How to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is a disease with relatively significant symptoms, which manifest itself in the late stages of the disease's development. Pathological changes first 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 individual, depending on the specific clinical case. However, there are some specific signs based on which this pathology can be diagnosed. It is very important to recognize the disease at an early stage to exclude the possibility of complete destruction of the intervertebral disc and surgical intervention.

Common symptoms of pain in the spine

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine leads to the gradual destruction of the disc, so it is characterized by fairly clear symptoms. The most common manifestations include:

• Intense pain localized in the lumbar region.
• Feeling of fullness and stiffness.
• The pain can shoot naturally and can also be localized along the entire lower part of the foot.
• Numbness in the back and legs.

There are other less obvious signs of osteochondrosis in the lumbosacral spine. The anatomical features of the structure of the female body affect the manifestation of this disease, which is quite different from the symptoms in men. In addition to pain, the following symptoms can be observed:

• Urinary incontinence.
• Frequent urge to empty the bladder.
• Severity of diseases of the genitourinary system.

The main pathological features of the disease in osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar sacral spine is a very 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 all recorded cases.
• There is a clear connection between this disease and the natural changes associated with age. Statistics show that after 70 years, almost 80% of people experience manifestations of this disease.
• This disease can appear at a much younger age. The risk group includes people who are involved in intense physical labor or who are in a boring position for a long time.
• The cause of osteochondrosis can be congenital anomalies, as well as various provoking factors.

Causes of spine disease

Before answering how to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis, it is important to know the main reasons that influence the development of the pathological process:

• Overweight. People who are overweight are at risk because their extra weight increases the pressure on their spine.
• Back injuries and damage.
• Passive lifestyle. There is even a list of certain 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 position.
• Lifting heavy objects and loads. There are certain rules, if not followed, the disease may develop.
• Frequent pressure in the back. They can be associated not only with one's professional activities, but also with sports.
• Eating the wrong food. If the diet does not have nutritional elements that are important in normalizing metabolic processes and improving bone structure, then the disease will develop. That is why diet is one of the methods of complex therapy.
• Genetic factor.
• Body hypothermia.
• A person's physical activity is low.
• Flat feet and scoliosis.

Loss of elasticity of the intervertebral disc can also be caused by various diseases of the cardiovascular system and diseases of an infectious nature.

Sacral-lumbar osteochondrosis

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 symptoms depends on the stage of the disease, of which there are only four:

• First stage. At the initial stage, pain appears, which occurs under the influence of various loads. This condition is characterized by lumbodynia and lumbago - this is a certain type of pain that can be stable or shooting.
• Second stage. There is a violation of the stability of the intervertebral disc, which leads to muscle spasms. The fibrous ring structure is destroyed and the gelatin content stands out. The pain syndrome becomes more constant and significant.
• Third stage. A prolapsed disc, which leads to a pinched nerve. This condition leads to severe pain in the back and legs, impaired sensitivity, pelvic organ dysfunction and muscle atrophy may occur.
• Fourth stage. At this stage, bone growth in the lesion and changes in the structure of the spine are diagnosed. It becomes more difficult for the patient to move, the pain becomes constant, unbearable, which in the future can cause complete disability.

Methods for diagnosing back diseases

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is based on making an accurate diagnosis. If you experience the first symptoms of this disease, it is recommended to immediately see a doctor to get appropriate help, which will help to avoid worsening the situation. Making a diagnosis begins with taking an initial history, after which the patient is prescribed several diagnostic steps:

• X-ray examination. With its help, you can assess the condition of the vertebrae for the presence of anomalies. You can see a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, identify osteophytes and narrowing of the space between the joints.
• CT scan. It allows you to see the state of the overall structure of the spine and its individual components. Allows you to determine the stage of the disease and the presence of pathology of the bone structure.
• MRI. This method is the most informative of all the above. With its help, you can see intervertebral hernias, determine nerve root compression and other pathologies. If this diagnostic method is contraindicated for the patient, then CT is used.

Consultation with a specialist may also be indicated to clarify the diagnosis.

The main method of treating the lumbosacral spine

If you want to know how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine, then 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 relieve pain and relieve the inflammatory process. For this purpose, appropriate drug therapy is used using modern injections and oral agents. The first category of drugs is used if you need to quickly get rid of severe pain. For oral medication, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. The above medicines are good for pain relief at varying degrees of intensity. Medicines from other groups are also effective in treating diseases:

• Chondroprotectors. They have a positive effect on cartilage tissue and promote the regeneration process.
• Relax the muscles. They are intended to relieve muscle spasms.
• External meaning. Creams, gels and ointments are intended to relieve severe symptoms of the disease, but their effectiveness is not as high as compared to injections and oral agents.

Physiotherapy

Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is a long process, requires an integrated approach. After you get 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 promotes the launch of regenerative processes.
• Amplipulse.Low frequency current is applied to the problem body part. There is an expansion of blood vessels, relieving pain and spasms.
• Phonophoresis and electrophoresis.Drug introduction into deep tissue using ultrasound and direct current.

Massage procedures are also widely used, which is possible only after the inflammatory process has subsided. Massage promotes muscle relaxation and relieves 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 consistent with the generally accepted concept of healthy eating, so try adding the following types of food to your diet:

• Citrus fruits (if there is no allergy).
• Olive oil.
• Fresh herbs and vegetables.
• Mineral water.
• Fish and foods that contain large amounts of phosphorus, protein, magnesium and calcium.
• Dairy products and fermented milk.

An excellent help is a ready-made vitamin complex, which can be found in various types in the pharmacy chain. Remember that all medicines should be taken only as prescribed by the doctor.

Prevention methods for back pain

Everyone knows that preventing disease is easier than treating it and getting rid of its consequences. Moreover, effective preventive measures are relatively easy to implement in practice if you really want to. Key recommendations include:

• Proper workplace organization.Monitor your body position, try to avoid awkward positions. If you spend a lot of time in front of 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 using regular body rotations. Squatting and bending over are also useful.
• Normalize your day.First of all, we are talking about rest, so try to go to bed early, excluding sitting for a long time in front of 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 exercise and heavy lifting.The best alternatives are swimming, yoga and regular walks 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 treatment method when the disease is 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.