Osteochondrosis mesit

According to medical statistics, low back pain in 80% of cases is caused by lumbar osteochondrosis. This occurs as a result of degenerative-dystrophic changes in this segment, when the intervertebral discs and adjacent vertebrae are affected. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine (OBOP) manifests itself in a range of symptoms: pain of a different nature, limited mobility, impaired sensitivity of the lower body, etc. With prolonged lack of treatment, degenerative processes spread to the vertebrae, reducing the ability to work, then the patient may become incapacitated.

To avoid the dangerous complications of lumbar osteochondrosis (LP), you should start complex treatment in 1-2 stages of the pathology. In advanced cases, when irreversible changes to the disc or vertebrae are already present, an operation is performed. To avoid osteochondrosis of the lower back and accompanying complications, it is necessary to carry out its prevention.

Development of medial osteochondrosis

To understand what LBP (lumbar spine) osteochondrosis is, you need to study the structure of the spine. It consists of vertebrae, between which are placed the cartilaginous pads (intervertebral disc). The disc is covered with a strong fibrous membrane (annulus fibrosus), inside which is the nucleus pulposus. This structure has a shock-absorbing function and makes the spine more flexible.

Help. The lumbar segment of the spine is subjected to tremendous stress every day, as it can support the weight of the upper body. Therefore, osteochondrosis of the lower spine is diagnosed more often than cervical, thoracic.

With regular stress on the spine, the discs shrink, lose a lot of fluid, their height decreases and the distance between the vertebrae decreases. The cartilaginous lining becomes brittle, microcracks appear on its surface, through which the pulposus nucleus emerges over time. With further compression of the intervertebral discs, the outer cortex ruptures and the gelatinous body falls off, thus forming a hernia. Then there is a pathological movement of the vertebrae, the load on the adjacent segments of the spine increases.

Shortly afterwards, bone growths (osteophytes) begin to form at the ends of the vertebral bodies. Thus, the body tries to stabilize the spine.

Doctors distinguish 4 stages of lumbar spine osteochondrosis:

• 1 degree - problems with the discs begin, the central part becomes dehydrated, flattened, cracks appear in the outer shell. There is an erased current.
• 2 degrees - cartilaginous lining, the vertebrae come closer to each other, become more mobile, the muscles and ligaments around the back fall off. The pain appears.
• 3 degrees - bead extensions, hernias and subluxations of the vertebrae are formed. The pain increases, mobility is limited, the sensitivity of the lower body is disturbed.
• Grade 4 osteochondrosis is characterized by the appearance of osteophytes, which can damage the spinal nerves and adjacent vertebrae. There is persistent pain, severe neurological disorders and other complications, the risk of disability increases.

The easiest way to cure lower back chondrosis (stage 1), however, is very difficult to identify the disease at this stage. Grade 2 intervertebral osteochondrosis is treated using conservative techniques. Surgery may be required in stages 3-4.

Help. According to statistics, OBO is most often detected in patients after 30 years. There are frequent cases of pathology development in humans after 20 years. Approximately 80% of patients 60 years of age suffer from the manifestations of this disease.

Reasons

To understand how to deal with osteochondrosis PKOP (lumbosacral spine), you need to know its causes:

• Regular static or dynamic load on the middle segment. The risk group for developing osteochondrosis includes office workers, professional athletes (weight lifting), locomotives, builders, etc.
• Poor posture, inappropriate prolonged posture.
• Genetic predisposition, abnormalities in the formation of vertebral bodies. This category includes youth software - spinal curvature caused by vertebral body pathologies.
• Spinal cord injuries.
• Hormonal imbalance, metabolic disorders, diseases of the endocrine glands, which disrupt metabolism in the lumbar segment.
• Age-related changes in the body provoke disc wear.
• Bone tuberculosis, osteomyelitis (purulent inflammation of bone tissue), ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation of the vertebrae and joints), rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

An illness is often caused by several causes.

