Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is expressed by dystrophic damage to the above-mentioned part of the back, damage to the nucleus of the intervertebral discs and deformation of the intervertebral joints in the background of disorders of the ligament apparatus. The vessels and even the nervous system are involved in this pathological process in the later stages of the disease.

What is lumbar osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system in the world. Irregular pain syndromes in a certain area are felt by up to sixty percent of the population, and every tenth inhabitant is diagnosed with osteochondrosis in one form or another, almost half of the cases are due to the defeat of the lumbar and sacral area.

This disease quickly "rejuvenates", occasionally occurring even in adolescents and children - it is the fault of a sedentary lifestyle / work, as well as excessive passion for computer games, lack of full physical activity - sports and active games displace a long stay at the computer.

However, lumbar spine osteochondrosis can also occur due to excessive stress, especially if it is exacerbated by excess weight. The problem arises due to improper posture, as well as back injuries, non-compliance with the daily routine and systematic malnutrition.

Negative factors that accelerate the creation of prerequisites for the occurrence of this type of osteochondrosis are chronic lack of sleep, stress, slowing of metabolic processes in the body. A special category are professional athletes.

Numerous experts note that in some cases osteochondrosis is due to a person's genetic predisposition: intervertebral discs, at the same time, have a loose porous structure and under the influence of pathogenic negative factors are destroyed very quickly, the disease progresses rapidly and is diagnosed only in late, sometimes irreversible stages.

A special risk group are people with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as ankylosing spondylitis, which cause the development and complicate the course of the above autoimmune disease.

The first signs. Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis

The main symptoms of the disease described above, of course, include pain syndrome. Prolonged pain in the groin area of moderate intensity can be replaced by strong "lumbago", after active physical work or in an uncomfortable position. As a rule, in the supine position, the pain syndrome practically does not appear or completely disappears.

With exacerbation, heavy physical exertion, hypothermia, or nonphysiological movements, the pain syndrome loses localization in the lower back and goes to the pelvic region and even to the legs.

In detail, the patient develops the following pathologies:

Nerve root compression

1. Root injuries L 1-2: pain at local sites, loss of sensation inside the thigh and groin.
2. Lesion L-5: lumbar pain in the lower back, radiation to the thumb.
3. Lesion S-1: pain and numbness of the outer surface of the thigh, foot, temporary disappearance of the reflex in the sole and lower leg.

Arterial lesion

Local damage to the DH artery causes:

1. Regular numbness of the lower leg / buttocks.
2. Loss of sensitivity in the genital area.
3. In rare cases, there is a loss of pelvic motor function.

Vascular compression ischemia

Violation of the blood supply to the spinal cord and additional peripheral structures leads to "thinning" of the structure of the intervertebral discs and, consequently, abnormal mobility of the spine, the formation of osteophytes and neoarthrosis.

Compression myelopathy

Narrowing of the spinal canal causes periodic paroxysmal weakness in the extremities, painful "lumbar" syndrome of the lower back with twitching to the back of the thighs. In this context, hypotrophy / hypotension of the gastrocnemius / gluteal muscles, disappearance of the plantar, anal and Achilles reflex, paresis of the feet develop.

Treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis

The disease is possible and needs to be treated. Of course, in this case, only complex therapy will help, which aims to reduce the symptoms of autoimmune disease, restore the structure of the spine and prevent recurrence of the problem.

Complex therapy of the above disease includes:

1. Taking medication.
2. Blockade injections.
3. Gymnastics and exercise therapy.
4. Massages and manual therapy.
5. Physiotherapy.

Preparations for lumbar osteochondrosis

1. Painkillers.
2. Restoration of chondroprotection.
3. Vitamins. Optimal - group B.
4. Injections. Anesthetics, cartilage restorers and normalizers of blood microcirculation.
5. Local funds. Corticosteroids as well as anti-inflammatory drugs.

Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

An important element of spine rehabilitation. All procedures are developed individually, with the goal of relieving pain and muscle cramps, normalizing blood circulation and restoring the work of intervertebral discs.

Massage for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Massage is a necessary component of complex therapy of the disease. It helps to relax and train the muscles of the lower back, stimulates the process of repairing cartilage and relieves pain.

Therapeutic, acupressure, hardware, vacuum massage and connective tissue massage are most often used in the disease described above.

Physiotherapy

As a rule, physiotherapy is prescribed to patients with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine only in the phase of remission of the disease, after overcoming the period of exacerbation of the problem.

Modern and classic techniques:

1. Acupuncture. Exposure to acupuncture points of the back with special needles.
2. Stretching. The classic technique of stretching the spine on a massage-pull couch, performed by a qualified chiropractor.
3. Electrophoresis. Known since the 60s, a complex non-operative method of influencing externally problematic affected areas.
4. Decompression pulls. Automatic hardware stretching of the spine in a special medical complex.
5. Shock wave therapy. Use of infrasound waves to treat osteochondrosis.
6. Osteopathy. A complex technique that combines elements of chiropractic, massage and therapeutic orthopedics.
7. Magnetopuncture. Direct effect of alternating magnetic field on the spine.
8. Laser puncture. Treatment of acupuncture points with a beam of induced radiation.
9. Electrical stimulation. Use of small alternating currents in the affected areas.

Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis

After undergoing complex treatment and physiotherapy, long-term supportive treatment is needed: during this period, the spine is still weakened and needs support. In addition, prevention aims to prevent the occurrence of lumbar osteochondrosis. Main activities:

1. Regular balanced exercise, preferably under the supervision of a qualified podiatrist.
2. Normalization of body weight: often an overweight person is an aggravating factor influencing the development of osteochondrosis.
3. Diet correction. A regular diet should include foods rich in elements such as calcium and magnesium. In this case, it is worth excluding too fatty and unhealthy foods, as well as other foods that do not fall under the definition of healthy foods.
4. Rejecting bad habits. Alcohol and smoking intensify all the destructive processes in the body, this also refers to the appearance of osteochondrosis.
5. Proper posture. Pay attention to posture, especially if the work involves constant posture at the computer or other activity. Pay attention to your child - how and for how long he sits. Normal proper posture will allow you to prevent the appearance of scoliosis and, consequently, osteochondrosis in the future.
6. Use appropriate footwear, clothing and accessories, avoiding wearing weights regularly. Wrong shoes, a heavy bag on the shoulder, work as a loader - all these factors sometimes have a decisive influence on the beginning of the creation of destructive processes in the spine.

The answer to the question

What kind of pain occurs with this type of osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is characterized by several types of pain. First of all, these are localized unpleasant feelings in the lumbar region, which continue for a long time and increase significantly with increasing motor activity and physical work of the person. This type of pain disappears if the body is given a horizontal position for at least 15-20 minutes.

If the disease is exacerbated by hypothermia, prolonged severe physiological stress or sharp "continuous" movements, then in addition to the above background pain, there is a "shooting" effect, localized in the pelvic area and radiating to the lower extremities.

Is gymnastics useful for this osteochondrosis?

Therapeutic gymnastic therapy allows you to consolidate the good effect of complex disease therapy, partially develop the intervertebral components of the joints, and also relax / train the muscles in the lumbar region. In addition, proper regular massages help eliminate the unpleasant pain associated with osteochondrosis.

A specific set and list of exercises, number of approaches and frequency of exercises for you developed by the doctor: he will take into account the current stage of the disease, possible list of contraindications and limitations, the patient's condition and recommend methods for applying exercise therapy in practice.