
Lumbar osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease and a lumbar spine dystrophic.With the development of the disease, the intervertebral disc suffers the most, the damage also extends to the surface, ligaments, vertebrae.
The part of the spinal column osteochondrosis is 80% of all peripheral nervous system diseases.In 60-80% of cases, this is lumbar osteochondrosis.At least 7 out of 10 people suffer from lower pain throughout their lives.For a better period, on average, 3 to 16 days a year.But the disease can and should be treated to maintain the high quality and health of the musculoskeletal system.We will tell you why the disease develops, how it shows itself, and what treatment of lumbar spinal osteochondrosis.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic spine, which is accompanied by structural changes (destruction) and decrease in the volume (distrophy) of the intervertebral disc.They begin to attach to the spinal cord and squeeze the blood vessels.In addition, the disease is characterized by the destruction of curved joints between spinous vertebral processes.
With osteochondrosis, osteophytes are also formed.This is the name of pathological growth, which is a result of marginal bone growth.He is facilitated by violations of calcium metabolism in the vertebra and high loads that cause their deformation.
Attention!Lumbar osteochondrosis is characterized by all pathological processes that exist in osteochondrosis in general.But they only affect the lumbar spinal column, which includes 5 vertebrae.
Reason -Secondary Development and Risk Factors
To understand the cause of osteochondrosis of the lumbar area, you need to know the spinal structure.It is a column consisting of vertebrae, which is connected to other disk and intervertebral ligaments.The hole in it forms a hollow channel.Inside is the spinal cord, the roots that come out between each vertebra pair.
When someone leans, the spine bends.In the folds, the intervertebral disc is compacted, and the core is moved.This reduces pressure on the spinal column during load.Therefore, the intervertebral disc is a biological shock absorber.When he stopped performing a shocking function, osteochondrosis develops.
The following factors are exposed to pathological development:
- Work that is inactive or too hard.In the sitting position, the corset muscles are relaxing, which increases the burden on the spine.Weight lifting leads to this.
- Hypodynamia.In people who lead the inactive lifestyle, the muscle corset is not strongly developed to hold the spine in the right position.
- Excessive weight.Excess weight press on the spinal column and burden it.
- Endocrine disease.Hormones affect metabolism, including intra -nationally.Hormone imbalance can cause a violation of calcium metabolism.
- Incorrect nutrition.Insufficient intake of vitamins, minerals and protein interferes with spinal nutrition and leads to changes in tissues.
- Pathology of the musculoskeletal system.Osteochondrosis can occur against flat foot background, injury and spinal column curvature.
- Genetic predisposition.The risk of developing osteochondrosis increases if it has close relatives.
- Age -related changes.With age, elasticity and mobility of spinal decrease.
In men, lumbar spinal osteochondrosis is more common.This is due to the fact that their work is often associated with heavy physical labor.Men also undergo a huge load during strength training at the gym.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
Pain is a major sign of the disease.The character, localization and direction of its distribution are determined by the receptor clamped to the spine.Usually, the patient complains of pain, which is increasing with the change in body position, the absence of a long change in the movement and the movement.With lumbar osteochondrosis, he often gives it to the feet, sacrums or thighs.In horizontal position, the pain decreases.
Symptoms of other lumbar osteochondrosis:
- The tension at the bottom arises from bending and extension.It is caused by the spinal cord.
- Feeling weak in the foot.Maybe the extinction of tendon reflexes in it.This is due to compressing nerve fibers that run signals from the brain to the lower limbs.
- Lumbar spinal column curvature to side (scoliosis) or forward (lordosis), smoothing natural turns (kyphosis).
- Volunteer crushing and drainage (if the spinal cord is clamped).For the same reason, erection may be affected in men.
- Cooling the lower back.The back can also be cool.This occurs with lumbosacral osteochondrosis, the same symptoms and treatment as the pathology, only localized at the bottom.
- Violation of sensitivity in the field of damage.They can last from minutes to several hours.Sensitivity can increase, decrease or disappear.Perhaps the development of paresthesia - a feeling of tingling and crawling goosebumps.
Lumbar spinal osteochondrosis, symptoms and treatment that we will analyze in this article, is a dangerous disease.It starts with discomfort and mild pain.But they were ignored because they quickly passed after the break.Over the years, the pathology lasted, the signs were enhanced.And only when the pain becomes unbearable, the patient seeks medical help.