In addition, there are factors that provoke the development of lumbar osteochondrosis:

• Mbipesha.
• Passive lifestyle, prolonged decline.
• Regular consumption of unhealthy foods (fatty foods, fried foods, cakes, semi-finished products, etc. ).
• Lack of fluids, dehydration.
• Congenital disorders of the structure of the spine, for example, an extra vertebra.
• Wear uncomfortable feet regularly.
• Pregnancy period, then the load on the spine increases.
• Immediate refusal to train professional athletes or excessive sports to people who previously had a passive lifestyle.
• Smoking, frequent and excessive smoking.

There are many more factors that can cause degenerative-dystrophic processes in the lumbar spine. For example, flat feet, frequent hypothermia of the back, frequent stress, sleep disorders, etc.

Symptoms

The symptoms of lumbar spine osteochondrosis are different, they depend on the stage of pathology and localization of the affected area.

Doctors distinguish reflex and compression syndromes (complex of symptoms) in OBOR. The first arises when the outer shell receptors of the discs, ligaments, joint capsules are irritated, and the second, when the nerve bundles, blood vessels, and spinal cord are compressed.

There are such reflex syndromes of lumbar osteochondrosis:

• Lumbago. Shooting pain in the lower back with sudden movement or strain. At the slightest attempt to move, the pain syndrome intensifies, so the patient rises to one position. The muscles in the injured area are very tense, with palpation, the painful sensations become more pronounced. These manifestations are associated with the movement of the nucleus pulposus within the outer shell.
• Lumbodinia. The aching pain develops for several hours or days. Discomfort increases with movement, change in body position. Weakens when the person assumes a horizontal posture with a roller under the back. When you raise a straight leg in this position, the pain intensifies (Lassegh symptom). The degree of muscle tension is smaller than with lumbago. The mobility of the lower back is limited.
• Lumboischialgia. Painful sensations (sharp or painful) spread from the lower back to the lower body. There is an increase in this sign during movements. The pain is relieved by leaning on your back. The muscles in the affected area are tense, the pain syndrome becomes pronounced during touch.

Symptoms of compression syndromes depend on parts of the damaged lumbar segment. Characteristic signs are associated with the suppression of spinal nerves by hernias, osteophytes, displaced vertebrae. This condition is called radiculopathy, in which the pain increases with the slightest movement, the muscles of the lower back are tense, and mobility is limited.

Clinical manifestations of compression syndromes depending on damaged lumbar vertebrae:

• L1 - L3 - pain and numbness in the lumbar region, front and inner thigh, the patient has difficulty bending / disordering the leg at the knee.
• L4 - pain syndrome extends to the front of the thigh, descends to the knee (back). In the same area, sensitivity is concerned.
• L5 - painful sensations radiate to the buttocks, outside of the thigh, descend along the front of the lower leg to the inside of the foot and big toe. In the same area, numbness is felt, it is difficult for the patient to flex the thumb.
• S1 - the pain spreads from the lower back to the buttocks, the outer and back of the thigh, descends to the outer part of the lower leg, the foot. In the same areas, numbness is felt, the muscles of the lower leg are weakened, so it is difficult for the patient to stand on the toes.

There is a risk of damaging several nerve bundles at the same time, for example, L5, S1. If the hernia moves backwards, it can compress the spinal cord.

Compression of blood vessels in the lower back increases the likelihood of weakening leg muscles, numbness of the lower limbs, impaired control of the urination process and defecation. In men with OBO, the erection is impaired, and in women, the main symptoms may be complemented by inflammation of the ovaries or uterus.

Diagnostic measures

To diagnose OBO, the doctor examines the patient, palpates the patient to determine the condition of the muscles, and to identify the curvature of the spine. It is important to tell the specialist in detail about your symptoms to make it easier for him to diagnose.

Instrumental examinations will help detect intervertebral osteochondrosis:

• X-rays of the lower back (frontal and lateral projection).
• Computer imaging and magnetic resonance imaging.

