Causes, symptoms and treatment of lumbar chondrosis

One of the most common causes of back pain is chondrosis. This ailment is common both among older men and women, and among young people.

Lumbar chondrosis is a disease associated with the destruction of the cartilaginous ring and intervertebral discs, whose height decreases, the nerve roots are entrapped and edema is formed. As a consequence, hernias can form.

Externally, the disease does not give any symptoms, the disease is only found over time. Chondrosis is the initial stage of osteochondrosis, but differs from it in that it does not go beyond the cartilaginous tissues of the joints.

Causes and risk factors

Chondrosis of the lumbar region is caused by the following reasons:

• abnormal posture( asymmetric load on the vertebrae);
• hard work with dynamic overloads;
• lifting of weights with weak muscles;
• supercooling of the waist and whole body;
• long stay in an uncomfortable position, including sedentary work, driving a car;
• disruption of endocrine system, metabolic process failure;
• heart and vascular disease;
• uneven load on the muscles;
• pathology of the musculoskeletal system( congenital or acquired);
• increased load on the lumbar region( lifting weights, occupying professional sports);
• weak muscular corset, which strengthens the vertical load on the vertebrae.

The main risk factors in which lumbar chondrosis develops:

• age over 50;
• physical inactivity;
• frequently occurring severe stress conditions;
• is overweight;
• constant stoop;
• lack of vitamins and minerals;
• wearing high-heeled shoes, uncomfortable shoe;
• flat feet;
• incorrectly matched bedding: too high pillows, excessively soft mattress.

The more risk factors will be present in a person's life, the higher for him the risk of developing lumbar chondrosis.

Mechanism of development of the disorder

The onset of the disease is characterized by minor degenerative changes, which are manifested by awkwardness in the lower back and a feeling of mild pain during physical exertion.

Then the pain arises periodically, regardless of physical impact, mobility in the lumbar region is disrupted, pathological changes of the fibrous ring develop.

In the absence of proper therapy, the vertebrae are displaced, the pain in the lower back becomes permanent, the mobility is limited, the first signs of a hernia and protrusions appear - protrusion of the intervertebral disc beyond the spine. As a consequence, serious pathologies arise that lead to difficulties in moving, which threatens with disability.

Symptoms of the disease

The main external symptom of lumbar chondrosis is low back pain, which increases with tilts or sitting. When coughing or sneezing, the lower back can "shoot through".There may be chills in the legs, loss of sensitivity of the feet, a feeling of running creepy.

Pain can masquerade as kidney pain, develop the ailments of the urino-genital organs.

During the acute period of the disease, the symptomatology becomes obvious, the lumbar pain becomes more and more tangible, it can give to the legs, the sacrum or buttocks, is strengthened by walking, prolonged standing.

The mobility of the vertebrae is reduced, and this intensifies the pain sensations, the lumbar region is in constant tension, its mobility is limited. The fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc begins to be damaged, cracks appear on the disc.

The chronic stage is characterized by a constant noisy pain in the lower back, increasing at any, even minimal, loads.

Possible violations of the organs of urination, kidneys, intestines and stomach. Intervertebral hernia is formed, there are spasms of muscles, nerve roots are infringed. Pain, in addition to the waist, extends to the perineal region, the outer thigh and reaches the foot.

In the spine, degenerative changes occur, adjacent vertebrae expand in breadth, forming osteophytes. The mobility of the waist is sharply limited, the sleep is disturbed, the working capacity decreases.

Diagnostic methods

In the presence of adverse symptoms it is necessary to undergo a survey to determine the stage of chondrosis, which includes:

1. poll. It is important for the doctor to know the patient's lifestyle, time and peculiarities of symptoms, intensity and localization of pain.
2. Visual inspection of the .The doctor determines the condition of the muscles.
3. When palpation specialist determines the symmetry of the vertebrae and the distance between them.

