Osteochondrosis is a distribution change in cartilage, which occurs due to aging processes and adverse external exposure.Most of the time, it appears on the intervertebral discs, so the most common types of osteochondrosis are lumbar, cervical and chests.The osteochondrosis of the lumbar region leads to the appearance of pain and curvature of the spine, so that high quality and qualified treatment should begin as soon as possible.In the article we will consider the main symptoms and methods to treat the lumbar osteochondrosis.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DISEASE
The osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is characterized by distribution changes in the intervertebral discs(thinning, deformation, loss of elasticity).As a result, pain, performance and mobility occurs.Not a single person is protected from the disease.The human column constantly experiences a vertical load.Adverse factors (sedentary lifestyle, excessive physical activity) only aggravate the situation.A certain percentage of people after 30-35 years begins to experience discomfort in the lumbar region.
The reasons for development
There are many factors that can cause osteochondrosis.Most of the time, the disease occurs due to the predisposition and unequal load in the spine.In addition, the causes of the distributing changes in the cartilage are: become:
- A sedentary lifestyle;
- presenceScoliosis;
- Weak muscle tone;
- constantStress;
- lack of micro and macroelements in nutrition;
- ProfessionalGreat sports.
The presence of the previous factors in the life of a person significantly increases the probability of osteochondrosis even at a relatively young age.
Symptoms
The main symptom of the disease is pain in the lumbar region.The following manifestations arise depending on the stage of the lesion:
- The first stage-Paland the complete absence of any sign, fatigue can occur;
- The second stage- Periodic pain on the lower back;
- The third stage- constant pain, curvature and the appearance of a hump;
- The fourth stage- Pain syndrome for any movement, displacement of the vertebrae.
Osteochondrosis is quite easy to determine according to the main symptom.If a person is periodically in the lower back, he must 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, hardware exams and diagnostic tests are used.First, the doctor performs an exam and visual tests.It is important to exclude diseases with similar symptoms.To determine the degree of damage are used:
- Magnetic resonance;
- X -Ray;
- Connecticut.
After examining and performing several tests, a preliminary diagnosis is performed.Using a hardware exam, it is possible to establish precisely the cause of discomfort.Osteochondrosis in the first stage can only be detected using calculated or magnetic resonance images.
Lacega reflects
The Lacega reflex is a symptom that is detected only with neurological and distribution pathologies of the spine.The neuropathologist determines the presence of the lake reflex.This happens as follows: a person accepts the position of bedtime;The doctor raises his straight leg.If a person has more than 30 degrees when raising a leg, pain occurs, then the test is considered positive.For the test, special devices are not required, so it is carried out even during the initial exam.
Correctly perform a test to identify Lasaga's symptom only one doctor.Using this test, you can almost determine the damage area.
Knee reflex
This sample is almost always carried out in an initial inspection.The essence of the reflection is that if a person is pressed by the knees straightened to a flat surface, he has pain syndrome.It is worth noting that this test is not always positive with distributing changes in intervertebral discs, but does not require much time to spend.With a positive result, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis of osteochondrosis.
Hardware methods
Hardware exams are the most effective to diagnose osteochondrosis.Computer or magnetic resonance is used.An X -Ray exam from the lumbar region will also help make a diagnosis.These methods will allow evaluating the degree of damage and the distance between the vertebrae.In addition, with your help, complications can be diagnosed, which often occur during disease (hernia, curvature).
Treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis should be complex.When the therapy must adhere to the following principles:
- exclusion of provocative factors;
- Elimination of related pathologies;
- elimination of inflammation;
- Stimulating cartilage restoration.
The success of the treatment depends not only on the doctor, but also on the person.It will be necessary to observe the regime, participate in physiotherapy exercises, go to physiotherapy.Part of the medicine is used only in the acute period.
Throughout the therapy, it is necessary to exclude vertical loads in the spine, since this can aggravate the pathology.
