Lumbar osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the spine in the lumbar region. Pain syndrome is caused by damage to intervertebral discs, spinal roots, nerve fibers and cartilage tissues. For the treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis, you need to contact a neurologist.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
- severe pain syndrome, which can radiate to the leg and pelvic organs
- Pain in kidneys and sacrum
- limb numbness
- stiffness
- Tension in the lumbar region
- fatigue, weakness
- dizziness
Lumbar osteochondrosis has sex characteristics of the course. Vertebral pain, which is caused by the compression of the nerve roots by the changed cartilage of the intervertebral discs, is significantly more severe for women than for men. The intensity of pain is directly related to estrogen levels. The lower their indicators, the more pronounced the pain.
In addition, the reflected lumbosacral pain syndrome can be accompanied by concomitant diseases of the internal organs. In women, diseases of the genitourinary tract predominate, in men, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are more characteristic.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region
Treatment of patients with neurological manifestations of lumbosacral osteochondrosis should be comprehensive and gradual. At the first doctor's appointment, a clinical and functional examination (clarification of symptoms and anamnesis) as well as a clinical examination are carried out. A neurologist examines the dynamic and static functioning of the spine, assesses the posture and paravertebral muscle tone parameters, determines the degree of mobility of various parts of the spine and limbs. The standard treatment regimen for osteochondrosis includes:
- Exclusion of unfavorable loads
- Immobilization (use of corsets, orthoses, orthopedic styling)
- drug therapy
- physiotherapeutic procedures
- gentle acupressure massage
- exercise therapy
- acupuncture
- mud therapy
- Traction Techniques (Traction)
If conservative methods do not achieve the desired effect, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Physiotherapy for lumbar osteochondrosis
To eliminate pain, reduce swelling, normalize the tone of the back muscles, activate recovery processes, loosen fibrous foci and increase mobility of damaged segments, a number of physiotherapeutic procedures are used:
- pulsed diadynamic currents
- Darsonvalization
- Magnetic field therapy (exposure to a static or alternating magnetic field)
- laser treatment
- medical electrophoresis
- UV irradiation
- local cryotherapy
- Ultrasonic
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Thanks to combined physiotherapy with the simultaneous use of several methods, the effectiveness of therapy for lumbar osteochondrosis increases by 30%.
physical therapy
Recreational sports play a special role in the conservative treatment of degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Instructors-rehabilitators of the rehabilitation center develop individual complexes of dynamic and stretching physical therapy exercises for osteochondrosis of the spine. Gender, age and physical abilities of the patient are taken into account.
Optimized therapeutic exercises are aimed at strengthening the muscles of the back, abdominal muscles, pelvic area and lower extremities. Exercise therapy eliminates pathological muscle tension, reduces pressure on the intervertebral discs, eliminates swelling and pain, stabilizes the spine, and improves posture.
Surgical intervention
An absolute indication for decompression surgery is the deactivation of radiculomyeloischemia. This dangerous pathological condition is caused by hernia compression of the nerve roots and impaired blood flow in the sacrococcygeal zone. It results in intermittent excruciating pain, dysfunction of the pelvic organs, intermittent claudication, and other motor, reflex, or sensory disorders. A relative indication for surgical stabilization is the ineffectiveness of conservative long-term therapy (longer than 1. 5–2 months).
Endoscopic methods of osteoplasty are considered the most optimal: installation of interbody implants and attachment cages made of biocompatible materials. Minimally invasive interventions quickly restore the support capacity of the operated department and enable early rehabilitation.
Injection treatment (injections for lumbar osteochondrosis)
The main manifestation of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is pain. This complex, multi-component symptom is associated with local inflammation, abnormal muscle tone, ligament damage, biomechanical causes, and dysfunction of the pain perception system. Therefore, treatment should be carried out in a complex. For faster pharmacological action and reducing gastric and cardio risks, drugs for injection therapy are prescribed:
- anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs)
- painkillers (analgesics)
- Muscle relaxants (relaxing, muscle toning)
- vasodilating (improving blood microcirculation)
- Chondroprotectors (stimulation of regeneration of intervertebral discs, slowing down the destruction of cartilage tissue).
On the recommendation of a doctor, homeopathic injections can be used to treat osteochondrosis and vitamins. For the quick and effective elimination of severe pain syndrome, paravertebral therapeutic blocks (injections into the lumbosacral nerve plexus) are prescribed.
Medical therapy
Complex therapy for degenerative diseases of the spine traditionally includes treatment with tablets and capsules, similar to the injection method:
- NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
- analgesics
- myotropic antispasmodics (medicines used to relieve muscle spasms)
- Vegetakorrektors (stabilizers of the tone of the autonomic nervous system)
- Vasodilators (to improve blood flow and tissue trophy)
- Dosage forms of chondroitin and glucosamine
- Sedatives and antidepressants (to relieve emotional tension and chronic stress)
- Vitamin and mineral complexes
Tablet preparations for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine are prescribed for a long period (up to 2 months or more).
treatment methods
- Remedial gymnastics (LFK)
- physical therapy
- Selection of orthopedic products
- massage therapy
effects
Osteochondrosis, which affects the most mobile segments of the lower spine, can exacerbate existing visceral problems and have serious health consequences:
- Protrusions and intervertebral hernias
- decreased feeling in the front of the thighs
- Weakness of calf muscles and toes
- ischemic stroke
- Disorder of the pelvic organs (dysfunction of the sphincters, impotence)
- paresis and paralysis
In order to avoid possible complications, it is recommended to regularly conduct therapeutic exercises and minimize the effect of provoking factors.
frequently asked Questions
How to help with acute pain in lumbar osteochondrosis?
With sudden acute pain, it is necessary to fix the lower back. This will immobilize the spasmodic muscles and shift the stress off of them. Then, if possible, lay the patient on their back and place a pillow under their bent knees. To relieve pain, you should take a drug with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects (NSAIDs). Additionally, you can use an ointment or gel based on Diclofenac or its analogues, or apply a cold compress (no more than 10 minutes). It is very important to exclude the load on the spine and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Is it possible to do physical exercises with lumbar osteochondrosis?
Physical education with lumbar osteochondrosis is not only not prohibited, but also recommended (except for the period of acute pain). However, one should be careful not to put axial strain on the spine and categorically reject squats, jumps and weightlifting. A set of exercises should be selected individually by a specialist.