Degrees of lumbar osteochondrosis
The development of lumbar osteochondrosis includes 4 stages:
- The first stage is characterized by the intervertebral disc core displacement.It is accompanied by poor back pain, increasing during movement.The short tingling on the back and the back is possible.
- In the second stage, the intervertebral disc fibrous ring is destroyed, leading to the transfer of vertebrae.They squeeze the nerves, which causes severe pain during walking.It can spread to the back, thighs and lower legs.If you bend back, the pain is lower than the burning, sometimes the cold.
- In the third stage, the destruction of a complete fibrous ring occurs.Propes (hernia) appear - highlighting the intervertebral disc in the spinal cord.Lumbar department vertebra is defective.The pain is always felt, but at rest it is weaker.
- In the last stage, osteophytes are formed, the spinal cord tissue is destroyed.The pain then decreases, then worsens with a renewed spirit.Body movement is limited.
Early diagnosis of lumbar area osteochondrosis, symptoms and interrelated treatments are very important.The less pathology of it, the more effective it is.Therefore, a doctor should visit when any inaccessible back pain and lower back appear.
The possibility of complications
If there is no treatment for 1 and 2 degrees of lumbar osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia is formed.This shows the transition of the disease to the final stage and threatens the development of complications such as:
- sciatic nerve inflammation;
- arthrosis (destruction) of intervertebral joints;
- the destruction of the intervertebral disc discs;
- narrowing the intervertebral channel;
- spinal dysfunction due to compression;
- horse tail syndrome;
- Hernia schmorl;
- deficiency and stiffness of movement.
Proper treatment will help prevent the formation of hernia with lumbar osteochondrosis and other complications.It is prescribed after the patient's diagnostic study.Otherwise, the disease will continue to develop, which can lead to the development of defects.
Diagnostic method
With back pain, you should contact a neurologist.He would hear complaints, check and feel his back, asking about the disease.In addition, the doctor may prescribe:
- X -ray.Picture X -ray spinal column will help assess the state of the intervertebral disc and spinal cord.In the absence of visible changes, lumbar osteochondrosis in the first stage was diagnosed.
- Computer tomography (CT).Give it if X -ray has shown changes in the lumbar spine.With its help, you can assess the degree of damage to the disc, nerve endings and spinal cord.
- Magnetic resonance tomography (MRI).This is an alternative to CT, which can be prescribed with the presence of contraindications to the X -ray study.Ideal for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Sometimes resonance and magnetic tomography is done with intravenous administration of contrast.This is the name of the material that highlights the fabric from the inside.Thus, you can get the maximum quality spine picture.CT and MRI with contrast is done to exclude tumors with unclear symptoms for lumbar osteochondrosis, and treatment in this case is postponed to the final diagnosis.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis and its type
Doctors prescribe treatment taking into account the developmental stages of pathology.It is designed to relieve pain, stop the inflammation process, restore metabolism and blood circulation in the lesion area.With osteochondrosis of the lumbar department, treatment also involves the use of complex steps aimed at strengthening the lower back, feet and buttocks.
Most methods of treatment are conservative.They include drug therapy, physiotherapy procedures and physiotherapy training, folk remedies.When switching to 3 degrees, the treatment of lumbosacral spinal osteochondrosis with conservative methods does not always lead to the desired results.In this case, the patient's condition can facilitate surgery.
Treatment with medications
Drug therapy is effective at 1 and 2 stages of pathology.But it is important to remember that the selection of drugs is determined by the symptoms caused by lumbar osteochondrosis, and treatment is a treatment prescribed by medication.You cannot come to the pharmacy and ask for medication for osteochondrosis.Although it is sold to you, treatment will not work.
Patients can be shown the following drug groups:
- Analgesic.They help relieve intense pain in lumbar osteochondrosis.They can be used locally (ointment, gel), taken in (tablet) or administered intramuscularly using a syringe (solution).
- Nonsteroidal anti -inflammation.They have three times: reduce temperature, relieve pain, reduce inflammation.They are prescribed if, with lumbar osteochondrosis, lower back pain, or sciatic nerves.To relieve pain, gel is used locally, to fight inflammation, take pills or injections.
- Musorelaxants.This is the name of a remedy that relieves painful muscle cramps.They are taken orally in the form of tablets or administered intramuscularly in the form of a solution.
