How to treat spondylosis of the lumbar-sacral spine

Spondylosis of the lumbar spine - severe pathology faced by patients of all ages. High load, lifting, natural aging, failures in metabolic processes degrade various parts of the skeleton.

Degenerative changes in the anterolateral parts of the intervertebral disc are observed not only in the elderly. Doctors with regret: "The disease is younger." How to prevent spondylosis? What if the disease progresses? Let's investigate.

What it is?

Spondylosis - pathological process characterized by degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs. At the same time it suffers not completely all the intervertebral disc and the outer fibrous ring, his anterolateral departments. In this zone are formed osteophytes - abnormal growths of bone tissue of the vertebrae. In everyday life osteophytes sometimes called spikes.

What causes?

Degenerative changes of the vertebrae, and bones and joints in general, come to the age of forty or older. However, not all people are susceptible to this disease.

There are certain factors that trigger this pathology.

1. Injuries or microtraumas spine - regeneration of damaged structures can go in the pathological direction, thereby forming the excess bone mass.
2. Sedentary lifestyle - at which there is atrophy of the musculo-ligamentous apparatus, and there are degenerative processes in the joints.
3. Rachiocampsis - maldistribution of gravity promotes deformation of the vertebrae and the muscles overvoltage, whereby the reparative processes are started and are formed spikes.
4. Metabolic disorders - whereby the excess calcium salts are deposited in the joint slots, causing the formation of osteophytes, because calcium stimulates the growth of bone tissue.
5. Prolonged static load on the spine - It includes: sitting at your desk for a long time without changing the position or reading a book in a permanent position. During this there is a strong pressure on specific vertebrae, which in turn react to this factor, causing an increase in its area. Over time, this reaction to become pathological, as a result begin to form bony prominences.

The first stage of the disease itself can not be, but with the progression and increasing osteophytes appear related symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

Manifestations of spondylosis lumbar spine change as the disease progresses:

1. In most cases, spondylosis of the lumbar spine affects the lumbar 4 and 5 vertebrae, there is little in the early stages of pain, spinal mobility is not limited;
2. As the proliferation of bony outgrowths enhanced stimulation of the front ligament appear aching, dull pain in the lumbar region;
3. If the patient at this stage, seeks medical help, it can be seen on x-ray already bony outgrowths;
4. A characteristic feature of spondylosis - reduction or elimination of pain, if the patient is taking, "fetal position" or leans forward. The load on the longitudinal ligaments department is reduced, the patient is relieved;
5. As the proliferation of osteophytes amplified voltage in the lumbar region. Gradually deteriorating trophic intervertebral discs, enhanced vascular spasm;
6. The distance between the vertebrae is reduced, increasing the pressure on the nerve roots. The pain is worse, it gives feet, spondylosis symptoms resemble episodes of sciatica;
7. Often at a deforming spondylosis numb the lower limbs;
8. Progression of disease increases the pain in the back, snaring, partially or completely lost ability to work.

Pain intensity, their duration depends on the stage of development of spondylosis. If you notice at least two features of the above, it is a good reason to get tested.

Diagnostics

Before spondyloarthrosis treat the symptoms, it is recommended to diagnose the disease in order to determine its location, as well as the extent of the nerve endings.

It means: computed tomography, or CT; magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI.

Through these activities, the doctor can see the current state of the spine, nerve endings, the channel width and the height of the intervertebral disc. In particular, CT is detected by the presence of stenosis.

Additionally, radiographic examination is appointed. It allows you to determine whether there are osteophytes. This survey also makes it clear how mobile vertebrae. It is important to understand that when the first symptoms should contact a doctor, because only in this case the management of the condition will be most effective.

How to treat spondylosis?

Treating spondylosis, lumbar spine should be complex, carried out under the constant supervision of a specialist. Patient must be prepared for the fact that the recovery process will be long, and to stop pathological process will have to take certain medications and deal with medical exercise all his life. But such a serious approach to the disease in question would eliminate early disability to maintain performance for years to come.

medication

Spondylosis treatment with drugs is symptomatic. However, this part of the therapy is no less important than the other. Elimination of symptoms of the disease helps the patient to return to daily activities and quality of life.

As treatment following medications may be:

1. NSAIDs - eliminate pain, swelling, inflammation in the back.
2. Vitamins of group B - are used in the presence of neurologic symptoms, improve the metabolism of the nervous tissues.
3. Glucocorticoids - hormones with a lot of side effects. Apply to the inefficiency of NSAIDs.
4. Muscle relaxants - eliminate the spasm of the lumbar muscles, which is often observed in spondylosis.
5. Local irritants - help get rid of pain without systemic effect. If the patient enough of these funds should not be used other painkillers.

Specific drugs and dosages are selected individually. The doctor should assess the patient's condition, prescribe the correct combination treatment.

Physiotherapy

Physical therapy procedures in the treatment of lumbar spondylosis department:

1. Mud applications and baths - a general calming effect, removing spasms, improve lymphatic drainage.
2. Warming - reduced and speed up the metabolism in the affected area.
3. Electrophoresis - coursework assignment allow stopping painful symptoms, contribute to the restoration of metabolism, relieve inflammation.
4. Vacuum therapy - helps accelerate the elimination of toxins, improve blood circulation, improve the functionality of the ligamentous apparatus.
5. Electromyostimulation - improves muscle power, relieves painful symptoms.

Massage

Methods of manual therapy shows good results in the treatment of lumbar spondylosis, so it is often prescribed by the doctor in the complex therapy. Massage is not carried out in the acute form spondylosis, in all other cases, it helps to improve the effect of the treatment.

Since the procedure, the therapist has one of four purposes:

• relieve tension muscle tissue;
• restore the overall tone of the body;
• reduce the symptoms of pain;
• improve blood circulation and metabolism in the affected area.

Before the procedure, the massage should be familiar with contraindications:

• fungus;
• purulent lesions of the skin;
• swelling;
• fever;
• presence in the organism of any inflammation;
• tuberculosis in active form;
• phlebeurysm;
• bleeding;
• osteomyelitis;
• swollen lymph nodes.

In order to prevent possible complications also need to follow the instructions of a chiropractor and observe the following rules during massages:

• the first few procedures have to be gentle;
• movements carried out only from the bottom up - in the direction of the flow of lymph;
• 2 hours before the massage should not be eaten;
• the patient must lie on a solid surface (single manipulation can be conducted in a chair or chair);
• massage therapist can not touch spine - worked only soft tissue.

In this case the duration of each session will vary depending on the particular equipment and the patient, the treatment includes usually from 10 to 15 treatments.

Exercises

Sample exercises with lumbar spondylosis (each repeat 5-6 times):

1. Lying on your back, arms along the body straight, bend your knees and pull them towards your chest.
2. Get up on all fours, raise your head and slowly bend back, return to the starting position.
3. The same position, raise your head and straighten the leg, pulling it back, and then the same with the other leg.
4. Position is the same, lower forearm to the floor, return to starting position.
5. Lie on your back, hands behind head, legs bent at the knees and tighten to the abdomen, hugging her knees and pull them to the head, to return to its original position.

prevention

It consists in removing the causes of lumbosacral spondylosis. Win two of them, aging and heredity, can not be. Everything else is amenable to correction.

For the prevention of disease should:

1. Reduce body weight when it is excess;
2. Eating right, eating useful for spine dishes with gelatin;
3. Giving the right spine physical activity;
4. Relax "clogged" the muscles;
5. Wear supporting corset.

All of these measures can not only eliminate the occurrence of the disease, but also to slow down its development with already existing diagnosis.