Degenerative changes of the lumbar spine: treatment
Today, the most common are diseases of the spine. Sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, excessive exercise — all this leads to degenerative dystrophic changes of the lumbar sacral spine. It is necessary to consider in more detail what it is.
Possible complications
This condition is observed in pathology of the intervertebral disc that is accompanied by pain in the lower back. The intervertebral disc has no blood vessels, therefore, is not perfused. For this reason, he cannot recover as do other tissues of the body. Despite the seriousness of this condition, it is found in 30% of individuals after the age of 30 years. Although it is possible earlier cases. Such spinal injury is not always associated with pain. After 60 years, degenerative changes of the lumbar sacral spine are already regularity.
If time does not cure this condition, it will lead to complications. Because of the infringement of intervertebral channels in damaged nerves. Then the nerve endings become swollen, reduced their conductivity (therefore, there are numbness of limbs, fatigue in the back). The vertebrae change the pattern of growth in order to reduce the load, they expand. This leads to more low back pain and the pinched nerve. If this process is added the infection (bacteria, fungi), are developing diseases such as arthrosis, arthritis, osteochondropathy. Degenerative changes in the muscle lead to scoliosis, displacement of the vertebrae. Heavy conditions are accompanied by ischemia, blood circulation, paresis, paralysis of the limbs. A person can become disabled.
The causes of disease
There are several causes of this syndrome:
Characteristic changes in spinal cord at different spinal diseases
The causes of pain are 2 factors:
Signs of degenerative changes of the spine
The following symptoms:
Usually spinal disorders are chronic in nature, characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission.
When aggravation of the symptoms are very pronounced, especially pain. During remission, the person may feel healthy.
Types of diagnostics
Initially recommended examination by a neurologist. Based on this, the doctor will prescribe the examination. Usually assigned the following treatments:
- x-rays;
- CT (computed tomography);
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
In the picture discovered the pathology of the vertebrae
The first of these methods is the most accessible, but at the same time the most informative. X-ray provides information about the location of the bones and spine deformation. It can detect the disease at later stages. CT and MRI more modern methods. MRI allows us to see the destruction of the disk space, dehydration of the disc, erosion of the cartilage endplate of a vertebral body, the presence of intervertebral hernia, a tear in the fibrous ring. But such procedures are usually expensive.
Comprehensive treatment
Treatment involves the use of drugs, exercises and methods of folk medicine. Often surgical intervention is required. In any case treatment should be complex:
Prevention of spinal diseases
Treatment involves securing effect with the help of preventive measures.
You need to play sports (in moderation) for the formation of a muscular corset. If you have problems with excess weight, it is necessary to get rid of. It is an extra burden on the spine. Be sure to follow the dietary guidelines (discussed above). Most importantly — relaxation. Many diseases are a signal of congestion in the body.
Thus, degenerative dystrophic changes of the lumbar sacral spine (and neck) are treatable. The main thing — time to consult a doctor and follow all his recommendations.