- Chondroprotectors.Provides lumbar osteochondrosis treatment with early stages, provided its full course is approved.These groups of drugs stop the destruction of intervertebral discs and regenerate them.
To restore intraosseous metabolism, patients are also prescribed vitamins and vitamin-mineral complexes.Doctors may also recommend compliance with diet.The goal is not only weight loss, but also body enrichment with protein, natural vitamins and minerals.
Physiotherapy
With lumbar spinal osteochondrosis, treatment with drugs is inadequate.It should also include physiotherapy methods.They relieve pain, relieve muscle and restore local metabolism.Often, the patient is prescribed the following procedure:
- laser therapy (exposure to spine with laser);
- magnetic resonance therapy (exposure to magnetic field);
- Darsonvalization (exposure to areas of damage to high rotating current);
- Phonophoresis (administration of medical solutions into layers of skin using ultrasound).
Manual therapy also has high efficiency.The back massage with lumbar osteochondrosis is prescribed after fading pain.It relaxes the muscles, accelerates blood circulation, and therefore nutrition.It is useful for combining massages with baths or sauna.But heating procedures are only allowed during the disease period.
Physical Education Medicine
Gymnastics for lumbar osteochondrosis include exercises aimed at strengthening muscle corsets.They also increase spinal mobility and improve blood circulation in the tissue.This stops the degenerative process and improves the patient's condition.
The basic complex of training therapy includes 5 exercises:
- Turn around.Strengthening the abdominal muscles.Lying on your back, bend your knees and cross your arms behind your head.Then take a deep breath and, take a deep breath, lift the trunk as if you want to touch the pubis.The lower back should continue to be pressed to the floor.
- "Cat" training.Loosen the back muscles, unloading the spine.Stand in the karachka (above your knees, relax with the palm of your hand on the floor).Raise your head and bend back the cat's way when it looks dangerous.Then lower your head and bend your back, like a cat when it wakes up.
- The turn is lying.Strengthening the muscles -oblique stomach and hip.Lie on your back, cross your arms behind your head, bend your knees and press them.Without releasing your feet, start turning it to the right, touch the floor with them, return to their original position and do the same to the left.The stem should remain moving.
- A bad bridge.Strengthen the back muscles, prevent the curvature of the spine and smooth the bend.Lying on the floor, place your arms along the body, bend your feet on your knees.Raise the pelvis and linger in this position for 5 seconds.
- Exercise to stretch the bottom and feet.Sit on the floor, stretch your feet in front of you, spreading your shoulders about the width.First, lean towards one foot, pull with your hands with the feet, feel how the muscles are stretching.Hold on to 20-30 seconds.Now do the same with the second leg.
You should start with the number of recurrence of the minimum training, gradually bring them to the maximum (3 approaches 10-20 times).They should be done daily.This is no more than 10-15 minutes, but helps prevent osteochondrosis.
Attention!Gymnastics is contraindicated in acute lower back pain.
Traditional medicine
At home, lumbar osteochondrosis treatment can be done by folk medicine.They will not replace drug therapy, but will be a good addition to it.In the table below, we provide some of the most effective recipes for traditional remedies for lumbar pain.
Boil water in a pan so that strong steam comes from there.Hold some burdock leaves for 10 minutes.Mean | Action | Cook | Application |
---|---|---|---|
Adam root tincture | Heating, analgesics. | Scars 200 g of root on fine grated, put in a jar and pour 0.5 liters of vodka.Put in a dark place and insist 5 days. | Rub the tincture to the lower back, place on a wool belt on top or a warm scarf. |
Compress from burdock leaves. | Anesthetic. | Boil water in a pan so that strong steam comes from there.Hold some burdock leaves for 10 minutes. | Apply the leaves to the area of pain.Cover with plastic wrap and wrap it.Save 1-2 hours. |
Pine bath | Heating, relaxing, analgesic. | Pour hot bath, place some branches of spices or pine into water.Add 10 drops of essential oils from any coniferous tree (cedar, pine, larch, juniper). | Bath for 10-15 minutes.Then wipe it dry and wrap it. |
Boil herbs | Vitamins, anti -inflammation, normalize metabolism. | Put 10 g of lingonberry leaves, conical hops, thymeal and saberfish in a pan.Pour 500 ml of water, place on the stove and cook until boiling.Turn off the fire.Cover with a lid and let it be luxurious for 1 hour.Tension. | Take 1/4 of the art.After eating three times a day.The course of treatment is 1 month.The maximum period is 6 months. |
Lidocaine ointment | Anesthetic. | Melting and cold 200 g of smalz, add 75 g of bee wax, 30 g of alteum root chopped to powder.Pour 1 lidocaine ampoule into the mixture, mixing everything until smooth. | Rub into the spots -painkillers needed.Save no more than 6-7 weeks. |
Attention!The possibility of using a non -traditional drug recipe depends on the type of lumbar lumbar osteochondrosis, and home treatment should be tightly controlled by your doctor.
