Back pain often occurs in a person due to the formation of improper posture while walking and sitting at the desk. But it is also one of the consequences of damage to the intervertebral discs, cartilaginous tissues and nerve fibers, as a result of which osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine develops.
With lumbar osteochondrosis, degenerative changes occur in the lumbosacral spine. If the disease is not treated for a long time, the patient's general well-being worsens: persistent back pain, numbness of the limbs, muscle cramps and cramps, general weakness and loss of strength.
How does the pathology develop?
During the development of the disease, degenerative-dystrophic and destructive disorders occur in the skeleton of the patient's spinal column. As a result, the anatomy and physiology of the articular elements of the spine changes. The lumbar spine of a person takes on the main load in the form of the weight of the upper body of a person, loads during movement, training or performing any physical activity. As a result of the above, the following changes occur:
- the axis of the spinal column is distorted;
- posture changes;
- bones press against internal organs. This leads to the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- impaired coordination due to pinching of nerve endings;
- changes in the structure of the spinal column;
- cartilage thinning;
- synovial fluid structure is filled with third party components;
- the vertebrae are abraded, which reduces the distance between them;
- when the vertebrae touch, nerves are pinched - this leads to acute pain.
Athletes who lead an overly active lifestyle, people with a sedentary lifestyle (staying in one unchanged state for a long time, they create an increased load on the spine) are at risk of developing low back osteochondrosis, representatives of manual labor professions who workwith heavy instruments, the elderly, pregnant women, hyperactive children.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
- acute lower back pain after a night's sleep;
- pain when turning the body suddenly or lifting heavy things;
- the first signs of scoliosis appear;
- frequent urination;
- pain radiates to the legs, internal organs of the abdomen and small pelvis;
- acute pain in the kidneys and sacrum;
- Difficulty moving, walking, bending and turning the trunk;
- rapid fatigability after light exercise;
- limb numbness;
- muscle spasms and cramps;
- dizziness;
- decreased muscle tone and sensitivity.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region
- incorrectly distributed back load;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- slouching posture;
- staying in the same position for a long time;
- congenital curvature of the spine;
- exercise too often;
- overweight;
- impaired blood flow in the spinal column;
- injuries, bruises, fractures of limbs or vertebrae;
- infections of internal organs.
Stages of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Stage 1 - all degenerative disorders are just beginning to develop in the patient's skeleton. But at the same time, the roots of the nerve endings are already affected. Blood flow deteriorates and inflammation begins. It manifests itself as back pain after intense exertion, which often radiates to the legs.
Stage 2 - the fibrous ring in the spine collapses, the cartilage becomes thinner, and the distance between the vertebrae is reduced. Stage II pain is sharper and more acute.
Stage 3 - there is a strong compression of muscle fibers and nerve endings. There are burning pains and muscle spasms, as well as frequent numbness.
Stage 4 - the period of growth of neoplasms (osteophytes) in the bone structure. Arthrosis appears in the spine and joints. The back becomes inactive, and in the absence of correct treatment, completely motionless.
How is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine diagnosed?
Diagnosis of pathology begins with a specialist consultation. At the first manifestations of osteochondrosis, consult a rheumatologist, neuropathologist, surgeon or traumatologist-orthopedist. If you are at a loss with the choice of a doctor, you should initially consult with a therapist. Depending on the symptoms and the suspected causes of the pathology, he will refer you to one of the narrow profile specialists.
- The doctor will study your medical history and the frequency of their occurrence, you need to provide the specialist with a complete medical history and the results of earlier studies (if any). The specialist will perform visual inspection and palpation.
- During the examination, the doctor pays special attention to changes in posture, muscle tone, skin sensitivity and identifies the most painful areas. The purpose of the conversation is to find out the degree of development of the disease. If you have any questions, a specialist will advise you and conduct an examination.
- Will direct you for tests, because it is the complete diagnostics that will make the correct diagnosis.
- Based on the results of the tests received, the doctor will prescribe an individual treatment plan.
To identify the condition of muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, to detect inflammation or tumors, an informative and safe diagnostic method is prescribed - MRI of the lumbar spine. During the MRI of osteochondrosis, the patient lies on a special retractable table with his back. Rollers are placed on the patient's head to relieve muscle tension, and the limbs are fixed with straps. Any slight movement during the procedure can affect the quality of the result. Then the table drives into the tomograph area. The procedure does not cause pain. The tomograph makes a lot of noise during scanning, so you can use headphones to avoid discomfort.
If MRI is contraindicated, there are other diagnostic methods such as computed tomography and radiography. X-ray is only suitable for primary diagnosis and does not provide a layer-by-layer image of the affected tissue. However, this study is the simplest and most economical, allowing to examine the patient's body in several projections. Due to the strong radiation exposure to the body, X-rays cannot be taken frequently.
Computed tomography scans with one or more beams of ionizing rays. They pass through the human body and are recorded by detectors. The detectors move along the patient's body in opposite directions and record up to 6 million signals. Tissues of different density are displayed on the image with an accurate definition of the boundaries of organs and the affected areas in the form of a section. The procedure allows you to get a layered image.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Depending on the stage of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, different treatments may be prescribed. One of these methods is physiotherapy exercises. It is held in a specially equipped room under the close supervision of a doctor. Classes are held when the patient is not in pain. But if during physical education the patient begins to feel worse, the doctor corrects or even cancels the exercise.
Physical therapy is another method of treating lumbar osteochondrosis. It improves blood circulation and tissue nutrition, reduces inflammation and relieves pain. Among the physiotherapy procedures are:
- Electrophoresis - pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs are used, the procedure reduces the neurological manifestations of the disease.
- Magnetic therapy - alternating magnetic field relieves inflammation.
- Ultrasound therapy - works along the affected spine.
- Diadynamic therapy - the impact on the affected areas occurs with the help of currents of different intensities.
- Hirudotherapy - treatment with leeches. Their effect improves microcirculation, metabolism of nutrients in the tissues of the back.
- Kinesiotaping - Cotton patch treatment.
Drug treatment - prescribed in extreme cases with the use of analgesics (have anesthetic or additional anti-inflammatory effect), antispasmodics (relieve muscle spasms), vasodilator drugs (improve blood microcirculation).