Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine has been noted among pathological processes in the tissues of the axial skeleton, whose symptoms and treatment have their own characteristics. The frequency of disease diagnosis does not decrease over time. What is lumbar spine osteochondrosis? 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 and 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 exposed to maximum stress. As a result, the high frequency of diagnosing osteochondrosis in this area of the spine is not accidental.
The causes of lumbar osteochondrosis have long been identified and well studied. The disease can manifest in patients from 30 years of age. 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 work ability, quality of life and disability.
Sick patients are strictly forbidden to hypothermia and strenuous physical activity. Weightlifting, speed skating, running, jumping, horseback riding, aerobics, motor sports are contraindications for osteochondrosis.
Causes of the disease
Numerous 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 lumbar spine osteochondrosis, including dorsalgia of the back, cause discomfort, discomfort and stiffness of movement.
Among the reasons for the development of pathology should be noted:
- increased loads on the spine in the lumbar spine due to certain conditions for performing work tasks, repairs, lifting weights during training by professional athletes and amateurs;
- performing sharp, complex movements;
- overweight, which predetermines the symptoms of lumbar pathology in women and men;
- body hypothermia;
- improper posture, causing uneven load distribution on the axial skeleton;
- sedentary lifestyle, which negatively affects the elasticity, the blood supply of each vertebra;
- lack of ability to sit and move properly;
- congenital back pathology or back injuries as a result of sports, falls from heights, traffic accidents;
- lack of a balanced diet enriched with vitamins, minerals, trace elements, as well as the organization of a proper diet, work, rest;
- regular stressful situations;
- hormonal disorders 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 spinal column tissue 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 area are also causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. Excluding a number of factors will help avoid the development of pathology. When you confirm the diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis, treatment is recommended immediately, without waiting for complications. Ignoring the advice of qualified professionals 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 part of the spine is an important part of the spine. And timely diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis, whose treatment is recommended to start as early as possible, eliminates the risk of unpleasant consequences. Degenerative-dystrophic disease of the axial skeleton has certain symptoms.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are included in a separate list. The most common are:
- inability to make bends backwards, turning the hull;
- reduction of flexibility, mobility of the lumbar spine, which can be treated at home, following the doctor's recommendations;
- depression;
- increased fatigue, irritability, nervousness, which is manifested in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, whose symptoms and treatment have their own characteristics;
- dorsalgia in the lumbar region, which causes problems with urination, defecation and daily hygiene procedures;
- occurrence of problems during night rest;
- increased sweating;
- appearance of tingling and cold in the lower extremities.
Such signs of lumbar osteochondrosis indicate the need to seek the help of a qualified specialist. Vertebrologists will always help cure this disease, improve the lives of patients, 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 appropriate treatment causes the development of complications and accompanying pathologies of the internal organs of patients. Timely diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, whose symptoms indicate the need to seek the help of a vertebrologist, eliminates the risk of their occurrence. Ignoring the doctor's advice leads to new problems with health, well-being and quality of life.
Complications of lumbar spine osteochondrosis, which should be treated 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 in the kidney area and resembles dorsalgia in the lumbar spine;
- protrusions and hernial protrusions of the intervertebral discs and the spine itself;
- radiculitis, acute and chronic lumbodinia, disability.
Unpleasant consequences of osteochondrosis of the lower back, in the absence of proper treatment, lead to mental disorders, depressive states and deterioration of the quality of life not only of the patient himself, but also those around him, relatives, close people. It is also desirable to have information on how to determine osteochondrosis.
Stages of the disease
When asked if it is possible to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, vertebrologists give a positive answer, provided that they seek medical help in a timely manner. There are four stages of disease development, each of which manifests at a certain time and has its own characteristics. These include:- Phase 1pathology, characterized by mild feelings of pain, aggravated by physical exertion, discomfort in the lumbar region, the beginning of the destruction of intervertebral discs;
- Stage 2disease, characterized by a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae due to pathological changes in the fibrous rings, constricted nervous processes, the appearance of severe pain in lumbar osteochondrosis;
- Stage 3diseases whose features include severe destruction of fibrous rings, formation of hernial protrusions, noticeable deformation of the axial skeleton;
- Stage 4disease, characterized by severe motor problems in a patient who is forced to treat osteochondrosis of the lower back at home or in a hospital wall, as well as the risk of becoming disabled.
Diagnosis of pathology
Patients are advised to know which doctor is treating 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 adoption of diagnostic measures. Their list includes:
- clinical, biochemical blood test;
- X-ray which provides the possibility of obtaining information about the condition of the axial skeleton and prescribing the correct treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis at home or in the hospital;
- computed tomography, which is characterized by lower radiation on the body, allows a more thorough examination of the pathological zone of the axial skeleton and the answer to 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, whose symptoms indicate the presence of back problems, and also provide an opportunity to prescribe the correct treatment of axial skeletal pathology.
How to deal with osteochondrosis and how to get rid of its symptoms
Vertebrologists who know how to treat lumbar axial osteochondrosis at home will always come to the aid of sick patients. After receiving the results of the examination of the pathological zone of the spine, numerous measures were prescribed to alleviate 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 identified, which can be manifested in the background of taking medication.
The main measures aimed at effective treatment of osteochondrosis include:
- drug therapy based on the intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hydroprotectors, muscle relaxants, vitamin complexes, phytopreparations;
- performing blockades that remove severe pain in lumbar osteochondrosis, whose symptoms have their own characteristics;
- water treatments and stretching of the axial skeleton, which is recommended to work regularly;
- medical massage;
- Exercise therapy, which is prescribed to strengthen the muscular framework, the vertebrae become more mobile and there is no question of how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis;
- using traditional medicine recipes.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lower back is carried out in the background of a balanced diet and nutrition. Cessation of 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.