Lumbar osteochondrosis surgery treatment
Surgical intervention is a radical method.Therefore, they only use it with the development of complications or in cases when the conservative method does not provide the required results.Usually the disease has reached 3 or 4 stages of development.
With lumbosacral osteochondrosis, treatment with surgical methods usually implies the removal of discoctomy intervertebral discs that are destroyed.Less usually eliminates the entire vertebra, squeezing nerve fibers.From disc and vertebrae, artificial prostheses or debris obtained from paddling patients are inserted into the spine.To prevent vertebral displacement and disease progression, they do not move.For this, the spinal column is reinforced with metal plates and bolts.
The operation is carried out under local anesthesia via slices of 3-5 cm long.To gain access to the spine, the fabric is rejected by a special tool.From the introduction of anesthesia to sowing wounds from 1.5 to 2 hours.
Attention!Modern technology allows you to perform operations using endoscopes - long and flexible tools, into a slice of about 1 cm long.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
To maintain the health of the musculoskeletal system, it is necessary to take preventive measures.They will reduce the risk of osteochondrosis.And if the pathological change in the spine has begun, they will help prevent further development.

Prevention Tips:
- If you have a inactive job, place a special roller or pillow under the lower back.
- Dress the weather and do not let the back and back hypothermia.
- Do gymnastics, walking or other simple sports.
- Feeling uncomfortable or back pain, see a doctor immediately.
- Reject bad habits and eat properly.
- Sitting in a hard chair with back.The furniture does not support the body, so the spine should take the whole load.
- The perfect stool height is the same as the lower leg length.Then, when sitting, the feet will rest on the floor.If the growth is small, you can put the stand under your feet.
- The ideal sitting depth is 2/3 of the hip length.You can be less, but no more.
- Under the desktop, the feet should be wide.
- Sit so that the back is located behind the chair.
- When sitting down, do not tilt your head or body - make sure they are straight.
- In order not to tilt your head while reading, use a pupiter.
- After hours of driving, do some gymnastics exercises.
- Change the pose every 10-15 minutes, depending on one, then on the other.
- If you can move in place, do it.
- Every hour, do some tilt with your hands raised.During the tendency, take a long breath.This exercise relieves the back and belt, as well as the back of the head and neck.
- If you work standing (ironing, cooking), place the bench under one foot.The height should be the same as the height of one level.
- To avoid bending during home cleaning, extending the vacuum cleaner hose, submitting additional pipes.And to wash the floor, use a mop.You can wash the floor, crawl on your knees, but without leaning from a standing position.
- Sleep on hard orthopedic mattresses.
- Of the mattresses, thick solid shields (plywood plates) are appropriate, covered with foam rubber with a thickness of up to 8 cm.Place a blanket of wool and sheet on top.
- If your feet are sore, place a folded towel into the roller under your knees.
- If you like to sleep in your stomach, place a thin pillow underneath.
- If you like to sleep next to you, place one foot next to the other, and your hands under your head.
- Distribute the load on both hands evenly.Wearing frequently in the same hand leads to spinal curvature.
- If you have diagnosed osteochondrosis, do not wear items weighing more than 15 kg.To move them, it is best to use a bag with a wheel or car.
- If you need to raise and move one heavy item, first squeez, hold your back straight.Then take weight, go up to your feet and bring it, pressing it to your stomach.To lower heavy objects, you also need to squeeze.
- Eat 3-4 times a day.
- Enhancing diet with protein: fish, low meat, legumes, cottage cheese.
- Limit the consumption of sugar, baking, fatty foods.
- Include more vegetables and fruits in the diet.
- Take products rich in calcium and phosphorus (cheese, dairy products, fish).
- Do not eat too much - excess calories are kept in the form of fat, leading to excess weight formation.