Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is a disease with fairly pronounced symptoms, which manifest themselves in the late stages of the development of the disease. Pathological changes begin to occur in the intervertebral discs, but then they 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 case. However, there are a number of specific signs by which this pathology can be diagnosed. It is extremely important to recognize the disease at an early stage 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 lumbosacral spine leads to progressive destruction of the disc and is therefore characterized by fairly severe symptoms. The most common manifestations include:- Intense pain localized in the lumbar region.
- Feeling of fullness and stiffness.
- The pain may be throbbing in nature and may also be localized along the entire length of the lower extremities.
- Feeling of numbness in the back and legs.
There are other, less obvious signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine. The anatomical features of the structure of the female body influence the manifestations of this disease, which are somewhat 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.
Main features of osteochondrosis pathology
Osteochondrosis of the sacral lumbar spine is an extremely dangerous disease, so it is important to know its symptoms and treatment, which will avoid surgical intervention. This disease has the following characteristics:
- This type of pathology is the most common among all types of osteochondrosis. It is diagnosed in approximately 65% of the total number of recorded cases.
- There is a clear link between this disease and natural age-related changes. Statistics show that after 70 years, almost 80% of people suffer from manifestations of this disease.
- The disease can appear at a much younger age. The risk group includes people engaged in heavy physical work or who are in a monotonous position for a long time.
- The cause of osteochondrosis can be congenital anomalies, as well as provoking factors of various types.
Causes of spinal diseases
Before answering how to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis, it is important to know the main reasons that influenced the progression of the pathological process:
- Overweight. Overweight people are at risk because their extra weight puts increased pressure on their spine.
- Back injuries and damage.
- Passive lifestyle. There is even a certain list of professions whose representatives suffer from this disease more often - these are drivers, office workers and other types of work characterized by prolonged exposure to the same positions.
- Lifting heavy objects and loads. There are certain rules, if they are 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 important nutritional elements to normalize metabolic processes and improve bone structure, the disease will progress. That is why 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.
Loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs can also be caused by various diseases of the cardiovascular system and diseases of an infectious nature.
Sacrolumbar osteochondrosis
Main stages of the disease:
It has a clear tendency to considerably worsen the clinical picture if appropriate treatment is not instituted in time. The severity of the symptoms depends on the stage of the disease, of which there are four:
- First stage. At an early stage, pain appears, which occurs under the influence of various loads. This condition is characterized by lumbodynia and lumbago - these are certain types of pain that can be stable or throbbing.
- Second step. There is a violation of the stability of the intervertebral disc, which leads to muscle spasms. The structure of the annulus fibrosus is destroyed and the gelatinous contents protrude. The pain syndrome becomes more constant and more pronounced.
- Third step. The disc prolapses, leading to pinched nerves. This condition leads to severe pain in the back and legs, impaired sensitivity, dysfunction of the pelvic organs and muscle atrophy.
- Fourth step. At this stage, bone growths in the lesions and changes in the structure of the spine are diagnosed. It becomes much more difficult for the patient to move, the pain becomes constant, unbearable, which can lead to complete disability in the future.
Methods for diagnosing back diseases
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is based on accurate diagnosis. If you experience the first symptoms of this disease, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor for appropriate help, which will help avoid worsening of the disease. Establishing a diagnosis begins with a preliminary anamnesis, after which a number of diagnostic measures are prescribed to the patient:
- X-ray examination. With its help, you can assess the condition of the vertebrae for the presence of abnormalities. We can see a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs, identify osteophytes and a narrowing of the space between the joints.
- To scan. It allows you to see the state of the structure of the entire spine and its individual components. Allows you 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 an intervertebral hernia, determine compression of nerve roots and other pathologies. If this diagnostic method is contraindicated for the patient, CT scanning is used.
A consultation with specialized specialists may also be indicated to clarify the diagnosis.
The main methods of treatment of the lumbosacral spine
If you want to know how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine, the following information will be useful to you. This pathology is characterized by a gradual course of the disease, which can be replaced by periods of remission and exacerbation. Initially, you need to get rid of pain and relieve the inflammatory process. For these purposes, appropriate drug treatment is used using modern injectable and oral agents. The first category of drugs is used if you need to quickly get rid of severe pain. As for oral medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. The above medications are effective in relieving pain of varying intensity. Medicines from other groups are also effective in treating the disease:
- Chondroprotectors. They have a positive effect on cartilage tissue and promote regeneration processes.
- Muscle relaxers. They aim to eliminate muscle spasms.
- External means. Creams, gels and ointments are aimed at eliminating severe symptoms of the disease, but their effectiveness is not as high as that of injectable and oral agents.
Physiotherapy
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is a long process, requiring an integrated approach. After getting rid of the main symptoms, you can proceed to the use of various physiotherapeutic procedures:
- UHF therapy.Exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields. It has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect and also promotes the launch of regeneration processes.
- Amplipulse.Low frequency currents are applied to problem areas of the body. There is dilation of blood vessels, relief of pain and spasms.
- Phonophoresis and electrophoresis.Introduction of drugs into deep tissues using ultrasound and direct current.
Massage procedures are also widely used, which are possible only after the inflammatory process is relieved. Massage promotes muscle relaxation and relief from spasms.
Diet - comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis
With this disease, it is necessary to act comprehensively, so changing the diet is a completely effective method of treatment. The diet complies with the generally accepted concept of healthy eating, so try to add the following types of foods to your diet:
- Citrus fruits (in the absence of allergies).
- Olive oil.
- Fresh herbs and vegetables.
- Mineral water.
- Fish and foods containing high amounts of phosphorus, protein, magnesium and calcium.
- Dairy and fermented milk products.
Ready-made vitamin complexes, which are found in large assortments in pharmacy chains, would be an excellent help. Remember that all medications should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor.
Back pain prevention methods
Everyone knows that it is much easier to prevent a disease than to treat it and get rid of its consequences. In addition, effective preventive measures are quite easy to implement in practice if you really want to. Key recommendations include:
- Good organization of the workplace.Watch your body position, trying to avoid uncomfortable positions. If you spend a lot of time in front of the computer, buy a comfortable chair with a back that will support your spine.
- Take breaks from your work.Get up from your seat more often, warm up your body by performing regular body turns. Squats and bends are also helpful.
- Normalize your day.First of all, we are talking about rest, so try to go to bed early, excluding prolonged sitting 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 intense workouts and heavy lifting.An excellent alternative would be swimming, yoga and regular walking in the fresh air.
Conclusion:
Now you know how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region without resorting to surgical intervention. Surgery is the most radical method of treatment when the disease is already advanced and there is no other way out. But it is in your power to ensure that your health does not deteriorate to such a state.