Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is observed among the pathological processes in the tissues of the axial skeleton, whose symptoms and treatment have their own characteristics. The frequency of diagnosis of the disease does not decrease with time. What is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine? 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 subject to maximum tension. As a result, the high frequency of diagnoses of osteochondrosis in this area of the spine is not accidental.
The causes of lumbar osteochondrosis have been identified and well studied for a long time. The disease can manifest itself in patients from the age of 30. But the older generation and the representatives of the strong half of the world community are much more likely to encounter pathology.
Timely treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis offers an opportunity to prevent declining work capacity, quality of life and disability.
Sick patients are strictly prohibited from hypothermia and intense physical activities. Weight lifting, speed skating, running, jumping, horseback riding, aerobics, motor sports are contraindications for osteochondrosis.
Causes of the disease
Several 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 osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, including back pain, cause discomfort, discomfort and rigidity of movement.
Among the reasons for the development of the pathology, it should be noted:
- increased loads on the spine in the lumbar spine due to certain conditions of carrying out work tasks, repair work, weight lifting during training by professional athletes and amateurs;
- execution of complex and acute movements;
- overweight, which predetermines the symptoms of lumbar pathology in women and men;
- body hypothermia;
- incorrect posture, causing uneven load distribution in the axial skeleton;
- sedentary lifestyle, which has a negative effect on elasticity, blood supply to each vertebra;
- lack of ability to sit and move properly;
- congenital pathologies or back injuries as a result of sports, falls from a height, transport accidents;
- lack of a balanced nutritional diet enriched with vitamins, minerals, microelements, as well as the organization of the correct diet, work, rest regime;
- regular stressful situations;
- hormonal disturbance in the female body during pregnancy and menopause;
- violation of metabolic processes in the patient's body;
- genetic predisposition, which determines the loose porous structure of the spinal tissues and accelerates their degenerative-dystrophic changes;
- dependence on alcoholic beverages, smoking tobacco products, which accelerate the aging process of the human body.
Flat feet, constant use of uncomfortable shoes, lack of vitamins, poor environmental conditions in the surrounding space are also the causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. The exclusion of several factors will help to prevent the development of pathologies. When confirming the diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis, it is recommended to treat it immediately, without expecting complications. Ignoring the advice of qualified specialists leads to back pain 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 bottom of the column is an important part of the column. And the timely diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis, whose treatment is recommended as soon as possible, eliminates the risk of developing unpleasant consequences. Degenerative dystrophic disease of the axial skeleton has some symptoms.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are included in a special list. The most common are:
- inability to perform retroflections, torso turns;
- decreased flexibility, mobility of the lumbar spine, which can be treated at home, following the doctor's recommendations; depression
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- increased fatigue, irritability, nervousness, which is manifested in lumbar spine osteochondrosis, whose symptoms and treatment have their own characteristics;
- back pain in the lower back, which causes problems when urinating, defecating, performing daily hygiene procedures;
- the appearance of problems during night rest;
- increased sweating;
- the appearance of a tingling and cold sensation in the lower extremities.
These signs of lumbar osteochondrosis indicate the need to seek help from a qualified specialist. Vertebrologists will always help to cure this disease, to make patients' lives better, relieving them of back pain, 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 proper treatment causes the development of complications and concomitant pathologies of the patients' internal organs. The timely diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, whose symptoms indicate the need to seek help from a vertebrologist, eliminates the risk of its occurrence. Ignoring the advice of the attending physician leads to new health, well-being and quality of life problems.
Complications of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, which should be treated after confirmation of the diagnosis, without waiting for back pain, include:
- violation of the menstrual cycle in women and sexual activity in men;
- varicose veins and spasms of the arteries of the feet;
- dysfunction of the genitourinary system;
- sciatic nerve irritation and neuralgia;
- pain that manifests in the kidney region and resembles back pain in the lumbar spine;
- hernial protrusions and protrusions of the intervertebral discs and the spine itself;
- radiculitis, acute and chronic lumbodynia, deficiency.
The unpleasant consequences of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, in the absence of correct treatment, lead to mental disorders, depressive conditions and deterioration in the quality of life not only of the patient himself, but also of those around him, relatives, close people. It is also desirable that they have information on how to determine osteochondrosis.
Stages of the disease
Vertebrologists, when asked about the possibility of curing lumbar spine osteochondrosis, respond positively, provided they seek timely medical care. They distinguish four stages of development of the disease, each of which manifests itself at a specific time and has its own characteristics. This includes:
- 1st phasepathology, which is distinguished by sensations of mild pain, aggravated by physical effort, discomfort in the lumbar region, beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral discs;
- 2nd stageof the disease, characterized by a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae due to pathological changes in the fibrous rings, pinched nervous processes, the appearance of severe pain in lumbar osteochondrosis;
- 3rd stageof the disease, whose marks include severe destruction of the fibrous rings, the formation of hernial protrusions, a noticeable deformation of the axial skeleton;
- 4th stageof the disease, characterized by serious problems with the motor capacity of a patient who is forced to treat lumbar osteochondrosis at home or inside the walls of a hospital, as well as the risk ofbecome invalid.
Diagnosis of pathology
Patients are advised to know which doctor treats spinal osteochondrosis and how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis at home. The vertebrologist, after collecting the anamnesis, an external examination of the sick, prescribes the passage of diagnostic measures. Your list includes:
- clinical, biochemical blood test;
- radiography, which allows 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 a lower radiation load on the body, allows a more in-depth examination of the pathological zone of the axial skeleton and answers the question whether osteochondrosis can be treated at this stage of development;
- Magnetic resonance imaging, based on the use of electromagnetic radiation, in addition to providing an absolutely painless and 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 a back problem, and also offer the opportunity to prescribe the correct treatment for the pathology of the axial skeleton.
How to deal with osteochondrosis and how to get rid of its symptoms
Vertebrologists who know how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar axial skeleton at home will always help sick patients. After receiving the results of the examination of the pathological zone of the spine, a series of measures are prescribed to relieve the symptoms of the disease and prevent the development of complications. The treatment schemes for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are developed taking into account the age of the patient, the structural characteristics of the axial skeleton. Allergies are also determined, which can manifest themselves in the context of taking medications.
The main measures aimed at the effective treatment of osteochondrosis include:
- drug therapy based on the intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hodroprotectors, muscle relaxants, vitamin complexes, phytopreparations;
- perform blocks that eliminate the severe pain of lumbar osteochondrosis, whose symptoms, the treatment of which has its own characteristics;
- water treatments and stretching of the axial skeleton, which are recommended regularly;
- medical massage;
- exercise therapy, which is prescribed to strengthen the muscle structure, make the vertebrae more mobile and not pose the question of how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis;
- using traditional medicine recipes.
The treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is carried out in the context of a balanced diet. Abandoning bad habits is also a necessary measure to prevent disease progression. Orthopedic prevention of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine offers an opportunity to avoid surgery.