One of the most common problems in the spine is non -specific pain on the back of the back.According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 26 to 32% of the adult population suffers from chronic back pain.A common cause of such pain is osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is premature wear and tear and aging of intervertebral discs and vertebrae.Osteochondrosis can occur in any part of the spine: cervical, chest, lumbar or lumbar.The lumbar segment is most often affected and lumbar osteochondosis is developing.If you are not starting to treat in time, the disease can affect several departments at a time.
Osteochondrosis in the lumbar region is a chronic degenerative disease in which the cartilage tissue of intervertebral discs in the lumbar region is destroyed.There are two main parts in the intervertebral disc: the nucleus and the fibrous ring.With an increased load, these structures are destroyed, which leads to the compression of the nerves and the appearance of acute pain.
Since the disease develops slowly, its signs are difficult to notice at first.The patient is not careful or does not even understand exactly where it hurts.For this reason, they often come to the doctor when the intervertebral hernia develops.
The causes of osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondosis, like most diseases of the musculoskeletal system, has a non-infectious etiology.The risk factors for the development of osteochondrosis are mainly associated with the motor activity of a person, a lifestyle, professional working conditions as well as heredity.Let us be around the main and perhaps the most important factors.
Posture violation and reduction of motor activity.Given the modern rhythm of life, people have to be in one position for a long time, whether it is office work, driving a car or study.For this reason, a large number of people have problems with the violation of the posture, including scoliosis.When the posture is broken, the load on the spine is distributed unevenly: some discs are loaded more than others.The lumbar region suffers more than others.And in the case of the lumbar department, this charge is several times more than on the other departments.
Excessive physical activity.When a person does not sport and their back muscles are weak, intense training can harm.Exercises with an additional burden and excessive load in the lumbar region cause injuries, the intervertebral discs wear out in advance.
Excess of body weight and obesityIncrease the axial load on the spine.At the same time, the nutrition of intervertebral discs is disturbed because of the dystrophic processes.
Age -related changes.After 60 years, fabric restoration processes slow down, so in the elderly, the probability of developing higher intervertebral hernias.
Hereditary factors.If a person is naturally disturbed by the properties of cartilage and bone tissue, then his osteochondrosis develops earlier and will progress will be faster.
The first signs and main symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The intervertebral discs soften the shocks while walking, running and jumping.Due to the structural changes that accompany lumbar osteochondrosis, this suffering function.
When the intervertebral discs of osteochondrosis become thinner, this leads to an increase in the vulnerability of nerves and blood vessels.The nerves are pinched and their nutrition is disturbed, acute pain and other symptoms of lumbar osteochondosis appear.
Douin in the lower and chronic back of the back- This is the main complaint with lumbar osteochondosis.Personal activity, hypothermia, uncomfortable installation can cause pain.Sometimes the pain extends to the whole back and leg.
Tingling, burning and numbness (paraesthesia) in the lower back and legs-The frequent symptoms of lumbar osteochondosis, which appears due to the compression of the nerves.
Increase in the tone of the back muscles in the lumbar regionIt can increase pain and lead to a decrease in mobility.
Lumbar osteochondrosis stages
Changes in cartilage and bone tissue occur slowly.Depending on the prevalence of the pathological process, four stages of lumbar osteochondosis are distinguished.
1st step.It is the start of the disease (chondrosis).The location of the gelatinous core of the disc with respect to the fibers of the fibrous ring changes.This leads to the irritation of nerves and pain.Sometimes nothing hurts at this stage.
Step 2.Due to the displacement of the discs, the intervertebral gap is reduced, the cracks appear in the discs.The nerves are compressed and the patient suffers from acute pain in the lower back.
Step 3.The intervertebral discs are completely damaged, a fibrous ring is destroyed.At this stage, the risk of developing an intervertebral hernia is high.Pain intensifies, appears more often and has a different character: from acute pain to chronic pain.
4th step.The disease applies to nearby tissues.In the lumbar region, mobility is reduced, pain occurs even with minor changes in body position.At this stage, intervertebral hernias develop and the risk of compression of nerves and blood vessels in the lumbar region is high.
