The lumbar spine is most susceptible to pressure because it is affected by the entire body weight. Moreover, it is very mobile.
If the vertebral body is not fully developed, the pressure on the intervertebral disc will increase several times. That is, they are responsible for the mobility and flexibility of the back.
Therefore, low back osteochondrosis due to various reasons is a fairly common disease of the musculoskeletal system.
It develops gradually, and a person may not pay attention to its initial symptoms at all. However, it requires serious treatment.
How the disease develops and its causes
In the lower back, the bone is connected to the thoracic spine. There are many factors that cause lumbar osteochondrosis. The main problem is considered incorrect and the back is overloaded.
In the course of the disease, glycoproteins are broken down, affecting the connective tissue of the joints and making them elastic. It affects the bone and cartilage structure of the spine.
The intervertebral disc contains a gel-like substance that can cause dryness due to lumbar disease. They are exhausted and then flattened. Therefore, the spine loses its amortization function, its various parts are close to each other, and the nerve roots and blood vessels are clamped.
At the same time, the annulus fibrosus ruptures, which in some cases may rupture, leading to the formation of hernias. All of these can cause swelling and lower back pain.
The muscle frame protects the spine from negative influences and ensures the correct posture. His problems may also lead to the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
There are other reasons for the onset of this disease:
- Congenital changes, loose intervertebral disc structure.
- State of stress.
- Infectious diseases in bone and cartilage tissue.
- Inconvenient shoes.
- Injured back.
- Inflammation of the joints.
Lifestyle, occupation, and age are also important here. The greatest load on the spine occurs in the sitting position. Therefore, people who spend most of their time in a sitting position are at risk.
These can be office workers, drivers. Insufficient exercise is not the best way to affect the lumbar spine. As a result, the musculoskeletal system becomes weak.
The impact on the spine, especially the weightlifting of the lower back, plays an important role. This is caused by occupations such as loaders, construction workers, waiters or professional athletes, that is, people who are under constant pressure.
Osteochondrosis may also occur during pregnancy in women. If the spine is bent, increased pressure on the lumbar spine and uneven weight distribution can also cause disease.
Similarly, it can affect the occurrence of osteochondrosis and flat feet. The arch of the foot loses its function, and all the burden of walking is transferred to the spine. Being overweight also has a negative effect. The disease can be osteomyelitis, a complication after tuberculosis.
The unfavorable factors of lumbar osteochondrosis also include improper sleep patterns, nutrition, hindered metabolism in the body or visceral diseases:
- Gastrointestinal tract and liver;
- Small pelvis
- Central Nervous System.
People of different ages are susceptible to this disease.
Lumbar osteochondrosis symptoms
One of the first manifestations is usually lumbar pain and discomfort. At the same time, it may be difficult to bend, turn, and bend the big toe. Sometimes I feel cold, or conversely, there is a burning sensation in the back.
Usually, symptoms appear only after fatigue, hypothermia, or prolonged discomfort. They often disappear after a short rest. In the acute phase, they may be characterized by low back pain and are exacerbated by exercise, coughing and sneezing.
Muscle spasms in the back make it impossible to sit down, which can lead to increased pain, which is reflexive. In addition to these symptoms, there are the following signs:
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Increased sweating.
- sleep disorder.
- Varicose veins.
- Numbness and pain in the extremities.
- Violation of tendon reflex.
Due to cramps, the legs will freeze, the beak grows, and the disc height decreases.
The sciatic nerve formed by the ral root of the spinal cord may also suffer from osteochondrosis of the lower back. This can be manifested by pain that radiates to the leg or swelling.
If an artery or blood vessel is compressed, it is characterized by decreased sensitivity but less pain. They are located in the lower back and respond to the buttocks and hips. The time when the pain syndrome occurs is also different. Pain usually appears in the morning, and over time, they become persistent and independent of exercise.
Complications of lumbar osteochondrosis
The instability of the intervertebral discs and the fact that they cannot fix the spine cause lumbar spine displacement. This also affects the work of internal organs. Osteochondrosis is complicated by problems in the genitourinary system and discomfort in the kidney area.
In women, irregular menstruation is possible, while in men, problems may occur in the genital area. Another symptom of the disease is flaky and dry skin in the affected area.
If osteochondrosis is not treated, it can lead to spinal strokes and other unpleasant consequences. When the intervertebral disc stretches beyond the boundaries of the vertebrae, the intervertebral disc may protrude. Cartilage atrophy is also manifested. During this period, the pain may be relieved by the growth of bone tissue.
Spondyloarthropathy is sometimes separated as a form of osteochondrosis, but more often it is considered a complication. With it, a spur-like growth is formed on the spine. They are localized, the pain appears in the waist area and does not spread to other parts of the body.
Another consequence is numbness of the feet. In the lower back, an unpleasant sensation appears and spreads to the area below the knee, further causing ankle dysfunction. All of these can lead to disability.
Diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis
Doctors can prescribe several types of studies on the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Ordinary X-ray (spine radiography) shows the status of each vertebra, intervertebral disc and bony canal.
- Myelography is a more complex type of diagnosis. To this end, the coloring liquid is injected into the spinal canal. It helps to find spinal hernias.
- Discography is a similar process, but with it, fluid is injected into the disc.
- Pulmonary angiography. Here, air is used instead of liquid.
Computed tomography can detect compression of nerve roots and rupture of the contour of the intervertebral disc. For more serious cases, MRI may be required.
Disease treatment
The most important thing is to consult a doctor in time and take treatment seriously. In order to recover, you need to work hard and prevent recurrence for prevention. Lumbar spine treatment is a comprehensive approach. Here, the goal is not only to stop the development of the disease and reduce symptoms, but also to restore the spine to the correct position.
Experts usually prescribe analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs: NSAIDs, analgesics. Muscle relaxants can also be used. Their purpose is to eliminate cramps and discomfort caused by muscle tension.
Vasodilators can prevent congestion and improve blood circulation. Vitamins and minerals can strengthen the strength of bones, ligaments and tendons, and help remove water from the body. They are usually prescribed to the elderly.
Cartilage protective agents are also used in treatments to stop the destructive process of cartilage tissue and help regenerate. The drug is given by mouth, injection or rectal.
When the drug is injected into the affected area, paravertebral block is used to quickly relieve pain. But doctors try not to use them often. The body gradually got used to them, and the effect of the impact was reduced. In addition, due to obstruction, the muscle may shrink where the drug is injected.
Complex treatment methods also include exercise therapy. It improves the mobility of the spine and strengthens the muscles. Therapeutic exercise should be selected by a specialist and is usually prescribed after the acute illness has been relieved. The load is gradually increased to avoid aggravating the condition. In addition, if the patient wears a corset for a long time, gymnastics can be used.
An important part of treatment is massage. It is designed to relax and relieve pain and cramps. This process reduces muscle stiffness and has a good effect on the lymphatic circulation in the tissues around the lumbar spine.
Physical therapy methods are also used. In order to obtain the desired effect, it must be done regularly. Exposure to ultraviolet light eliminates cramps and pain affects blood circulation. Laser treatment improves the condition of the vertebral roots due to the influence of the helium-neon emitter. Spine stretching and the following methods are also used:
- Amplifier
- Voice input method
- Seepage current.
However, physical therapy also has contraindications-these are tumor diseases, central nervous system diseases. The main task of all these measures is to restore the lumbar spine to the correct anatomical position. Normally, the course takes an average of 2 to 3 months, but this depends on the specific circumstances.
Surgery for lower back osteochondrosis
Usually, surgery is used for complications such as hernias. Perform an intervertebral discectomy, which is to remove the damaged disc. Microsurgery and endoscopy are less traumatic to patients and the risk of complications is minimal.
During this intervention, a special small-diameter expander was used. Therefore, muscles and ligaments will not be damaged. On average, the process takes about an hour.
The time spent in the recovery period is less than the time after the disciplinary check. But here, the help of the patient is very important, and the patient must strictly abide by all the prescriptions of the neurosurgeon.
Additional treatment and preventive measures
Correcting lifestyle and habits is the first step in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. Rest and gentle recuperation are important to treatment. It is best to equip the bed with orthopedic mattresses and pillows, and it is best to put a special roller under the neck. Avoid prolonged periods of hypothermia. Getting up suddenly is not advisable.
Sometimes it is recommended to use a special fixed waist. It can keep your back in the correct position, but not all experts approve its long-term wear. This can cause muscle atrophy in the spine. It is most often used during the worsening of the disease. The corset model is not universal, and in each case, only the doctor should choose the accessory.
In addition to treatment, it is important to follow the many measures a doctor may recommend. This is the normalization of body weight, and the nutrients that are useful here are useful. It is best to eliminate heavy fat foods from the diet or reduce their consumption.
For lumbar osteochondrosis, it is recommended to reject such products:
- Carbonated drinks.
- Salt and sugar.
- Coffee and spices.
- alcohol.
It is best to add to the diet: marine fish, vegetable oils, dairy products, vegetables, fruits and herbs. Jelly meat, jelly including gelatin will be useful. It is best to steam food.
Walking and swimming are also good for the spine, it will be very helpful for your posture monitoring. After the treatment process is over, these are necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of osteochondrosis.
Folk remedies and alternative methods
Ointments and compresses are made of plant materials to relieve pain and inflammation. Commonly used to grind red tin. Liquid ointment can be made with mustard powder, camphor alcohol and egg white. Use at night.
They can be made into dressings with honey and aloe or cabbage leaves, used for this and as a decoction for cow leaves.
There are other treatment options:
- hirudotherapy (using water lee);
- Manual and vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture.
All these funds are best used after consulting the attending doctor.
Self-medication or ignoring the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis may lead to more serious spinal diseases. Therefore, you should not start to get sick, because the sooner you start treatment, the faster and easier the problem can be solved.