How to Treat Lumbosacral Osteochondrosis

Lumbosacral vertebrae osteochondrosis is a disease with quite obvious symptoms, which manifests itself late in the development of the disease. Pathological changes begin in the intervertebral discs, but later spread to other parts - joints, ligaments and vertebral bodies. Lumbosacral osteochondrosis rarely occurs in young people, and its symptoms and treatment are always strictly individualized, 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 in its early stages to exclude the possibility of complete destruction of the disc and surgical intervention.

Typical symptoms of spinal pain

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral vertebrae causes progressive destruction of the intervertebral discs and is therefore very symptomatic. The most common manifestations include:

• Severe pain concentrated in the lower back.
• Feeling of fullness and stiffness.
• The pain can be severe or occur along the entire length of the lower limb.
• Feeling numb in back and legs.

Lumbosacral osteochondrosis has other, less obvious symptoms. The anatomical characteristics of the female body structure influence the presentation of the disease, which is somewhat different from the symptoms in men. In addition to pain, the following symptoms may occur:

• Urinary incontinence.
• Frequent urge to empty your bladder.
• Exacerbation of genitourinary diseases.

Main features of osteochondrosis pathology

Lumbosacral osteochondrosis is an extremely dangerous disease, so it is important to understand its symptoms and treatment, which will help prevent surgery. This disease has the following characteristics:

• This type of pathology is the most common of all types of osteochondrosis. Confirmed cases account for approximately 65% of the total recorded cases.
• There is a clear link between this disease and natural age-related changes. Statistics show that 70 years later, almost 80% of people suffer from manifestations of this disease.
• The disease can appear at a younger age. At-risk groups include people who engage in strenuous physical labor or remain in monotonous postures for long periods of time.
• The cause of osteochondrosis may be congenital abnormalities or various predisposing factors.

Causes of spinal disease

Before answering how to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis, it is first necessary to understand the main causes that influence the progression of its pathological process:

• overweight. People who are overweight are at risk because the extra weight puts more pressure on the spine.
• Back injuries and injuries.
• Passive lifestyle. There are even some professions whose representatives are more susceptible to the disease - these include drivers, office workers and other types of work characterized by long-term exposure to the same positions.
• Lift heavy objects and loads. There are certain rules, and if they are not followed, this disease can occur.
• The back is often stressed. They are related not only to a person's professional activities, but also to sports.
• Eat the wrong foods. The disease will progress if the diet is deficient in nutrients important for normal metabolic processes and improved bone structure. This is why diet is one of the methods of complex therapy.
• genetic factors.
• Hypothermia of the body.
• A person's level of physical activity is low.
• Flat feet and scoliosis.

Various cardiovascular diseases and infectious diseases may also cause the intervertebral discs to lose elasticity.

Sacrolumbar osteochondrosis

Main stages of disease:

Failure to initiate appropriate treatment in a timely manner will clearly lead to significant clinical worsening. The severity of symptoms depends on the stage of the disease, of which there are only four:

• The first stage. In the early stages, pain occurs, which occurs under the influence of various loads. This condition is characterized by low back and lower back pain - these are certain types of pain that can be stable or severe.
• second stage. The stability of the intervertebral discs is violated, causing muscle spasms. The annulus fibrosus structure is destroyed and the gelatinous contents protrude. The pain syndrome becomes more persistent and pronounced.
• The third phase. A prolapsed disc causes nerve compression. This condition causes severe pain in the back and legs, impaired sensitivity, pelvic organ dysfunction, and muscle atrophy.
• The fourth stage. At this stage, bone growth in the lesion and changes in spinal structure can be diagnosed. It becomes more difficult for the patient to move and the pain becomes constant and unbearable, which may lead to total disability in the future.

Diagnostic methods for back problems

Treatment of lumbosacral vertebral osteochondrosis is based on accurate diagnosis. If you experience the first symptoms of this disease, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately to get appropriate help, which will help avoid worsening of the condition. Diagnosis starts with taking a preliminary medical history and then taking some diagnostic measures for the patient:

• X-ray examination. With its help, you can evaluate whether there are any abnormalities in the condition of the vertebrae. You can see a decrease in disc height, the formation of osteophytes, and a narrowing of the joint space.
• CT scan. It allows you to see the structural condition of the entire spine and its individual components. Allows you to determine the stage of the disease and whether pathology is present in the bone structure.
• MRI. This method is the most informative of all the methods mentioned above. With it you can see intervertebral hernias, identify nerve root compression and other pathologies. CT is used if the patient contraindicates this diagnostic method.

Consultation with a specialist may also be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Main methods of treating 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 the gradual progression of the disease, which can be replaced by periods of remission and exacerbation. Initially, you need to eliminate pain and relieve the inflammatory process. For these purposes, appropriate medical treatment is carried out using modern injectables and oral agents. Use category 1 medications if you need relief from severe pain quickly. As for oral medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. The above-mentioned drugs can effectively relieve varying degrees of pain. Other groups of drugs are also effective in treating the disease:

• Chondroprotectant. They have a positive effect on cartilage tissue and promote regeneration processes.
• Muscle relaxants. Their purpose is to eliminate muscle spasms.
• external means. Creams, gels, and ointments are designed to eliminate severe symptoms of the disease, but are not as effective as injections and oral medications.

physiotherapy

Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is a long process, a comprehensive approach is needed. After you get rid of your main symptoms, you can continue with various physical therapy procedures:

• Ultra high frequency therapy.Exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties and also promotes the initiation of regenerative processes.
• Amplify the pulse.Low-frequency current is applied to problem areas of the body. It has the effect of dilating blood vessels, relieving pain and spasm.
• electrophoresis and electrophoresis.Uses ultrasound and direct current to introduce drugs into deep tissues.

Massage procedures are also widely used and can be performed only after the inflammatory process has subsided. Massage can promote muscle relaxation and relieve spasms.

Diet-Comprehensive Treatment of Osteochondrosis

Living with this disease requires a combination of actions, so changing your diet is a completely effective treatment. The diet conforms to generally accepted ideas of healthy eating, so try adding 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 products and fermented dairy products.

An excellent help is a ready-made vitamin complex, which can be found in a variety of products in chain pharmacies. Remember, all medications should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor.

How to prevent low back pain

Everyone knows that it is much easier to prevent a disease than to treat it and eliminate its consequences. And, if you really want to, effective preventive measures are easy to implement in practice. Key recommendations include:

• Proper organization of the workplace.Monitor your body posture and try to avoid awkward postures. If you spend a lot of time in front of the computer, invest in a comfortable chair with a backrest that supports your spine.
• Take a break from work.Warm up by standing up from your seat frequently and turning your body regularly. Squats and curls are also useful.
• Normalize your day.First, we’re talking about rest, so try to go to bed early and rule out sitting in front of the computer for long periods of time. It is important to choose the right orthopedic mattress that will support your spine while you sleep.
• Get rid of bad habits.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting.Swimming, yoga and regular walks in the fresh air are a great option.

in conclusion:

Now you know how to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis without surgical intervention. When the disease has progressed to an advanced stage and there is no other way out, surgery is the most fundamental treatment. But you have the power to ensure that your health does not deteriorate to this state.