Medicine
The medications are used in the acute period of the course of the disease.The main task is to get rid of pain and inflammation.For this, drugs can be used in the form of ointments, injections and tablets.The following drug classes are used:
- analgesics;
- non -steroidal anti -inflammatory;
- condoprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- Vasodilators
The doctor selected specific medications.NSAID injection in the affected area will help relieve pain quickly.Condroprotectors will contribute at a stop of the distributing changes and will launch the recovery process.With the help of medicines, the stages of the first and second can effectively combat more complex treatment methods for more complex cases.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
Physiotherapy helps get rid of minor pain and consolidate the result of pharmacological treatment.The following procedures are applied:
- phonoforesis;
- Magnetotherapy;
- impact of vibration;
- Dutochoenzor-therapy.
Most procedures can be carried out only during remission.The moment in which physiotherapy is used is more issued by the doctor.To achieve the therapeutic effect, you must visit the physiotherapy cabinet regularly.At least 7-10 procedures are required to obtain a persistent improvement.
Manual therapy
With the help of manual therapy, it is possible to get rid of rigidity, muscle spasms and pain.A direct effect on the affected area with the hands allows you to create conditions for the rapid restoration of the spine.With osteochondrosis, it is possible to eliminate the load that can occur due to an incorrect posture.The manual specialist acts on the lumbar and the whole back with massage movements.The effect of manual therapy is remarkable after several procedures.
Manual therapy must be performed only by a qualified specialist who has all the necessary certificates.The inappropriate impact on the backbone will aggravate the situation.
Medical Physical Education
A person with osteochondrosis must strive to correct the posture and strengthen the muscle corset.The LFK complex can be used during remission.The following exercises can be performed:
- Knee and take the emphasis lying down.Make your head and double your back, then lower your head, returning to your original position.Repeat 8-10 times.
- Lie on your back.Alternatively, double the legs in the knee joint.Repeat 10-12 times.
As the muscles are strengthened, the load can increase.Static exercises can be used to strengthen lumbar muscles.A specific complex is selected depending on the individual characteristics of a person and the degree of osteochondrosis injury.After achieving persistent remission, you must continue participating in physical education.This is one of the best disease prevention.
Popular recipes
Several natural compresses can be used to relieve pain and inflammation.Among the most effective recipes are:
- Mustanese and vodka.It will require 50 g of dry mustard, 100 ml of vodka and 50 ml of alcohol in Campaire.The components are mixed and insisted for 10 hours.A rag is moistened in the resulting liquid and applies to the affected area for 20-25 minutes 2 times a day.The treatment course is 7-10 days.
- Compress of raw and honey potatoes.Clean and grind the potato, then mix with honey.Put the resulting consistency in the lumbar region, cover with polyethylene and fixola.The compress remains for 30-45 minutes.
Heating compresses will help get rid of pain.Persistent improvement is possible when combining with other treatment methods.
Surgical intervention
Surgical intervention is an extreme measure that is used in case of irreversible tissue changes.Using the operation, the cause of pain is eliminated.Most of the time, a discoctomy is carried out, during which the intervertebral disc that compresses the nerve is partially or completely eliminated.A specific type of surgical intervention is selected individually.It is worth noting that it is quite difficult to carry out any operation in the spine.
The therapeutic effect of a single surgical intervention is not always achieved.If a person withdraw with treatment for a long time, several operations may be required.
Prevention
A person can easily prevent or stop the development of osteochondrosis using prevention.The following actions will be required:
- wearOrthopedic mattresses and pillows;
- Follow the posture, especially with a sedentary lifestyle;
- wearExercise therapy;
- participate in swimming;
- Balanced to eat;
- Visit the masseuse.
It will also be necessary to submit regularly to preventive exams using modern hardware methods.And with a predisposition to osteochondrosis, it is desirable not to participate in severe sports.This applies to the prevention of not only the osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, but also the intervertebral osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.
Possible complications
First, osteochondrosis is aggravated by severe pain.During the development of the disease, the distance between the vertebrae decreases.In the end, this leads to a pinch of nervous and sharp pain syndrome.Besides,The following complications may appear:
- outgoing;
- intervertebral hernias;
- violation of the blood supply to the spinal cord;
- paralysis.
The sooner a person begins the treatment, with less likely to find any complication of osteochondrosis.The most dangerous are the protuberance of cervical osteochondrosis, but this 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 column 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 distribution changes.However, serious forms of the disease are treated through surgical intervention.
- For prevention, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor posture and avoid heavy loads.
- If the disease course begins,There is a risk of serious complications until paralysis..