Degenerative-dystrophic changes in lumbosacral spine

Degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine is a slow destruction of the tissues of the intervertebral discs of the lower back. They cease to feed, dehydrated, becomes dry and loses elasticity. Overweight and sedentary work lead to a weakening of back muscles and excess weight. As a result, the spine puts pressure on the intervertebral discs, their structure deformed.

Pathology drives is dangerous because to detect them, as a rule, possible only at critical moments. Preventive measures can help, and the patient will have to use the medicine to visit a variety of treatments. But by itself treatment may not be enough. After all, to improve the condition of the spine and to prevent the development of serious complications, you need to rethink your daily life in General.

Causes and risk factors

What is degenerative changes in the lumbosacral? To understand, we will understand how to construct the intervertebral discs. These peculiar springs of the spine, consist of cartilage. On top they are covered with more dense fibrous ring, and inside is purposee core. Disks normal are soft, elastic – because they provide the mobility of the spine.

When muscles no longer withstand the load, they transmit it to the vertebrae. The spine is compressed, the discs are under pressure, which is not calculated. The cells of the soft cartilage tissues begin to die.

Intervertebral discs can also weaken and deform because of the disturbed nutrition of cartilage tissue. This can happen for the reason that vertebrae reduce the distance between themselves and compress the blood vessels and capillaries. Or to the same consequences of the inflammatory process, trauma to the lower back.

Risk factors the following:

• Sudden movements, heavy lifting;
• Inflammation;
• Sedentary work;
• Cold and drafts;
• Junk food;
• Professional sports;
• Disturbed hormones;
• Old age;
• Pathology of metabolic processes;
• Traumatic damage to the vertebrae.

Most often suffer from problems in the lumbar spine people who very little exercise and are overweight. Usually the spine stabilizes muscles but if the muscles are weakened, and the excess weight is constantly aggravates the back, even light domestic loads cause deformation of the disks. The modern way of life, as we see, increases the risk of developing degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.

• Suggest to read: reduction of height of intervertebral discs.

The development of pathology

It is on the lumbosacral region accounts for the lion's share of the voltage it is here that the intervertebral discs are often deprived of the necessary supply. Cartilage lose nutrients, regenerate worse, cease to be elastic.

The fibrous ring becomes fragile, purposee core dramatically loses moisture and dries. As a rule, simultaneously on the lower back have a large load, and the space between the vertebrae narrows even more. The extra tissue of the lumbar discs protrude from the boundaries of the spine – this is called protrusion. And when the fibrous ring around the disk will break the structure breaks, the result will be the first exit of the pulp from the disc and then the disc from his seat in the spine. This is called herniation of the lumbar spine.

Protrusions and hernias of pinch, compress the nerves, severe pain occurs. The body includes immune system to protect themselves from the source of pain. In the end, this protection is formed of inflammation and swelling in the lumbar region, giving the patient a normal life.

Degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are developing quickly, and when to engage in prevention, too late, inflict damage to the patient. Even if you are lucky, and no protrusion or hernia is not formed, a person can get the consequences, such as low back pain or sciatica.

Symptoms

Unfortunately, while the disease is the waist does not put the health of the patient the danger of illness the person is not suspect in principle. Symptoms is not itself a degenerative process, and it has complications and consequences.

The emergence of the following sensations isto respond by visiting a neurologist or spinal cord specialist:

• Stabbing, burning or dull pain of lower back;
• The appearance of pain after exertion;
• Pain after a prolonged stay in one position;
• Difficulty performing certain movements, such as tilts or bends;
• Weakness in the legs;
• Difficulties in urination, constipation;
• The cold skin of the lumbar region;
• Loss of mobility, especially in the morning;
• Violation of symmetry of the body;
• Swelling and red skin in the lumbar region.

