Lumbar osteochondrosis is a spinal deformity in the lumbar region. The disease affects the discs, cartilage, roots of the spinal cord, and nerve fibers and causes back pain.
CMRT Clinic has been focusing on conservative treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis for more than 10 years. These centers are equipped with modern specialist equipment for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and rehabilitation. Using an individualized approach, experienced specialists develop a set of therapeutic measures aimed at combating all stages of pathology.
important!
Accurate diagnosis, determination of the cause and nature of the disease, effective treatment can only be prescribed by qualified physicians appointed in-house.
cause
The main cause of the disease is incorrect distribution of loads on the musculoskeletal system. This usually happens when you are walking in high heels, putting your bag on one side, in a dream, or with uncomfortable posture during a sedentary job. At risk are the elderly, pregnant women, women who have just given birth, professional athletes and office workers.
Other causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Injuries, bruises, broken arms, legs, spine
- Damage to organs of the musculoskeletal system
- Gastrointestinal disorders, causing nutritional deficiencies
- Body tension during prolonged exercise
- psychoemotional disorder
- Impaired blood flow to the spine
- Inflammation of the musculoskeletal system
- Visceral and spinal infections
- joint stiffness, disc displacement
- herniation and intervertebral herniation
- severe poisoning
- metabolic disorder
- Postural curvature
- sedentary lifestyle
- dehydration
- unbalanced diet
- Calcium hypoxia
- excess weight
- bad habits
- age-related changes
- joint disease
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The intensity and nature of symptoms depend on the stage of the disease. The earlier a patient recognizes the signs of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the more effective the treatment will be.
General Symptoms:
- Severe pain in the lower back that can radiate to the legs, abdominal viscera, and pelvis
- kidney and sacral pain
- Fatigue and tension in the lower back and sacrum
- Difficulty moving, walking, leaning, and turning the body
- occasional back pain
- Rapid fatigue after light load
- back crunching, limited mobility, pain at rest
- Numbness in limbs
- muscle spasms and spasms
- Dizziness
- weakness and loss of strength
- decreased muscle tone and sensitivity
Lumbar osteochondrosis may present differently in men and women. Men may have problems with potency. Women are more likely to suffer from pain in the pelvic area. When the deformed spine cannot fully support the back, the uterus and appendages will bear additional loads and sometimes deviate from the normal physiological position.
Variety
The classification of lumbar osteochondrosis includes a variety of diseases. Depending on the type of pain syndrome, there are:
low back pain. Acute symptoms. Presents as severe low back pain and immobility. Occurs with muscle spasms, injuries, and compression of intervertebral discs and nerve roots.
low back pain. It is characterized by prolonged pain from hernias, hernias, spondyloarthropathies, sprains, and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Sciatica. Lumbosacral severe pain syndrome, radiating to the pelvis. The pain spreads to the sciatic nerve, preventing normal flexion and extension of the body, and preventing pain-free sitting and standing.
There is also a distinction between discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis and radiculopathy.
Discogenic lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by loss of sensation and numbness not only in back pain, but also in legs, buttocks, thighs, and lower abdomen. Sometimes there is increased body temperature, weakness, urinary incontinence, and the patient loses weight.
Radiculopathy manifests as numbness in the nerve roots and a decrease in a person's ability to move. Signs - tingling or soreness throughout the lower body, impaired reflexes, decreased muscle tone and joints in the extremities.
Stages of development of lumbar osteochondrosis
Physicians track pathological dynamics in four phases:
first. Symptoms are almost invisible - they are diagnosed on X-rays. This stage begins with pathological processes in the pulp chamber of an overdried intervertebral disc and microcracks in the annulus fibrosus.
second. The height of the intervertebral discs is reduced, which allows the vertebrae to be spaced closer together. This can cause the vertebrae to slide and shift, with pain when moving.
third. Characterized by physical stiffness, instability, and numbness in the coccyx, lower back, and sacrum. This can be explained by herniated vertebrae, protrusions, joint dislocations and spondyloarthropathies.
fourth. hardest level. On it, the function of the spine is disrupted and bone growths (osteophytes) form. Growths can pinch nerves or destroy the integrity of the vertebrae.
