How to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine?

20 November 2023

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is a disease with quite pronounced symptoms, which manifests itself in the later stages of the development of the disease. Pathological changes initially appear 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 and depend 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 detect the disease in its early stages to rule out complete destruction of the disc and surgical intervention.

Typical symptoms of pain in the spine

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine leads to gradual destruction of the intervertebral disc and therefore is characterized by quite vivid symptoms. The most common manifestations include:

Intense pain localized in the lumbar region.
Feeling of fullness and stiffness.
The pain can be of a stabbing nature and can also be localized along the entire length of the lower extremities.
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 affect 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 the pathology of the disease in osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is an extremely dangerous disease, so it is important to know its symptoms and treatment to prevent surgery. This disease has the following features:

This type of pathology is the most common among all types of osteochondrosis. It is diagnosed in around 65% of all 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 manifestations of this disease.
The disease can occur at a much younger age. The risk group includes people who do heavy physical work or are in a monotonous position for a long time.
The cause of osteochondrosis can be congenital anomalies, as well as provoking factors of various kinds.

Causes of spinal diseases

Before answering the question of 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 long-term employment in the same positions.
Lifting heavy objects and loads. There are certain rules, if not followed, this disease can develop.
Frequent strain 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. 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.

The loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs can also be caused by various diseases of the cardiovascular system and infectious diseases.

Sacral-lumbar osteochondrosis

Main stages of the disease:

There is a clear tendency for the clinical picture to worsen significantly if appropriate treatment is not started in a timely manner. The severity of symptoms depends on the stage of the disease, of which there are only four:

First stage. At an early stage, pain appears that occurs under the influence of various stresses. This condition is characterized by lumbodynia and lumbago - these are specific types of pain that can be stable or stabbing.
Second floor. There is a violation of the stability of the intervertebral disc, which leads to muscle spasms. The structure of the fibrous ring is destroyed and the gelatinous contents emerge. The pain syndrome becomes more constant and pronounced.
Third section. The disc prolapses, resulting in pinched nerves. This condition leads to severe pain in the back and legs, sensory impairment, dysfunction of the pelvic organs and muscle atrophy can occur.
Fourth stage. 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 and 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 an accurate diagnosis. If you experience the first symptoms of this disease, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor for appropriate help to avoid worsening the condition. The diagnosis begins with a preliminary anamnesis, after which the patient is prescribed a number of diagnostic measures:

X-ray examination. With its help you can assess the condition of the vertebrae for the presence of anomalies. You can notice a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs, detect osteophytes and narrow the space between the joints.
CT scan. It allows you to identify 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 of the above. With its help, you can detect an intervertebral hernia, detect compression of nerve roots and other pathologies. If this diagnostic method is contraindicated for the patient, CT is used.

Consultation with specialized doctors may also be advisable 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. First of all, you need to eliminate pain and relieve the inflammatory process. For this purpose, appropriate drug therapy with modern injection and oral agents is used. The first category of drugs is used when it is necessary to quickly eliminate severe pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as oral medications. The above drugs relieve pain of varying intensity well. Drugs from other groups are also effective in treating the disease:

Chondroprotectors. They have a positive effect on the cartilage tissue and promote regeneration processes.
Muscle relaxants. They are aimed at eliminating muscle spasms.
External funds. Creams, gels and ointments are aimed at eliminating the severe symptoms of the disease, but their effectiveness is not so high compared to injection and oral agents.

physical therapy

Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is a long process, which requires an integrated approach. After eliminating the primary symptoms, you can proceed to the use of various physiotherapeutic procedures:

UHF therapy.Exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields. It has an anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving effect and also promotes the initiation of regenerative processes.
Amplipulse.Low-frequency currents are applied to problem areas of the body. There is an expansion of the blood vessels, relief of pain and cramps.
Phonophoresis and electrophoresis.Introducing medication into deep tissue using ultrasound and direct current.

Massage procedures are also widespread and are only possible after the inflammatory process has been relieved. The massage promotes muscle relaxation and relief from cramps.

Diet - comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis

This disease requires comprehensive action, so changing your diet is quite an effective method of treatment. The diet corresponds to the generally accepted concept of a healthy diet. Therefore, try to include the following foods in your diet:

Citrus fruits (unless you have allergies).
Olive oil.
Fresh herbs and vegetables.
Mineral water.
Fish and foods contain large amounts of phosphorus, protein, magnesium and calcium.
Dairy products and fermented milk products.

An excellent tool would be ready-made vitamin complexes, which can be found in large assortments in pharmacy chains. Remember that all medications should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.

Prevention methods for back pain

Everyone knows that it is much easier to prevent a disease than to treat it and eliminate its consequences. In addition, effective prevention measures are quite easy to put into practice if you really want to. Key recommendations include:

Proper organization of the workplace.Monitor your posture and try to avoid awkward positions. If you spend a lot of time at the computer, buy a comfortable chair with a backrest that supports your spine.
Take breaks from work.Stand up more often and warm up your body by rotating your body regularly. Squats and bending are also useful.
Normalize your day.First and foremost it's about peace. So try to go to bed early and avoid sitting at the computer for a long time. It is important to choose the right orthopedic mattress that will support your spine while sleeping.
Get rid of bad habits.
Avoid intense exercise and heavy lifting.An excellent alternative would be swimming, yoga and regular walks in the fresh air.

Diploma:

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 already advanced and there is no other way out. However, it is within your power to ensure that your health does not deteriorate to such a state.