There are four stages of development of this pathology of the lumbosacral:

• The first symptoms appear very rarely. However, often after physical exertion people experience a dull pain and a constrained feeling in the lumbar region. But it is almost always blamed on fatigue;
• In the second stage symptoms appear. Much harder movement back, the patient is difficult to bend or to turn. In the back "fires", ie says about itself sciatica. Due to the compressed nerves can tingle in the pelvis and legs. There is a feeling of "tingling";
• The third stage is acute. Zaselyalsya blood vessels, greatly disturbed the metabolism of the muscles of the waist, which leads to its ischemia. Pain becoming stronger. Feet numb, they are wracked with convulsions;
• The fourth stage is diagnosed if the deformed spinal cord and the roots of its nerves. This can cause legs are paralyzed.

• See also: fatty degeneration of the vertebrae

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of degenerative changes of the lumbosacral carried out in three stages:

• Compiled medical history, identifies symptoms and normal onset of the pain attack;
• The doctor examines the patient for signs of degeneration of the tissues of the lumbosacral – examines the level of mobility, strength, muscles, localization of pain;
• Is an MRI. She finds evidence that a patient suffers from degenerative changes in the lumbosacral region of the spine. You will find physiological reasons, which ultimately led to the development of pathology.

If the degenerative process in the lower back is actually observed, then an MRI will certainly show that the symptoms felt in one of the following reasons:

• Intervertebral discs are deformed by more than half;
• The disks only begin to deform, for example, lowered the level of moisture in them;
• Already begins to break down the fibrous ring, dying cartilage cells;
• The fibrous ring is broken and purposee the core then begins to leave the disk. That is, he developed a hernia of the lumbosacral.

May also be required:

• Blood tests;
• X-ray study;
• CT.

However, x-ray can show signs of the pathological process at an early stage. Computed tomography and MRI are much deeper, examine the spine. But unfortunately, these diagnostic methods are usually resorted to only when the problem has already manifested itself.

• See also: the Violation of the statics of the lumbar-sacral spine.

Treatment

First, doctors prescribe conservative treatment: various drugs are painkillers, heat ointments, physiotherapy and massage, chiropractic, acupuncture. And only if these methods do not help, make decisions surgery.

Drugs

First, you need to ease pain, give the patient may move and return performance. For these purposes, used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Movalis, Nise) and painkillers (Ketonal, Ketanov). Drugs used orally, topically, injection. In particularly difficult situations, it is possible the blockade of the spine in the lumbar region.

To relax tense muscles of the lumbosacral, prescribed muscle relaxants (Sirdalud, Mydocalm).

Need to use them intermittently, because over time they weaken the muscles. Chondroprotectors activate the regeneration of cartilage tissue and joints. To help the body to recover will also help vitamin and mineral supplements. Best of all are the b vitamins.

Physical therapy and massage

Massage and physiotherapy treatments improves blood circulation to the problematic lower back, relaxes muscles, will provide nutrition to damaged tissue. Therapeutic exercise will improve metabolism and catch up the blood in the lower back will help to lose weight. Well-planned physical activity strengthen the lumbar muscles. They will again have the strength to take pressure off the spine. Most importantly – stretching exercises will increase the distance between the lumbar vertebrae and release pinched nerves. Disappear inflammatory process and pain syndrome. Especially useful for swimming. Classesthe pool not only strengthens muscles, but also gently stretch the lumbosacral spine. So you will treat not only the pain but also its cause.

Losing weight will relieve the lower back constant excessive load. But you can't just lose weight – you must ensure that the diet of the patient attended the necessary vitamins and calcium.

Operation

Fortunately, in most cases, the patient's condition will help to ease conservative treatment. Surgical intervention is needed only if the disease continues to progress, ignoring all attempts by the doctors and the patient to stop her. During the operation, will be installed supporting the lumbar spine of the device. This will help to remove pressure from the spine and not allow the intervertebral discs the lumbar to deform further. Another case that requires surgical intervention – strong lumbar hernia with the release of the disc from the borders of the spine. Left the disk in the sky, pulp, as the fat during liposuction, or burned with a laser.