One of the most common problems of the spine is non -specific pain in the back of the back.According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 26-32% of the adult population suffers from chronic back pain.A common cause of such pain is osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is premature coating and aging of intervertebral discs and vertebrae.Osteochondrosis can occur in any part of the spine: cervix, chest, lumbar or lumbar.Lumbar segment is most often affected and lumbar osteochondrosis is developing.If you do not start treating on time, the disease can affect some departments immediately.
The osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is a chronic degenerative disease in which the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs is destroyed in the lumbar region.There are two main parts on the intervertebral disc: essential and fibrous rings.As the load increases, these structures are destroyed, which leads to nerve compression and the appearance of acute pain.
Since the disease develops slowly, its signs are difficult at first at first.The patient pays no attention or does not even understand where it hurts.Because of this, they often come to the doctor at the moment when intervertebral hernia develops.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis, like most diseases of the muscular system, has non -infectious etiology.Risk factors for the development of osteochondrosis are mainly associated with a person's motor activity, lifestyle, professional working conditions, and heritage.Let's dwell on the main and perhaps more important factors.
Violation of behavior and reduce motor activity.Given the modern pace of life, people need to be in a position for a long time, whether it is office work, driving a car or study.Because of this, a large number of people have problems with violating backwardness, including scoliosis.When the behavior is broken, the load on the spinal column is unevenly distributed: some discs are loaded more than others.The Messi region suffers more than others.And in the case of the lumbar department, this load is many times more than in other departments.
Physical activity.When a person does not play sports and his back muscles are weak, intense training can damage.Extra load exercises and excess load in the lumbar region lead to injuries, the intervertebral discs wear prematurely.
Excessive body weight and overweightIncrease the axial load on your back.At the same time, the food of the intervertebral discs is concerned due to which dystrophic processes develop.
Age -related changes.After 60 years, tissue restoration processes slow down, so in older people the probability of developing higher intervertebral hernias.
Hereditary.If a person is naturally concerned about the properties of the cartilage and bone tissue, then his osteochondrosis develops earlier and will progress will be faster.
First signs and main symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The intervertebral discs soften the shocks as you walk, run and dance.Due to the structural changes that accompany lumbar osteochondrosis, this function suffers.
When the intervertebral discs for osteochondrosis become thinner, this leads to an increased sensitivity of the nerves and blood vessels.The nerves are adjacent and their food is disturbed, acute pain and other symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis appear.
Sharp and chronic pain of the lower back- This is the main complaint with lumbar osteochondrosis.Personal activity, hypothermia, unpleasant pose can cause pain.Sometimes the pain extends throughout the back and leg.
Tingling, burning and numbness (paresthesia) at the bottom of the back and legs-The frequent asymptom of lumbar osteochondrosis, which appears due to nerve compression.
Increasing the back muscle tone in the lumbar regionIt can increase the pain and lead to a decrease in mobility.
Lumbari osteochondrosis stages
Changes in cartilage and bone tissue occur slowly.Depending on the spread of the pathological process, four phases of lumbar osteochondrosis are distinguished.
First stage.This is the onset of the disease (chondrosa).The location of the gelatinous core of the disc related to the fibrous ring fibers varies.This leads to irritation of the nerves and pain.Sometimes nothing hurts at this stage.
Stage 2.Due to the dislocation of the disks, the intervertebral gap is reduced, the cracks appear on the discs.The nerves are compressed, and the patient suffers from acute back pain.
Stage 3.The intervertebral discs are completely damaged, a fibrous ring is destroyed.At this stage, the risk of developing intervertebral hernia is high.Pain intensifies, occurs more often and has a different character: from acute pain to chronic.
Stage 4.The disease applies to nearby tissues.In the lumbar region, mobility decreases, the pain also appears with minor changes in the body position.At this stage, intervertebral hernias are developing and the risk of compression of nerves and blood vessels in the lumbar region is high.
Diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis
If you are tormented by acute back pain both to move and at rest, numbness - contact a neurologist.It will perform an inspection, determine the possible cause of the pain and describe the necessary diagnosis.
The main methods of research are radiography and tomography.
- View, viewing and functional radiography of the spine in two projections.This method allows you to evaluate the condition of the spine, but soft tissue (for example, muscles) and cartilage in the photographs do not appear.
- Calculated tomography allows you to get more information, as the pictures are taken on various predictions.Based on the results of the study, the doctor can determine the degree of spinal cord injury.
- Magnetic resonance images are the "golden standard" for the correct diagnosis of "lumbar osteochondrosis".According to MRI, the doctor can evaluate the condition of the soft tissue and identify hernia between the vertebrae.
The treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
After making a diagnosis, the neurologist individually chooses treatment.It depends on the stage of the disease and the severity of the symptoms.Most patients are aided by a comprehensive conservative treatment (medication therapy, physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapy).If the patient is not better and serious complications develop, surgery is prescribed.
Conservative treatment
Conservative treatment tasks:
- I stop the pain.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Prevent the development of complications.
- Lower the load on your back by strengthening your back muscles.
- Reduce nerve compression.
- In intervertebral hernia - create conditions for natural resorption and healing.
In the acute phase of the disease, the doctor mainly reduces pain and inflammation with analgesics and anti -inflammatory drugs.After that, the neurologist compiles an individual program consisting of physiotherapy, manual therapy and physiotherapy exercises.
PhysiotherapyIt is based on the use of physical factors: cold, heat, electricity, magnetic radiation, laser, etc.They help reduce the intensity of pain and improve tissue nutrition, which contributes to their natural restoration.
KinetherapyIs active (exercise therapy) and passive (massage, traction).This allows you to strengthen your back muscles, relieve muscle tension, improve microcirculation, and activate recovery processes.
Therapy and manual massageRemove an increased muscle tone in the lower back, restore mobility.Because of this, food of the damaged area improves and the rate of nerve tip decreases.
percussionOr kinemaic tapping is based on the use of elastic plaster, which stick to the skin to weaken or increase muscle tone.So, the muscle frame is strengthened, the microcirulation in the lumbar region improves and the load distribution in the spine is normalized.
Laser therapyIt is based on the use of low -intensity laser radiation and its positive effects on cell function.Contributes to the natural restoration of the intervertebral discs by improving their nutrition.
Plasma therapy(PRP therapy) -a method for improving regeneration processes.Patient -purified plasma injections stimulate its immunity.
Reflexotherapy, acupunctureImprove blood supply to the affected areas, reduce pain.
Shock wave therapy- This is the effect of high frequency waves on the affected area.It stimulates natural processes of tissue regeneration and improves tissue nutrition.
Orthopedics- Individual selection of lanes for additional spine support.Allows to partially offset the load on the back.When wearing a corset, the pain decreases, the movement and quality of life of the patient increases.
Lumbar osteochondrosis is a chronic disease.It is important for the patient to change his life style and learn to live with this disease.To do this, there are special educational programs that can improve the quality of life of the patient.
The positive effect of conservative treatment is achieved in 2-3 months.If such treatment is ineffective, the surgery is prescribed.
working
With the development of intervertebral hernias of the Middle Department, minimum invasive surgical operations are performed.The choice in terms of neurosurgical treatment is made with special indications, in severe, threatening the patient's life.
Operation is a complex method of invasive treatment associated with risks.During or after surgery, complications may develop.And the success of the treatment also depends on post -operative rehabilitation, which includes methods of conservative therapy and orthopedic correction.
Do not postpone treatment
Lumbar osteochondrosis is a progressive disease.If it is not detected in time and does not begin to handle it, it can lead to disability and a decrease in the quality of life.Over time, some parts of the spine are affected, the acute pain goes into a chronic.
Timely prevention of symptoms and treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis in the early stages can prevent the development of the disease and a deterioration in the condition.