Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is noted among the pathological processes in the tissues of the axial skeleton, the symptoms and treatment of which has its own characteristics. The frequency of diagnosing the disease does not decrease over 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, 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 subject to maximum stress. As a result, the high frequency of diagnosing osteochondrosis in this area of the spinal column is not accidental.
The causes of lumbar osteochondrosis have long been identified and well studied. 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 encounter pathology.
Timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine provides an opportunity to avoid a decline in working capacity, quality of life, and disability.
Sick patients are strictly prohibited from hypothermia and strong physical activity. Weightlifting, speed skating, jogging, jumping, horse riding, aerobics, motor sports are contraindications for osteochondrosis.
Causes of the disease
A number of 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 dorsalgia of the back, cause discomfort, discomfort, and stiffness of movements.
Among the reasons for the development of pathology, it should be noted:
- increased loads on the spine in the lumbar spine due to certain conditions for performing work duties, repair work, lifting weights during training by professional athletes and amateurs;
- execution of sharp, complex movements;
- overweight, which predetermines the symptoms of lumbar pathology in women and men;
- hypothermia of the body;
- incorrect posture, causing uneven distribution of the load on the axial skeleton;
- sedentary lifestyle, which has a negative effect on the elasticity, blood supply to each vertebra;
- lack of ability to sit and move correctly;
- congenital back pathologies or back injury as a result of sports, falls from a height, transport accidents;
- lack of a balanced nutritional diet enriched with vitamins, minerals, trace elements, as well as the organization of the correct regimen of food intake, work, rest;
- regular stressful situations;
- hormonal disruption 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 spinal column and accelerates their 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 dorsalgia 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 lower spine is an important part of the spine. And the timely diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis, the treatment of which is recommended to start as early 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 ones are:
- inability to perform back bends, torso turns;
- decreased flexibility, mobility of the lumbar spine, which can be treated at home, following the doctor's recommendations;
- depression;
- increased fatigue, irritability, nervousness, which manifests itself in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which have their own characteristics;
- dorsalgia in the lumbar region, which causes problems when urinating, defecating, carrying out daily hygiene procedures;
- the appearance of problems during the night rest;
- increased sweating;
- the appearance of a tingling sensation 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 make the life of patients better, relieving them of dorsalgia, 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 their occurrence. Ignoring the advice of the attending 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 dorsalgia, 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;
- sciatic nerve irritation and neuralgia;
- pain that manifests itself in the area of the kidneys and resembles dorsalgia in the lumbar spine;
- protrusions and hernial protrusions of the intervertebral discs and the spine itself;
- radiculitis, acute and chronic lumbodynia, disability.
The unpleasant consequences of osteochondrosis of the lower back, in the absence of correct treatment, lead to mental disorders, depressive conditions and a deterioration in the quality of life not only of the patient himself, but also of those around him, relatives, close people. It is also desirable for them to have information on how to determine osteochondrosis.
Stages of the disease
Vertebrologists, when asked whether it is possible to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, provide a positive answer, provided that they seek timely medical help. 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, which is 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;
- 3rd stageof the disease, the hallmarks of which include severe destruction of the fibrous rings, the formation of hernial protrusions, a noticeable deformation of the axial skeleton;
- 4th stageof the disease, characterized by serious problems with the motor ability of a patient who is forced to treat low back osteochondrosis at home or within the walls of a hospital, as well as at risk of becoming disabled.
Diagnostics of pathology
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 passage of diagnostic measures. Their list includes:
- clinical, biochemical blood test;
- X-ray, which provides an opportunity to obtain information about the state of the axial skeleton and to prescribe the correct treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis at home or in a hospital setting;
- computed tomography, which is characterized by a lower radiation load on the body, allows a more thorough examination of the pathological zone of the axial skeleton and answer the question of whether osteochondrosis can be treated at this stage of development;
- magnetic resonance imaging, based on the use of electromagnetic radiation, as well as providing absolutely painless, 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 deal with 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 spinal column, a number of measures are prescribed to relieve 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 the effective treatment of osteochondrosis include:
- drug therapy based on the intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hodroprotectors, muscle relaxants, vitamin complexes, phytopreparations;
- performing blockades that eliminate severe pain in lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms, the treatment of which have their own characteristics;
- water treatments and stretching of the axial skeleton, which are recommended to be done regularly;
- medical massage;
- exercise therapy, which is prescribed in order to strengthen the muscle frame, make the vertebrae more mobile and not ask the question of how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis;
- using traditional medicine recipes.
Treatment of low back osteochondrosis is carried out against the background of a balanced diet and diet. Quitting 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.