Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic change in cartilage, which occurs due to aging processes and unfavorable external exposure.Most often, it appears in intervertebral discs, so that the most common types of osteochondrosis are lumbar, cervical and chest.Osteochondrosis in the lumbar region leads to the appearance of pain and curvature of the spine, so you should start with high quality and qualified treatment as soon as possible.In the article, we will consider the main symptoms and methods of processing lumbar osteochondrosis.
Description of the disease
Osteochondrosis in the lumbar region is characterized by dystrophic changes in 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 undergoes a vertical load.Negative factors (sedentary lifestyle, excessive physical activity) only worsen the situation.A certain percentage of people after 30 to 35 years is starting to experience discomfort in the lumbar region.
Development reasons
There are many factors that can cause osteochondrosis.Most often, the disease occurs due to the predisposition and the unequal load on the spine.In addition, the causes of dystrophic changes in cartilage are: become:
- A sedentary lifestyle;
- presenceScoliosis;
- Low muscle tone;
- constantStress;
- Lack of microphone and nutrition macroelements;
- ProfessionalHigh sports.
The presence of the factors above in the life of a person considerably increases the probability of osteochondosis even at a relatively young age.
Symptoms
The main symptom of the disease is pain in the lumbar region.The following demonstrations occur according to the stadium of the lesion:
- The first step-Stanter of any sign, fatigue can occur;
- The second step- periodic pain in the lower back;
- The third step- Constant pain, curvature and appearance of a bump;
- The fourth step- Pain syndrome expressed for any movement, displacement of the vertebrae.
Osteochondrosis is quite easy to determine by the main symptom.If a person meets pain in the lower back periodically, you should visit a doctor.
In the fourth stage of the disease, a person can completely lose work capacity and become a disabled person.
Diagnosis
To identify the disease, material examinations and diagnostic tests are used.First, the doctor performs a visual examination and tests.It is important to exclude diseases with similar symptoms.To determine the degree of damage is used:
- MRI;
- X -Ray;
- CT.
After examining and performing various tests, a preliminary diagnosis is made.Using a material examination, it is possible to accurately establish the cause of discomfort.Osteochondrosis at the first stage can only be detected by using calculated or magnetic resonance imaging.
Reflex lacega
The Lacega reflex is a symptom 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 going to bed;The doctor lifts the straightened leg.If a person has more than 30 degrees when breeding one leg, pain occurs, the test is considered positive.For the test, special devices are not necessary, it is therefore carried out even during the initial examination.
Perform a test properly to identify the symptom of lasaga than a doctor.Using this test, you can almost precisely determine the damage area.
Knee reflex
This sample is almost always carried out during an initial inspection.The essence of the reflex is that if a person is pressed by knees straightened to a flat surface, he suffers from pain syndrome.It should be noted that this test is not always positive with dystrophic changes in intervertebral discs, but it does not require much time to spend.With a positive result, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis of osteochondrosis.
Material methods
Material 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 diagnose.These methods will assess the degree of damage and the distance between the vertebrae.In addition, with their help, complications can be diagnosed, which often occur during the disease (hernia, curvature).
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis should be complex.When therapy, you must adhere to the following principles:
- Exclusion of provocative factors;
- elimination of related pathologies;
- elimination of inflammation;
- Stimulate the restoration of cartilage.
The success of the treatment depends not only on the doctor, but also on the person.It will be necessary to observe the diet, to engage in physiotherapy exercises, to go to physiotherapy.Part of the drug is only used in the acute period.
Throughout the therapy, it is necessary to exclude vertical loads on the spine, as this can worsen pathology.
Medicine
Medicines are used in the acute period 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 drug classes are used::
- analgesics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxing;
- Vasodilators.
Specific drugs are selected by the doctor.The injection of NSAIDs in the affected area will quickly relieve pain.Chondroprotectors will contribute to a stopping of dystrophic changes and will launch the recovery process.With the help of drugs, you can effectively fight against osteochondrosis of the only first stages, more complex treatment methods are used for more complex cases.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
Physiotherapy helps get rid of minor pain and consolidate the result of drug treatment.The following procedures are applied:
- phonophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- impact of vibrations;
- Dutoenzor-therapy.
Most procedures can only be performed during remission.The moment when the use of physiotherapy is most quickly determined by the doctor.To obtain the therapeutic effect, you must regularly visit the physiotherapy cabinet.At least 7 to 10 procedures are necessary to obtain a 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 area affected with your hands allows you to create conditions for fast food from the spine.With osteochondrosis, it is possible to remove the load which can occur due to poor 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 only be carried out by a qualified specialist who has all the necessary certificates.The inappropriate impact on the spine will worsen the situation.
Medical physical education
A person with osteochondrosis should strive to correct the posture and strengthen the muscle corset.The LFK complex can be used during remission.The following exercises can be performed:
- Knees and take the lying accent.Make the head and fold the lower back, then lower your head, returning to its original position.Repeat 8 to 10 times.
- Lie on your back.Alternately fold the legs in the knee joint.Repeat 10-12 times.
As the muscles strengthen, the load may increase.Static exercises can be used to strengthen lumbar muscles.A specific complex is selected according to the individual characteristics of a person and the degree of lesion of osteochondosis.After reaching a persistent remission, you must continue to engage in physical education.It 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 take 50 g of dry mustard, 100 ml of vodka and 50 ml of Camper alcohol.The components are mixed and insisted for 10 hours.A cloth 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 to 10 days.
- Compress raw potatoes and honey.Clean and grind the potato, then mix it with honey.Put the resulting consistency in the lumbar region, cover with polyethylene and fix it.The compress is kept for 30 to 45 minutes.
Heating compresses will help get rid of pain.A persistent improvement is possible when combining other treatment methods.
Surgery
Surgical intervention is an extreme measure which is used in the event of irreversible changes in the tissues.Using the operation, the cause of pain is eliminated.Most often, a discock is carried out, during which the intervertebral disc compressing the nerve is partially or completely eliminated.A specific type of surgical intervention is individually selected.It should be noted that it is quite difficult to perform any operation on the spine.
The therapeutic effect of a single surgical intervention is not always reached.If a person drawn with treatment for a long time, several operations may be necessary.
Prevention
A person can easily prevent or stop the development of osteochondrosis using prevention.The following actions will be necessary:
- to useOrthopedic mattresses and pillows;
- Follow the posture, especially with a sedentary lifestyle;
- to useExercise therapy;
- engage in swimming;
- Balanced to eat;
- Visit the masseur.
It will also be necessary to regularly undergo preventive examinations using modern material methods.And with a predisposition to osteochondrosis, it is desirable not to engage in serious sports.This applies to prevention not only of osteochondrosis of the lumbar column, but also of intervertebral osteochondrosis of the chest region.
Possible complications
First, osteochondrosis is aggravated by intense pain.During the development of the disease, the distance between the vertebrae decreases.In the end, this leads to a pinch of nerve syndrome and acute pain.Furthermore,The following complications may appear::
- projection;
- Hernies intervertebral;
- violation of the blood supply with the spinal cord;
- paralysis.
The more a person begins before, the less likely it is to meet a complication of osteochondrosis.The most dangerous are the projection of cervical osteochondrosis, but that 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 are lost.
- The disease is launched in a context 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, serious forms of the disease are treated by 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 to paralysis.