Lumbar osteochondrosis diagnosis
If you are tormented by acute pain in the lower back and rest, numb the legs - contact a neurologist.He will make an inspection, will determine the probable cause of pain and prescribe the necessary diagnosis.
The main research methods are radiography and tomography.
- View, observation and functional radiography of the spine in two projections.This method allows you to assess the state of the spine, but soft tissues (for example, muscles) and cartilage in images are not displayed.
- Computed tomography allows you to get more information, because the images are obtained in different projections.Based on the study results, the doctor can determine the degree of damage to the lumbar column.
- Magnetic resonance imaging is "gold stallion" for the precise diagnosis of "lumbar osteochondosis".According to MRI, the doctor can assess the state of soft tissues and identify the hernia between the vertebrae.
Lumbar osteochondrosis treatment
After making a diagnosis, the neurologist individually selects treatment.It depends on the stage of the disease and the severity of the symptoms.Most patients are helped by complete conservative treatment (drug treatment, physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises).If the patient is not better and serious complications develop, the operation is prescribed.
Preservative
Conservative treatment tasks:
- Stop the pain.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Prevent the development of complications.
- Reduce the load on the spine by strengthening the back muscles.
- Reduce nerves compression.
- In the intervertebral hernia - create conditions for its absorption and natural healing.
In the acute phase of the disease, the doctor mainly reduces pain and inflammation with pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.After that, the neurologist establishes an individual program made up of physiotherapy, manual therapy and physiotherapy exercises.
PhysiotherapyIt is based on the use of physical factors: cold, heat, electric current, magnetic radiation, laser, etc.They help reduce the intensity of pain and improve tissue nutrition, which contributes to their natural restoration.
Kines NichotherapyIt is active (exercise therapy) and passive (massage, traction).It allows you to strengthen back muscles, relieve muscle tension, improve microcirculation and activate recovery processes.
Manual therapy and massageRemove an increased muscle tone in the lower back, restore mobility.For this reason, the nutrition of the damaged area improves and the degree of pinch of the nerves decreases.
RegistrationOr a kinesiological recording is based on the use of elastic plaster, which are glued to the skin to weaken or improve muscle tone.Thus, the muscular framework is reinforced, microcirculation in the lumbar region improves and the distribution of the load on the spine is standardized.
Laser therapyIt is based on the use of low -intensity laser radiation and its positive effects on the functioning of cells.It contributes to the natural restoration of intervertebral discs by improving their nutrition.
Plasma therapy(PRP therapy) -a method to improve regeneration processes.Patient purified plasma injections stimulate his immunity.
Reflexotherapy, acupunctureImprove blood supply in affected areas, reduce pain.
Shock waves therapy- This is the effect of high frequency waves in the affected area.It stimulates natural tissue regeneration processes and improves tissue nutrition.
Orthopedics- Individual selection of corsets for additional support for the spine.Allows you to partially compensate for the load on the spine.When you wear a corset, the pain decreases, the mobility and the quality of the patient's life increases.
Lumbar osteochondosis is a chronic disease.It is important that the patient changes his way of life and learns to live with this disease.To do this, there are special educational programs that can improve the quality of the patient's life.
The positive effect of conservative treatment is obtained in 2 to 3 months.If such treatment is ineffective, the operation is prescribed.
Operation
With the development of intervertebral hernies of the lumbar department, mini-invasive surgical operations are carried out.The choice in the direction of neurosurgical treatment is made with special indications, in a serious life, threatening the life of the patient.
Operation is a complex invasive treatment method associated with risks.During or after surgery, complications can develop.And the success of the treatment also depends on postoperative rehabilitation, which includes methods of conservative therapy and orthopedic correction.
Do not postpone the treatment
Lumbar osteochondosis is a progressive disease.If it is not detected in time and does not start to treat it, it can lead to a handicap and a decrease in quality of life.Over time, several parts of the spine are affected, the pain made of acute goes in chronic pain.
The timely prevention of symptoms and the treatment of lumbar osteochondosis in the initial stages can prevent the development of the disease and deterioration in the condition.