X-rays allow you to evaluate the structure of the EPP. To detect abnormal movement of the vertebrae, x-rays are taken at the flexion and extension positions. This study allows us to notice that the intervertebral fissure is narrowed, the vertebral bodies are displaced, and osteophytes have appeared at their ends. However, this diagnostic method is considered obsolete.

Today, CT and MRI are increasingly used to detect degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine. These highly informative studies allow the assessment of the condition of the vertebrae, discs, intervertebral foramina and spinal cord. With their help, the extensions, the direction of the hernia, the degree of pressure of the nerve bundles, spinal cord and blood vessels are detected.

Treatment

MJEKSITST P OR LUMBAR OSTEOKONDROZUMN

Treatment of EPP osteochondrosis lasts from 1-3 months to 1 year. The success of therapy depends on the patient himself, who must strictly follow the doctor's recommendations. With self-medication, the patient's condition usually worsens.

Treatment goals:

• Stop or alleviate software symptoms.
• Identify the cause of the disease, try to exclude it from life.
• Eliminate the inflammatory process.
• Restore blood circulation, metabolic processes in the lumbar spine.
• Try to improve the condition of the damaged cartilage lining, to prevent further degenerative changes.

To achieve such goals, it is recommended to perform a complex therapy. Usually starts with taking medication:

• Muscle relaxants. They relax muscles, relieve pain and inflammation.
• NSAIDs. They have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic effects.
• Antispasmodics. They help to stop smooth muscle spasm, relieving pain.
• Anesthetics. They are used for severe pain syndrome in the form of a therapeutic blockade.
• Glucocorticosteroids. They also help to cope with the pain. However, these drugs are capable of destroying bones, so they are taken for a short time and only after a doctor's approval.
• Sedatives. They relieve neuromuscular tension, improve sleep.
Vitamins (groups B, E, C, A). Restores the condition of the affected nerves, relieves pain.

Attention. NSAIDs are forbidden to take with gastritis or stomach ulcers, as they further damage the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.

In case of deterioration, the patient is given injections and after relief of the main symptoms, he takes oral medication.

Furthermore, external agents (gels, oils, lotions, scrubs) are used.

The question of what to do in case of chronic lumbar osteochondrosis is quite important. If OBOP has become chronic, then after relieving the main symptoms, the patient is prescribed chondroprotectors, medicines that restore blood circulation, medicines based on B vitamins. They help restore nerves, normalize blood supply to the affected area and prevent the development offurther pathology.

Treatment of lumbar spine chondrosis (stage 1) is performed with the use of chondroprotectors, which slow down the development of degenerative processes, accelerate cartilage regeneration. In addition, the patient is prescribed vitamin and mineral complexes. This form of osteochondrosis is easier to cure.

OTHER CONSERVATIVE TECHNIQUES

In case of acute chronic disease (osteochondrosis) of 1-2 degrees, the following treatment procedures will help stop its development:

• Ultrasound therapy relieves pain and inflammation and normalizes blood flow to the affected area.
• Detensing therapy is a safe spinal pull due to its own body weight, after which muscle tone is normalized and movement is improved.
• Magnetotherapy reduces pain and inflammation of the muscles around the spine.
• Reflexology (insertion of needles into bioactive points in the body) speeds up blood circulation, relieves inflammation and edema.
• Manual therapy (impact on the affected area with the hands of a doctor) and massage normalizes muscle tone, reduces the pressure on the nerve bundles, improves the nutrition of the intervertebral discs and restores the structure of the spine.
• Electrophoresis allows the delivery of medicinal solutions through the skin to bone and cartilage tissues.
• Drasonvalization improves blood circulation, metabolic processes, reduces pain, restores skin sensitivity.

There are many more effective procedures that will help improve the patient's condition in 5-15 sessions. The key is to get a doctor's approval before performing them.

