Osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral spine is a disease with fairly clear symptoms that manifest themselves in the later stages of the disease. Pathological changes begin to occur in the intervertebral discs, but then spread to other parts - joints, ligaments and vertebral bodies. Lumbosacral osteochondrosis rarely occurs in young people, and its symptoms and treatment are always strictly individual, depending on the specific clinical situation. However, there are a number of specific symptoms that can be diagnosed with this pathology. It is extremely important to recognize the disease in the early stages in order to exclude the possibility of complete destruction of the intervertebral disc and surgical intervention.
Typical symptoms of pain in the spine
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral spine leads to the gradual destruction of the disc, so it is characterized by very bright symptoms. The most common manifestations include:- Severe pain localized in the lumbar region.
- A feeling of fullness and stiffness.
- The pain can be burning in nature and can be localized along the entire length of the lower limbs.
- Numbness in the back and legs.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral spine has other, less obvious symptoms. The anatomical features of the structure of the female body affect the manifestations of this disease, which are slightly different from the symptoms in men. In addition to pain, the following symptoms may be noted:
- Urinary incontinence.
- Frequent urge to empty the bladder.
- Exacerbation of diseases of the genitourinary system.
The main features of the pathology of the disease in osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar sacral spine is an extremely dangerous disease, so it is important to know its symptoms and treatment, which will prevent surgery. This disease has the following characteristics:
- This type of pathology is the most common among all types of osteochondrosis. It is diagnosed in about 65% of the total number of registered cases.
- There is a clear connection between this disease and natural age-related changes. Statistics show that after 70 years, almost 80% of people suffer from the manifestations of this disease.
- The disease can appear at a younger age. The risk group includes people engaged in intensive physical labor or in a monotonous position for a long time.
- The cause of osteochondrosis can be congenital anomalies, as well as various types of inciting factors.
Causes of spinal disease
Before answering how to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis, it is important to know the main reasons that affect the development of the pathological process:
- Excess weight. Overweight people are at risk because their extra weight puts increased pressure on the spine.
- Back injuries and injuries.
- Passive lifestyle. There is even a specific list of professions whose representatives suffer from this disease more often - these are drivers, office workers and other types of work characterized by long exposure to the same duties.
- Lifting heavy objects and loads. There are certain rules, if not followed, this disease can develop.
- Frequent stress on the back. They can be associated not only with a person's professional activity, but also with sports.
- Eating the wrong foods. If the diet lacks nutrients that are important for normalizing metabolic processes and improving bone structure, the disease progresses. Therefore, diet is one of the methods of complex therapy.
- Genetic factors.
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Low physical activity of a person.
- Flat feet and scoliosis.
The loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs can also be caused by various diseases of the cardiovascular system and diseases of an infectious nature.
Sacral-lumbar osteochondrosis
The main stages of the disease:
If appropriate treatment is not started in time, it tends to significantly worsen the clinical picture. The severity of symptoms depends on the stage of the disease, there are only four of them:
- The first stage. In the early stage, pain occurs under the influence of various loads. This condition is characterized by lumbodynia and lumbago - these are certain types of pain that can be constant or burning.
- The second stage. There is instability of the intervertebral disc, which causes muscle spasm. The structure of the fibrous ring breaks down and the gelatin contents come out. The pain syndrome becomes more stable and expressive.
- The third stage. The disc prolapses, which causes compression of the nerves. This condition causes severe pain in the back and legs, sensory disturbances, pelvic dysfunction and muscle atrophy may occur.
- The fourth stage. At this stage, bone growths and changes in the structure of the spine are diagnosed in the lesions. It becomes very difficult for the patient to move, the pain becomes constant, unbearable, which can lead to complete disability in the future.
Methods of diagnosing back pain
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral spine is based on accurate diagnosis. If you feel the first symptoms of this disease, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor for appropriate help, which will help to worsen the condition. Making a diagnosis begins with collecting an initial history, after which the patient is prescribed a number of diagnostic measures:
- X-ray examination. With its help, you can assess the condition of the vertebra for anomalies. You can see a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs, determine the osteophytes and the narrowing of the space between the joints.
- CT scan. This allows you to see the condition of the structure of the entire spine and its individual components. It allows to determine the stage of the disease and the presence of pathology of bone structures.
- MRI. This method is the most informative of all the above. With its help, you can see the intervertebral hernia, determine compression of nerve roots and other pathologies. If this diagnostic method is contraindicated for the patient, then CT is used.
Consultations with specialized specialists may also be indicated to clarify the diagnosis.
The main methods of treatment of the lumbar-sacral spine
If you want to know how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral spine, then the following information will be useful for you. This pathology is characterized by a gradual course of the disease, which can be replaced by periods of remission and exacerbation. First of all, it is necessary to get rid of the pain and eliminate the inflammatory process. For these purposes, appropriate drug treatment using modern injection and oral agents is used. If you need to quickly get rid of severe pain, drugs of the first category are used. As for oral drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. The above drugs are good at relieving pain of varying degrees of intensity. Medicines from other groups are also effective in the treatment of the disease:
- Chondroprotectors. They have a positive effect on cartilage tissue and promote regeneration processes.
- Muscle relaxants. They are aimed at getting rid of muscle spasms.
- External means. Creams, gels and ointments are aimed at relieving the severe symptoms of the disease, but their effectiveness is not as high as that of injections and oral agents.
Physiotherapy
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is a long process, requires an integrated approach. After getting rid of the main symptoms, you can continue using various physiotherapeutic procedures:
- UHF therapy.Exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields. It has an anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect, and also helps to initiate regenerative processes.
- Amplipulse.Low-frequency currents are applied to problem areas of the body. There is expansion of blood vessels, elimination of pains and spasms.
- Phonophoresis and electrophoresis.Deep tissue delivery of drugs using ultrasound and direct current.
Massage procedures are also widely used, which is possible only after the removal of the inflammatory process. Massage helps to relax muscles and get rid of spasms.
Diet - comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis
It is necessary to act comprehensively with this disease, so changing the diet is a completely effective method of treatment. The diet is in line with the generally accepted concept of healthy eating, so try to include the following types of food in your diet:
- Citrus fruits (if there is no allergy).
- Olive oil.
- Fresh herbs and vegetables.
- Mineral water.
- Fish and foods with large amounts of phosphorus, protein, magnesium and calcium.
- Milk and fermented milk products.
An excellent help will be ready-made vitamin complexes, which can be found in a large variety in pharmacy chains. Remember that all medicines should be taken only as prescribed by the doctor.
Ways to prevent back pain
Everyone knows that it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it and get rid of its consequences. Moreover, if you really want to, effective preventive measures are quite easy to implement in practice. Key recommendations include:
- Proper organization of the workplace.Monitor your body position, avoid awkward positions. If you spend a lot of time at the computer, then buy a comfortable chair with a back that will support your spine.
- Take a break from work.Get up from your seat more often, warm up your body with regular body rotations. Squatting and bending over are also helpful.
- Normalize your day.First of all, it's about rest, so try to go to bed early, except for sitting for a long time at the computer. It is important to choose the right orthopedic mattress that will support your spine while you sleep.
- Get rid of bad habits.
- Avoid vigorous exercise and heavy lifting.An excellent alternative would be swimming, yoga and regular walks in the fresh air.
Result:
Now you know how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region without resorting to surgical intervention. Surgery is the most radical treatment method when the disease has already progressed and there is no other way out. But it is in your power to ensure that your health does not fall into such a state.