Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is a disease with quite pronounced symptoms, which manifests itself in the later stages of the disease's development. Pathological changes begin to appear on 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 case. However, there are a number of specific signs on the basis of which this pathology can be diagnosed. 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 spinal pain
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine leads to the gradual destruction of the disc, so it is characterized by quite vivid symptoms. The most common manifestations include:- Intense pain that is localized in the lumbar region.
- Feeling of fullness and stiffness.
- The pain can be of a shooting nature, and it can be localized along the entire length of the lower extremities.
- A feeling of numbness in the back and legs.
There are other, less obvious signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine. Anatomical characteristics 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 can be observed:
- Urinary incontinence.
- Frequent urge to empty the bladder.
- Worsening of diseases of the genitourinary system.
Main characteristics of disease pathology 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 approximately 65% of the total number of recorded 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 much younger age. The risk group includes people who engage in intensive 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 spine disease
Before answering how to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis, it is important to know the main reasons that influenced the progression of the pathological process:
- Excessive weight. Overweight people are at risk because their extra weight increases the pressure on their spine.
- Back injuries and damage.
- Passive lifestyle. There is even a specific list of occupations 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 nutritional elements that are important for normalizing metabolic processes and improving bone structure, then 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 the person.
- Flat feet and scoliosis.
The loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs can be caused by various diseases of the cardiovascular system and diseases of an infectious nature.
Sacral-lumbar osteochondrosis
The main stages of the disease:
It has a clear tendency to significantly worsen the clinical picture if appropriate treatment is not started in time. The severity of the symptoms depends on the stage of the disease, of which there are only four:
- The first stage. In the early stage, pain appears, which occurs under the influence of various loads. This condition is characterized by lumbodia and lumbago - these are certain types of pain that can be stable or bursting.
- The second stage. There is a violation of the stability of the intervertebral disc, which leads to muscle spasm. The structure of the fibrous ring is destroyed and the gelatinous content protrudes. The pain syndrome becomes more constant and pronounced.
- The third phase. The disc prolapses, leading to nerve entrapment. This condition leads to severe back and leg pain, sensitivity disorders, pelvic organ dysfunction and muscle atrophy.
- The fourth stage. At this stage, bony 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 in the future can lead to complete disability.
Methods for diagnosing back diseases
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is based on establishing an 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 avoid worsening of the condition. The diagnosis begins with a preliminary history taking, after which the patient is prescribed a series of diagnostic measures:
- x-ray examination. With its help, you can assess the condition of the vertebrae due to the presence of anomalies. You can see a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs, identify osteophytes and narrowing of the space between the joints.
- CT scanner. It allows you to see the state of the structure of the entire spine and its individual components. It 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, then CT is used.
Consultation with specialized specialists may also be indicated to clarify the diagnosis.
The main methods of treating 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. At first, you need to get rid of the pain and alleviate the inflammatory process. Appropriate drug therapy using modern injections and oral agents is used for these purposes. The first category of drugs is used if you need to quickly get rid of severe pain. As for oral drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. The above drugs are good for relieving pain of varying intensity. Medicines from other groups are also effective in the treatment of diseases:
- Chondroprotectors. They have a positive effect on cartilage tissue and promote regeneration processes.
- Muscle relaxants. They are aimed at eliminating muscle spasms.
- External resources. Creams, gels and ointments are aimed at eliminating the severe symptoms of the disease, but their effectiveness is not as high as compared to injections and oral drugs.
Physiotherapy
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is a long process, require an integrated approach. After you have gotten rid of the primary symptoms, you can apply various physiotherapeutic procedures:
- UHF therapy.Exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields. It has an anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect, and also stimulates the initiation of regenerative processes.
- Amplipulse.Low frequency currents are applied to problem areas of the body. Blood vessels dilate, pain and spasms are alleviated.
- Phonophoresis and electrophoresis.Introduction of drugs into deep tissues by ultrasound and direct current.
Massage procedures are also widely used, which are possible only after the inflammatory process has been eliminated. 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 is in accordance with the generally accepted concept of a healthy diet, 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 food containing large amounts of phosphorus, protein, magnesium and calcium.
- Dairy and fermented dairy products.
A great help would be ready-made vitamin complexes, which can be found in a large assortment in pharmacy chains. Keep in mind that all medications should be taken only as recommended by your doctor.
Methods of back pain prevention
Everyone knows that preventing a disease is much easier than treating it and getting rid of its consequences. Moreover, effective preventive measures are quite easy to put into practice if you really want to. The main recommendations include:
- Proper organization of the workplace.Follow the position of the body, trying to avoid uncomfortable positions. If you spend a lot of time at the computer, then buy a comfortable chair with a backrest that will support your spine.
- Take breaks from work.Get up from your seat more often, warm up your body by turning your body regularly. Squats and bending are also useful.
- Normalize your day.First of all, it's 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 training 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 within your power to ensure that your health does not deteriorate to such a state.