml of water, put on the stove and boil.Turn off the fire.Cover with a lid and let it prepare for 1 hour.Strain | Take 1/4 of art.After eating three times a day.The treatment course is 1 month.The maximum duration is 6 months. |
| Lidocaine ointment | Anesthetic. | It was and cools 200 g of Smalz, add 75 g of beeswax, 30 g of the root of the alteum chopped to the state of dust.Pour 1 lidocaine blister in the mixture, mix everything until it is soft. | Rub in sore points as necessary.Store no more than 6-7 weeks. |
Attention!The possibility of using non -traditional medicine recipes depends on what type of lumbar osteochondrosis are symptoms, and home treatment should be strictly controlled by a doctor.
Surgical treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
Surgical intervention is a radical method.Therefore, they resort to him only with the development of complications or in the case when conservative methods have not given the necessary result.In general, the disease reaches 3 or 4 stages of development.
With lumbosacra osteochondrosis, treatment with an operational method generally implies a discoctomy elimination of an intervertebral disk destroyed.Delete less commonly a complete vertebra, pressing nerve fibers.Instead of discs and vertebrae, artificial prostheses or fragments obtained from the patient's rowing are inserted into the spine.To prevent vertebral displacement and the progression of the disease, they are immobilized.For this, the spine is strengthened with metal plates and bolts.
The operation is carried out under local anesthesia through a 3-5 cm long incision.To obtain access to the spine, fabrics are pushed by a special tool.From the introduction of anesthesia to suture the wound passes from 1.5 to 2 hours.
Attention!Modern technologies allow you to perform operations using an endoscope: a long and flexible tool, inward through an incision of approximately 1 cm long.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
To maintain the health of the musculoskeletal system, it is necessary to take preventive measures.They will reduce the risk of osteochondrosis.And if the pathological changes in the column have already begun, they will help prevent their greater development.
Preventive tips:
- If you have a sedentary work, place a roller or a special orthopedic pillow under the lower back.
- Watch the weather and do not allow the hypothermia of the back and lower back.
- Do gymnastics, career or another easy sport.
- Feeling discomfort or lower back, see a doctor immediately.
- Rek the bad habits and eat correctly.
- Sit in hard chairs with a back.The furniture above does not support the body of the body, so the spine has to take all the load.
- The perfect height of the feces is equal to the length of the lower part of the leg.Then, when you feel, the legs will rest on the floor.If the growth is small, you can put a support under your feet.
- The ideal depth of sitting is 2/3 of the length of the hip.You can less, but no more.
- Under the desktop, the legs must be spacious.
- Sit so that the back rest on the back of the chair.
- When sitting, do not tilt your head or body, keep them straight.
- Not to tip your head when reading, use a pupiter.
- After many hours of driving, perform a series of gymnastics exercises.
- Change the pose every 10-15 minutes, trusting one first and then in the other leg.
- If you can move in place, do it.
- Every hour, make some inclinations with your hands raised.During the inclination, breathe deeply.This exercise relaxes the back and belt, as well as the back of the head and neck.
- If you work (ironing, cook), place a bank under one leg.Its height must be equal to the height of a stage.
- In order not to lean during home cleaning, lengthening the vacuum hose, present an additional pipe.And to wash the floors, use a mop.You can wash the floors, crawling on your knees, but without leaning out of the standing position.
- Sleep in a hard orthopedic mattress.
- Instead of the mattress, a thick solid shield (plywood plate) is adequate, covered with foam rubber with a thickness of up to 8 cm.Place a wool blanket and a sheet on the top.
- If your legs hurt, place a folded towel on a roller under your knees.
- If you like to sleep face down, place a thin pillow underneath.
- If you like to sleep sideways, put one leg in the other and your hands under your head.
- Distribute the load in both hands evenly.The frequent use in the same hand leads to the curvature of the spine.
- If you have already diagnosed the osteochondrosis, do not use items that weigh more than 15 kg.To move them, it is better to use a wheel bag or a cart.
- If you need to raise and transfer a heavy item, it first puts on snoop, keeping your back straight.Then collect the heaviness, get up at your feet and take it, pressing it in your stomach.To lower the heavy object, you must also put on snoop.
- Eat 3-4 times a day.
- Enrique the diet with protein: fish, low fat, legumes, cottage cheese.
- Limit the consumption of sweets, bake, fatty foods.
- Include more vegetables and fruits in the diet.
- It consumes products rich in calcium and phosphorus (cheese, dairy products, fish).
- It does not eat in excess: an excess of calories in the form of fat is deposited, which leads to the formation of excess weight.