If an additional examination is needed to determine the stage of the disease, the doctor recommends the patient additional tests:

1. X-ray diffraction pattern .The image is made in two projections to determine the position of the vertebrae, the height of intervertebral discs, to detect the compaction of the marginal bone plates and bone growths.
2. Magnetic Resonance Study of .It is used to determine the state of fibrous rings and vessels.

After the examination, the patient is given appropriate therapy.

Together with medical prescriptions, lumbar chondrosis is successfully treated with folk remedies at home, but it is recommended to get qualified medical advice before using it.

Aims and methods of therapy

Therapy of the disease has several purposes:

• decreased lumbar pain
• improved cartilage nutrition, recovery and exclusion of their further destruction;
• recovery of nerve fibers;
• increased blood flow in the lumbar region using therapeutic massage and physiotherapy procedures;
• strengthening of the spine with the help of physiotherapy exercises with dosed loads.

Traditional methods of therapy

In the treatment of lumbar chondrosis, the following methods are used:

1. Drug therapy is performed with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs tableted or intramuscularly( Orthofen, Ketanov, Diclofenac, Revmoxicam), hondoprotectors( Teraflex, Chondroitin), B vitamins. In the absence of effect, Novocain blockade is used.
2. Therapeutic physical training helps to increase blood flow in the muscles, strengthen the muscular corset and spine, and form a correct posture.
3. Physiotherapy : electrophoresis with drugs, diadynamic currents, ultraviolet irradiation. The procedures are carried out during the rehabilitation period.
4. Shockwave therapy promotes the destruction of salt crystals and areas prone to fibrosis.
5. Massage helps to relax the muscles and restore blood circulation.
6. Manual therapy restores the motor activity of the spine, normalizes the metabolism, prevents the exacerbation of the disease.
7. Reflexotherapy improves the effectiveness of medicinal treatment, reduces pain, fights against obesity, normalizes sleep.
8. Surgical operation .Indication to the intervention is the inefficiency of the full arsenal of conservative measures and the complications associated with the hernia of the

disc. Folk remedies

Together with medications, treatment of the chondrosis of the lumbar spine in popular ways gives good results:

1. Grind 3 lemons( with skin) in a meat grinder, put in a literjar and pour boiling water to the top, insist 5 hours and take 1 tbsp.in the mornings. The infusion is stored in the refrigerator.
2. Put a piece of cottage cheese on a piece of cotton cloth and drop a little vinegar on it. The bandage is applied to a sore spot, fixed and held for a couple of hours.
3. 350 gr of grated radish mixed with 100 ml of vodka and 250 g of honey. The resulting mixture to rub the sore back.
4. During the day, wear a belt of dog hair, take it off at night.
5. To fill the floor with a lintel jar to the top with lilac flowers, pour vodka there, cover it and put it in a dark place for 21 days, then strain and take 30 drops three times a day for three meals a day before meals.
6. 1 part of the bodywort mixed with 30 parts of olive oil, got ointment rub the diseased area, cover it with polyethylene, wrap it with a warm kerchief.

The dangers and consequences of

Chondrosis is unsafe complications, the most frequent of which is the intervertebral hernia. It presses on the nerve, causing inflammation, swelling and severe pain.

There is weakness in the muscles of the legs due to infringement of motor fibers. There is an increasing lameness as the disease progresses.

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve causes severe pain, which occurs with any attempted movement.
Disturbance in kidney function is characterized by pain and discomfort when urinating.

How to prevent problems?

As preventive measures for people who have a problem with lumbar chondrosis, it is necessary: ​​

• to limit physical activity, they should be of moderate intensity;
• to reduce excess weight;
• eat right;
• to temper the body;
• perform simple physical exercises with sedentary work;
• engage in therapeutic gymnastics with the use of a complex recommended by the doctor.

Treatment of the disease should be comprehensive, due attention should be paid to one's lifestyle. It is important at the first alarm signs to consult a doctor and strictly follow all his prescriptions.

And never forget that the health of a person depends on how much he wants to be healthy!