Consequences of lumbar osteochondrosis
- Excessive buildup of salt in the body
- Development of hernias, herniations, vertebral and disc prolapses
- chronic sciatica
- Leg paralysis and paralysis
diagnosis
Orthopedic surgeons, osteopaths, neurologists, rheumatologists, chiropractors, and surgeons can diagnose lumbar osteochondrosis and other musculoskeletal disorders. An accurate diagnosis can be made when:
- An x-ray of the spine, showing the condition of the bones, cartilage, and muscle tissue, as well as the ligaments and tendons.
- Myelography is a study of cerebrospinal fluid using a dye. With its help, the nerve roots of the spinal cord are studied and evaluated.
For a more detailed examination, doctors use CT and MRI. You can get a diagnosis at a network of CMRT clinics.
We also recommend undergoing plasma therapy procedures, drug piercings. To maintain health, manual therapy and osteopathic services, exercise therapy are recommended.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
Neurologists treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis. The standard treatment plan goes like this: A doctor diagnoses, determines the extent of the disease, and identifies complications. With this in mind, he opted for a treatment - conservative or surgical.
physiotherapy
Exercise therapy for spinal osteochondrosis is carried out in a well-equipped room under the supervision of a doctor. The session is performed when relief occurs and the patient is not suffering pain. The doctor monitors the patient's condition during physical activity, and if pain or discomfort occurs, he corrects the movement or cancels it.
Each therapeutic gymnastics class is performed in several phases. During a warm-up, the patient performs light exercises to warm up the muscles and disperse the blood. In the main part - exercise the affected spine. Finally, relax and stretch.
Physiotherapy for Lumbar Osteochondrosis
Physical therapy procedures are performed to reduce pain, improve circulation and tissue nutrition, and reduce inflammation. In most cases, patients are prescribed:
- Electrophoresis, which helps reduce the neurological manifestations of the disease
- Dual power therapy with different intensity current effects for effective relief of severe pain
- Ultrasound therapy along the affected spine
- Alternating Magnetic Field Magnetic Therapy
For optimal results, patients require a combination of multiple physiotherapy procedures.
kinematic recording
For anesthesia, a cotton patch with hot-melt adhesive is used. There are specific types of therapeutic applications for pain in the neck, chest, back and joint problems.
Injection for Lumbar Osteochondrosis
For lumbar osteochondrosis, doctors may prescribe the following injections for treatment:
- Chondroprotectants protect cartilage tissue from further damage and slow down the development of dystrophic diseases
- NSAIDs reduce inflammation and have antipyretic and analgesic effects by reducing swelling of inflammatory lesions
- The vitamin complex restores blood circulation to the affected area, accelerates the renewal of nerve fibers and improves the overall physical condition
Injections can only be prescribed by a doctor, since the method of treatment has contraindications. For example, many medicines are contraindicated in allergy sufferers, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
medical treatement
Doctors try to move away from this treatment, but in extreme cases they prescribe the following drugs for lumbosacral osteochondrosis:
- Analgesics have only analgesic or additional anti-inflammatory effects
- Antispasmodics relieve muscle spasms so pressure on nerve endings stops and pain subsides
- Vasodilator drugs improve blood microcirculation and help reduce recovery time of the spine after osteochondrosis treatment
Tablet therapy is administered alone or in combination with injections. For example, a certain drug is prescribed as a tablet, and if the effect is not good, an injection is prescribed.
operation treatment
Surgery is a drastic measure and should only be used in severe cases. During the procedure, doctors completely remove the cause of the pain and stabilize the spine.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
- Create a moderate exercise and exercise therapy schedule
- Take 5-7 minute breaks every hour you work
- sleep on a flat surface or buy an orthopedic mattress
- Wear comfortable shoes that fit well
which doctor to contact
A neurologist makes an accurate diagnosis, develops a treatment plan, and makes corrections when necessary. If the disease is accompanied by severe pain or visceral dysfunction, it may be necessary to consult another specialist.
frequently asked questions
How to help in the acute pain stage of lumbar osteochondrosis?
Sufferers of back pain should be helped to adopt comfortable positions so that the pain is reduced. Afterwards, you should consult your doctor.
Can lumbar osteochondrosis be exercised?
Physical exercise is contraindicated in the acute phase, and patients must abide by bed rest. When the pain subsides, the patient should proceed to exercise therapy -- doing strengthening exercises for the whole body. They must be chosen by a doctor. Also, it is important to monitor your health during physical activity. If any movement causes pain, it is important to limit its intensity or eliminate it.