HOME PROGRAM TREATMENT

If you are wondering if it is possible to treat OBO at home, talk to your doctor. If the specialist has given permission, then start therapy, which usually consists of the following points:

• Diet. If lumbar osteochondrosis is caused by impaired blood flow or metabolism, then exclude from the menu fatty, fried, spicy foods, eggs, etc. Complete the menu with fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, fish, dairy products. Give up alcohol, tonic drinks (tea, coffee). Drink filtered water, compote, herbal teas.

• To restore blood circulation, apply or apply rubbing and compresses.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress, a low pillow. If you have a sedentary job, buy a chair with a backrest that will support your spine. Wear special corsets or belts occasionally.
• Exercise therapy will help strengthen the muscular corset, relieving some loads from the diseased spine. The complex for each patient is designed individually by a doctor or instructor.
• Self-massage the lumbar region. However, ask a professional how to do it correctly.
• Use folk remedies in the form of rubbing, compresses, baths, etc.
• A needle applicator is a plastic plate with many thorns, which improves blood circulation, metabolic processes in the damaged area, reduces muscle pain and relaxes.

And also at home you can use herbal decoction lotions, plaster.

Help. A novelty in the treatment of osteochondrosis is a massage bed that is suitable even for the most disorganized patients.

However, remember that home treatment can only be done with your doctor's permission.

SURGICAL TREATMENT

An operation for lumbar osteochondrosis is prescribed if conservative techniques have been proven ineffective for a long time. And also surgical intervention is indicated for involuntary urination, defecation and cauda equina syndrome (constriction of the nerves of the lower spinal cord).

The following surgical methods are used in the treatment of OBO:

• Spondylodesis - the union of adjacent vertebrae.
• Facetextomy - removal of the intervertebral joints that pinch the spinal nerve.
• Laminectomy is the removal of the lamina that covers the spinal canal that compresses the spinal cord.
• Discectomy is the complete or partial removal of an intervertebral disc that causes compression of the nerve root or spinal cord.
• Corpectomy - removal of the vertebral body and adjacent cartilage pads. Then the empty space is filled with a bone graft and 3 vertebral segments are joined.

Help. After surgery, there is a risk of complications: spinal cord injuries, nerve bundles, broken grafts, infections, etc.

After treatment, you should undergo rehabilitation in order to speed up your recovery.

Complications

In the absence of proper therapy, the risk of such complications of lumbar osteochondrosis increases:

• Disc herniation, folded nerve root or spinal cord.
Prolonged inflammation increases the likelihood of developing sciatica (inflammation of the nerve roots).
• Sciatica (inflammation of the sciatic nerve), in which there is severe pain and numbness in the lower limb.
• If the blood circulation in the spinal cord is impaired, the likelihood of compression myelopathy (compression of the spinal cord by various formations: bone fragments, hernias, tumors, hematomas) increases.
• Cauda equina syndrome - compression of the roots of the lower spinal cord, which leads to impaired function of the intestines, pelvic organs and lower extremities.

To avoid such complications, you should start treatment as soon as possible.

Prevention

To avoid lumbar osteochondrosis, follow these rules:

• Make a moderately active lifestyle (walk more often, exercise regularly, sign up for a pool).
• For sedentary work, warm up every 1. 5 hours.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
• Avoid excessive physical exertion, lift weights only from a semi-squat position, before that, place a special strap on the lower back.
• Buy orthopedic shoes.
• Eat well, take vitamin and mineral complexes as prescribed by your doctor.
• Learn to relax.
• Try not to get hypothermia.
• Treat diseases that can cause OBO in a timely manner.
• Give up bad habits.

By following these recommendations, you can avoid degenerative changes in your spine and improve your health.

Most importantly

If you notice symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis, then see a doctor urgently. Self-medication can worsen your condition and cause complications. Lumbar chondrosis (stage 1) is treated with exercise therapy, physiotherapy and chondroprotectors. In the later stages, medicines, massage, manual therapy, etc. are used. In the absence of positive dynamics for a long time or the appearance of neurological symptoms, the doctor may prescribe an operation. The patient must strictly follow the doctor's recommendations in order to speed up recovery.