Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic change in cartilage, which occurs due to aging processes and adverse external exposure.Most often, it appears in intervertebral discs, so the most common types of osteochondrosis are lumbar, cervical and chest.Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region leads to the appearance of pain and curvature of the spine, so you need to start high -quality and qualified treatment as soon as possible.In the article we will consider the main symptoms and methods of treating osteochondrosis of the lumbar.
Description of the disease
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is characterized by dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs(thinning, deformation, loss of elasticity).As a result, pain occurs, performance and mobility are lost.Not a single person is protected from the disease.The human spine constantly experiences a vertical load.Adverse factors (sedentary lifestyle, excessive physical activity) only aggravate the situation.A certain percentage of people after 30-35 years begins to experience discomfort in the lumbar region.
The reasons for the development
There are many factors that can cause osteochondrosis.Most often, the disease occurs due to the predisposition and uneven load on the spine.In addition, the causes of dystrophic changes in the cartilage are: become:
- A sedentary lifestyle;
- presenceScoliosis;
- Weak muscle tone;
- constantStress;
- lack of micro- and macroelements in nutrition;
- ProfessionalGreat sports.
The presence of the above factors in a person’s life significantly increases the likelihood of osteochondrosis even at a relatively young age.
Symptoms
The main symptom of the disease is pain in the lumbar region.The following manifestations arise depending on the lesion stage:
- The first stage-almost complete absence of any signs, fatigue may occur;
- The second stage- periodical pain in the lower back;
- The third stage- constant pain, curvature and the appearance of a hump;
- The fourth stage- expressed pain syndrome for any movement, displacement of the vertebrae.
Osteochondrosis is quite easy to determine by the main symptom.If a person periodically encounters pain in the lower back, you need to visit a doctor.
At the fourth stage of the disease, a person can completely lose working capacity and become a disabled person.
Diagnostics
To identify the disease, hardware examinations and diagnostic tests are used.First of all, the doctor conducts a visual examination and testing.It is important to exclude diseases with similar symptoms.To determine the degree of damage are used:
- MRI;
- X -ray;
- Ct.
After examining and conducting various tests, a preliminary diagnosis is made.Using a hardware examination, it is possible to accurately establish the cause of malaise.Osteochondrosis at the first stage can only be detected using computed or magnetic resonance imaging.
Reflex Lacega
Lacega reflex is a symptom that is detected only with neurological and dystrophic pathologies of the spine.The presence of the Lages reflex is determined by the neuropathologist.This happens as follows: a person accepts the position of lying down;The doctor raises the straightened leg up.If a person has more than 30 degrees when raising a leg, pain occurs, then the test is considered positive.For the test, special devices are not required, so it is carried out even during the initial examination.
Correctly conduct a test to identify the symptom of Lasaga only a doctor.Using this test, you can almost accurately determine the area of damage.
Knee reflex
This sample is almost always carried out on an initial inspection.The essence of the reflex is that if a person is pressed by straightened knees to a flat surface, he has pain syndrome.It is worth noting that this test is not always positive with dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, but it does not require much time to spend.With a positive result, the doctor may make a preliminary diagnosis of osteochondrosis.
Hardware methods
Hardware examinations are the most effective in diagnosing osteochondrosis.Computer or magnetic resonance imaging is used.An X -ray examination of the lumbar region will also help to make a diagnosis.These methods will allow to evaluate the degree of damage and the distance between the vertebrae.In addition, with their help, complications can be diagnosed, which often occur during illness (hernia, curvature).
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis should be complex.When therapy, you need to adhere to the following principles:
- exclusion of provoking factors;
- elimination of related pathologies;
- removal of inflammation;
- Stimulating the restoration of cartilage.
The success of treatment depends not only on the doctor, but also on the person.It will be necessary to observe the regime, engage in physiotherapy exercises, go to physiotherapy.Part of the medication is used only in the acute period.
Throughout therapy, it is necessary to exclude vertical loads on the spine, as this can aggravate the pathology.
Medication
Medicines are used in the acute period of the course of the disease.The main task is to get rid of pain and inflammation.For this, drugs in the form of ointments, injections and tablets can be used.The following classes of drugs are used:
- analgesics;
- non -steroidal anti -inflammatory;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- Vasodilators.
