Connecting the fixed part, thorax and sacral, spinal part, lumbar play the most important role. It gives mobility to the spinal column.
With the development of degenerative processes in the intervertebral disc, signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear. Serious illness can significantly complicate existence, leading to decreased work capacity and even disability.
cause
Worldwide, the disease is becoming more prevalent. This is facilitated by common factors such as physical inactivity, poor environmental conditions, malnutrition and obesity. At the same time, it is in the back that the heaviest load often falls, so it is important to know the cause of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- More than half of the cases of the disease are associated with hereditary predisposition, which determines the structure of the intervertebral disc, which is easily deformed.
- Work -related normal physical load is a negative factor that can cause problems with the spine.
- With incorrect posture, exacerbated by hypodynamia, the lumbar region is subjected to greater stress.
- Injuries to the spine in the future often lead to manifestations of the disease. Therefore, professional sports representatives are at risk.
- Many years ago, osteochondrosis was a disease of the elderly - this had its own logic. Discs are more prone to deformation with age. However, today the disease can be observed in children in their thirties. The impetus for the development of osteochondrosis is an error in the independent performance of complex physical exercises.
- If there is any pathology in the joints, then severe hypothermia and sharp tension when lifting heavy loads can cause pain.
- Being overweight puts extra stress on all the joints of the spine.
- Often the onset of the disease is associated with pathology of several internal organs: liver, kidneys and others.
symptoms
So, consider the signs of lumbar spine osteochondrosis.
- The first and main symptom of the disease is pain, initially periodic, occurring in the lumbar region during strenuous exercise. At first, it passes after rest, but then becomes permanent, covering not only the lower back, but also the lower body. During further vertebral destruction, the pain becomes stronger, there is a feeling of heat or cold in the back.
- The sensitivity of the skin of the lower body is reduced or completely lost, arterial spasm may occur. The fact that the vertebrae are no longer repaired by full discs causes serious damage to internal organs.
- Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis in women are complemented by inflammation of the ovaries, appendages and uterus. This condition can obscure the main symptoms and lead to errors in diagnosis.
- Due to the severe pain, a person has to be in an inappropriate position most of the time, as a result of which the spine is shifted to one side. Crouching appears in posture, and tension in gait.
- The spine loses mobility and flexibility. The effect of lumbodynia is observed, when, after prolonged work in a bent state, it is difficult for the patient to straighten.
- Nerve root compression in the vertebrae is accompanied by acute pain and may have consequences in the form of impaired mobility.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is also characterized by symptoms of ischemic syndrome, that is, a group of signs associated with decreased blood flow in the compressed ducts. Initially, arterial spasm occurs episodically, accompanied by pain when walking. After a break they passed. However, over time, the cramps become prolonged, the pelvic organs stop receiving nutrition, which interferes with their work. Stopping blood flow can cause paralysis.
- This disease can cause pain in the tailbone. The signs of sacral osteochondrosis vary in some originality, so are more difficult to diagnose. Despite the intense pain, even rupture, it is given in the surrounding tissue, so the patient is unable to indicate the exact location of their localization. In addition, they are accompanied by inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system. There is frequent urination or premature urination, constipation, difficult for the patient to sit and move.
Complications
If the problem is not treated, then the progressive disease can lead to serious complications.
- The result of the rupture of the fibrous ring will be pinching of the nerve endings by the protruding nucleus pulposus - an intervertebral hernia will occur.
- Prolonged inflammatory processes in the spine can result in sciatica - a disease of the nerve roots of the spine.
- A very serious complication is inflammation of the sciatic nerve, which is characterized not only by severe pain, but also by numbness in the limbs.
- Impaired blood flow in the spinal cord can cause compression myelopathy.
- Ponytail syndrome is one of the most severe consequences of osteochondrosis. A group of nerve endings extending from the vertebrae at the end of the spinal cord is responsible for sending impulses from the body, allowing the brain to control the body’s work. Their acute inflammation can cause dysfunction of the genitourinary system and partial or complete paralysis of the limbs.
Treatment
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, its symptoms and treatment depend on the place where the nerve endings are clamped, where pain and loss of sensitivity are felt. If the therapy is started on time, then it will be quite successful, but, in any case, it requires an integrated approach.