Specific drugs are selected by the doctor.Injection of NSAIDs in the affected area will help to relieve pain quickly.Chondroprotectors will contribute in a stop of dystrophic changes and will launch the recovery process.With the help of medicines, you can effectively fight osteochondrosis of only the first and second stages, more complex treatment methods are used for more complex cases.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
Physiotherapy helps to get rid of minor pains and consolidate the result of drug treatment.The following procedures are applied:
- phonophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- impact of vibration;
- Dutoenzor-therapy.
Most procedures can be carried out only during remission.The moment when using physiotherapy is most expediently determined by the doctor.To achieve the therapeutic effect, you need to visit the physiotherapy cabinet regularly.At least 7-10 procedures are required to obtain persistent improvement.
Manual therapy
With the help of manual therapy, it is possible to get rid of stiffness, muscle spasms and pain.A direct effect on the affected area with hands allows you to create conditions for the speedy restoration of the spine.With osteochondrosis, it is possible to remove the load that can occur due to improper posture.The manual specialist acts on the lumbar and the whole back with massage movements.The effect of manual therapy is noticeable after several procedures.
Manual therapy should be carried out only by a qualified specialist who has all the necessary certificates.The improper impact on the spine will aggravate the situation.
Medical physical education
A person with osteochondrosis should strive to correct posture and strengthen the muscle corset.The LFK complex can be used during remission.The following exercises can be performed:
- Knee and take the emphasis lying down.Perform the head and bend the lower back, then lower the head, returning to its original position.Repeat 8-10 times.
- Lie on your back.Alternately bend the legs in the knee joint.Repeat 10-12 times.
As the muscles strengthens, the load may increase.Static exercises can be used to strengthen the lumbar muscles.A specific complex is selected based on the individual characteristics of a person and the degree of lesion of osteochondrosis.After achieving persistent remission, you need to continue to engage in physical education.This is one of the best prevention of the disease.
Folk recipes
Various natural compresses can be used to relieve pain and inflammation.Among the most effective recipes are highlighted:
- Compress from mustard and vodka.It will require 50 g of dry mustard, 100 ml of vodka and 50 ml of campaire alcohol.The components are mixed and insisted for 10 hours.A rag is moistened in the resulting liquid and applied to the affected area for 20-25 minutes 2 times a day.The course of treatment is 7-10 days.
- Compress of raw potatoes and honey.Clean and grind the potato, then mix it with honey.Put the resulting consistency on the lumbar region, cover with polyethylene and fix it.The compress is kept for 30-45 minutes.
Heating compresses will help get rid of pain.Persistent improvement is possible when combining with other treatment methods.
Surgical intervention
Surgical intervention is an extreme measure that is used in case of irreversible changes in the tissues.Using the operation, the cause of pain is eliminated.Most often, a discoctomy is carried out, during which the intervertebral disk compressing the nerve is partially or completely eliminated.A specific type of surgical intervention is selected individually.It is worth noting that it is quite difficult to carry out any operation on the spine.
The therapeutic effect of a single surgical intervention is not always achieved.If a person pulled with treatment for a long time, several operations may be required.
Prevention
A person can easily prevent or stop the development of osteochondrosis using prevention.The following actions will be required:
- useorthopedic mattresses and pillows;
- Follow the posture, especially with a sedentary lifestyle;
- useExercise therapy;
- engage in swimming;
- Balanced to eat;
- visit the masseur.
It will also be necessary to regularly undergo preventive examinations using modern hardware methods.And with a predisposition to osteochondrosis, it is desirable not to engage in severe sports.This applies to the prevention of not only osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, but also intervertebral osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.
Possible complications
First of all, osteochondrosis is aggravated by severe pain.During the development of the disease, the distance between the vertebrae decreases.In the end, this leads to a pinching of the nerve and acute pain syndrome.In addition,The following complications may appear:
- protrusion;
- intervertebral hernias;
- violation of blood supply to the spinal cord;
- paralysis.
The earlier a person begins treatment, the less likely to encounter any complication of osteochondrosis.The most dangerous are the protrusion of cervical osteochondrosis, but this does not mean that in the lumbar region they are less dangerous.
Conclusions
- Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease in which the elasticity and mobility of the spine discs is lost.
- The disease is launched against a background of low activity, severe scoliosis or due to an unbalanced diet.
- With a competent therapeutic approach, you can completely stop the development of dystrophic changes.However, severe forms of the disease are treated through surgical intervention.
- For prevention, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor posture and avoid heavy loads.
- If you start the course of the disease,there is a risk of serious complications up to paralysis.