Medications are used only to relieve acute pain. The main goal of therapy is to stop the progression of the disease and return the spine to the correct position, restoring normal blood flow in it. This is a complex and lengthy process that requires the use of various recovery methods.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic gymnastics occupies an important place in recovery. It is prescribed a few days after the elimination of severe pain, selected separately for each patient and depending on:
- disease stage,
- causes of lumbar osteochondrosis,
- patient age,
- pain localization site,
- and other factors.
The main goal of therapeutic training is to create a reliable muscular corset that will help reduce the load on the intervertebral disc. In the early period, some exercises with small loads were offered. It increases gradually. Over time, special training is added to the general.
Gymnastics is first done lying down. In this case, the load on the spine is minimal, there is no increase in pain. The next stage is exercise, lying on your side, and then on your stomach. You can put a pillow under it, and rollers under the joints of the bottom of the foot.
In the early stages, all exercises are done very slowly and carefully. Gradually, as the amplitude of movement increases, new ones are added to them. After the pain stopped and the patient’s condition improved, the complex was augmented with exercises performed while standing on all fours, then sitting on a chair, then standing.
If the disease is in a chronic form, then, depending on the well -being of the patient, he is allowed to engage in certain sports - swimming, skiing and others. The effectiveness of therapeutic training will increase many times over with regular classes.
Manual and massage therapy
Manual therapy is one of the oldest and most effective methods as part of the complex measures used to treat lumbar osteochondrosis and its symptoms. The course covers several procedures that can eliminate the causes of pain and numbness in the limbs, relieve tension on muscle fibers, restore blood circulation and joint mobility. When using this technique, you can get a quick and positive effect, comparable to the results of therapeutic training. However, it has some contraindications that should be considered when including it in complex treatments.
An excellent tool in the fight against serious illness is massage. After a few sessions, the patient feels better, muscle spasms disappear and joint mobility is restored. But each case of the disease has its own characteristics, and only a qualified specialist should prescribe this procedure.
There are several contraindications, with the presence of massage prohibited for certain categories of patients:
- neoplasms with different properties;
- third degree hypertension;
- moles in the massage area;
- arrhythmias and other pathologies of the heart;
- blood diseases;
- women's diseases and a few more.
Usually the traditional order type is specified. The first procedure may be accompanied by a slight pain, which will soon stop.
Severe pain during the session is unacceptable. To increase blood flow in the affected area, a vacuum massage using a can can be used.
The doctor will help you beat lumbar osteochondrosis and its symptoms, and choose the most effective treatment. Most likely, the sequence will be included in the list of recommendations.
Physiotherapy
The complex of therapeutic measures includes physiotherapeutic methods. They allow you to act locally on the affected area and eliminate unpleasant symptoms. The following types of physiotherapy have been widely used:
- exposure to electric or electromagnetic fields allows you to increase blood flow and metabolic processes in tissues;
- ultraviolet light relieves inflammation, stimulates the production of vitamin D, strengthens the body's defenses;
- ultrasonic waves have a high anti-inflammatory effect;
- Balneotherapy is widely used in the treatment and prevention of diseases of the spine, due to the mild and effective healing effects of mineral springs and therapeutic mud.
This method also has certain contraindications, which should be taken into account when prescribing the procedure.
There are many folk recipes that are widely used for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, as proven to be an effective remedy. They can be a good addition to the main treatment after consulting a specialist. Ointments and compresses, herbal decoctions can be used for rubbing or swallowed. Self -prepared products can cause allergic reactions. Poisonous plants can also be prescribed in recipes, so you need to follow the exact dosage of the substance, check the body's response to its use, and consult a doctor.
prevention
Measures that can prevent this serious disease should be comprehensive and include, above all, physical activity. It can be a long walk at a quiet pace, a regular trip to the pool, sports. Walking and running help to engage major muscle groups, and water helps them relax better and increase range of motion.
Very important for health is a balanced fractional diet, in which great attention should be paid to foods with high fiber content. Vegetables and fruits will establish the normal functioning of the digestive system, metabolic products will not linger in the intestines, poison the body. Thanks to the small portions, the food will be fully processed.
It is necessary to arrange good rest and proper sleep on a flat and hard foundation. A useful orthopedic mattress that maintains the natural position of the spine.
The first signs of lumbar osteochondrosis require immediate medical attention, and then there is the possibility of successful treatment and restoration of spinal function.