Back pain in the lumbar region - causes and treatment

Various diseases can cause back pain in the lumbar region.

The main diseases that cause back pain are injuries to the spine or hip joint.

Most often, this symptom is caused by diseases of the lumbosacral spine.

The lumbar spine is mobile, which causes injury to this particular area more often.

Causes of back pain in the lumbar region

Back pain is a sign that there is a problem with the spine, hip joint or internal organs near the lower back.

If your back hurts in the lumbar region, the reasons may be as follows:

• Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine can result in pain;
• Intervertebral hernia can cause painful sensations;
• ankylosing spondylitis;
• displacement of vertebrae;
• gout;
• inflammation of the back muscles (myositis);
• sciatic nerve inflammation;
• fractures in the spine;
• Arthrosis of the hip joint and other diseases of the spine and hip joints.

Also, lower back pain can also appear due to muscle strain or muscle spasm. Muscle cramps can occur if you make sudden movements with a load on the lower back:

• making sharp turns;
• sudden weight gain;
• while playing the game.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine

With lumbosacral osteochondrosis, back pain in the lumbar region can be combined with symptoms such as:

• increased urination;
• urinary incontinence;
• chronic and often exacerbating diseases of the bladder;
• diseases of the genital organs;
• Rectal problems.

Most often, back pain occurs with osteochondrosis:

• Pain;
• rip up;
• Pull;
• Sometimes the pain is burning.

Often, pain in the lumbar region in this case disappears when standing or lying down and intensifies when sitting, especially on a hard surface, with coughing and physical exertion.

Causes of back pain with lumbosacral osteochondrosis

The lumbar spine is characterized by great mobility and can withstand heavy loads on a daily basis.

This is the main reason for the development of lumbar osteochondrosis, which is manifested by dystrophy and deformation of the intervertebral discs.

Groups at high risk of developing lumbosacral osteochondrosis include:

• overweight people;
• leading an inactive lifestyle;
• having improper currency.

Also, professional athletes can develop this disease from excessive exertion and improper exercise at home.

Frequent stress and lack of sleep can contribute to the development of osteochondrosis.

People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and other inflammatory diseases of the joints often fall ill with osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine.

treatment of osteochondrosis

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the sacro-lumbar spine is aimed at slowing down the process of destruction of the intervertebral discs, restoring the functions of the nerve roots and eliminating pain.

To do this, apply:

• Medicine;
• manual therapy;
• methods of physiotherapy;
• physical treatment;
• surgical methods.

In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral osteochondrosis, such drugs are used:

• chondroprotectors (to restore cartilage tissue);
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• immunomodulators;
• steroid hormones;
• Vitamin Complex.

It is necessary to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroid hormones very carefully, as they have a lot of contraindications and side effects.

There are several more methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis:

1. Manual therapy helps to restore the functions of the lumbar spine and its anatomical structure. Massage for osteochondrosis helps to strengthen the muscles of the lower back and improve metabolic processes in the tissues.
2. Physiotherapy is carried out after stopping the acute period of the disease with the help of drugs. The most useful for osteochondrosis will be: electrophoresis, paraffin therapy, phonophoresis and magnetotherapy. To achieve a tangible effect, 10 with a break of two weeks between themIt is recommended to complete 3 courses of physiotherapy procedures.
3. One of the most effective ways to treat osteochondrosis is physiotherapy exercises. Physical education should be done after proper consultation with a doctor and, preferably, under the supervision of a specialist. A set of exercises specifically designed for the treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosisThe set will help strengthen the back muscles, which will relieve some of the load from the intervertebral discs.
4. Spa treatments (radon baths, therapeutic mud, etc. ) have a good effect on osteochondrosis.

If you ignore the symptoms of osteochondrosis and do not seek medical help, this will lead to the development of the disease and soon the back pain will become so severe that you still need to consult a doctor for help.

prevention of osteochondrosis

For spine health, you need to eat right, monitor your posture and lead an active lifestyle.

While lifting weights and playing sports, care should be taken not to overextend your back and damage the spine.

back pain with intervertebral hernia

Spinal hernia, or intervertebral hernia, is a disease in which the intervertebral disc becomes deformed, the outer part of the disc ruptures along with the protrusion of the inner part of the disc outside the vertebral body.

lumbago

Often, back pain in the lumbar region is accompanied by lumbago.

Lumbago is a sudden onset of intense pain in the lower back during physical exertion, lifting weights.

Back pain in this case has a tearing, stabbing, shooting character. It is associated with a sharp prolapse of the intervertebral discs and irritation of the nerve endings located in the annulus fibrosus.

A reflex is triggered, as a result of which the tone of the lumbar muscles is greatly increased. The patient freezes in a monotonous position, cannot straighten his back and turns.

This manifestation of a herniated disc of the lumbar spine is most often found in men aged 30-40 years.

sciatica

Sciatica (sciatica) - irritation of the sciatic nerve due to pinching of the hernial protrusion of the spinal roots.

Sciatica causes pain, burning, tingling and numbness that radiates from the lower back to the back of the leg.

These symptoms usually occur on one side according to the position of the herniated disc.

Symptoms of back pain with intervertebral hernia

Table - Symptoms of a herniated disc

Main characteristics	peculiarities
Prolonged pain in the lumbar region.	Can last for several months. They wear a pain, pulling, burning character.
Pelvic organ dysfunction.	Incontinence or urinary retention. Violation of defecation. In men, a hernia can affect potency.
Weakness of leg muscles, decrease in their tone, decreased reflexes.	Compression of the motor nerves in the spinal roots.
Paralysis (complete lack of movement) or paresis (partial lack of movement) in the legs.	Compression and damage of the spinal cord.
Pale skin, increased sweating, white or red patches.	Compression of nerves in the roots of the spine, which control blood vessels, sweat glands, and other autonomic functions.

With intervertebral hernia, in most cases, pathological changes develop in the lumbar spine.

Identification of a herniated disc

Statistics for the detection of intervertebral hernias:

• 48% of herniated discs occur between the last lumbar vertebra (fifth) and the sacrum.
• 46% are between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae.

Causes of development of intervertebral hernia

A herniated disc develops due to:

1. Degenerative changes in vertebral and intervertebral discs. Herniated discs are often a complication of osteochondrosis.
2. Postponed injuries of the spinal column: compression fractures of the vertebrae, subluxation.
3. Increased load on the spinal column: with constant work or standing in a monotonous posture, improper load bearing, excessive physical exertion, overtraining in athletes.
4. sedentary lifestyle.
5. Infectious disease in which the spinal column is affected.
6. overweight.
7. Congenital malformations of the spine.
8. Vibrational action. Mostly this occurs due to industrial hazards. Under the influence of vibration, the structure of the intervertebral discs is disturbed, weakened.
9. Poor posture, scoliosis.

herniated disc treatment

According to statistics, in most cases of intervertebral hernia, all symptoms disappear 6 weeks after the first attack and remission.

The body heals on its own after 24 weeks. Therefore, there are not always indications for surgical intervention.

Medication for herniated disc is intended to relieve back pain.

Hernia is mainly treated with the following drugs:

• non-steroidal pain relievers;
• steroid hormones.

Physiotherapy for intervertebral hernias is used as directed by the doctor.

There are other ways to treat intervertebral hernias without surgery:

1. Hand treatment. The chiropractor is trying to eliminate the herniated disc with his own hands.
2. Kinesitherapy. This is a kind of physiotherapy exercise. It normalizes muscle tone, restores blood circulation and enhances tissue regeneration.
3. Hirudotherapy.
4. Cryotherapy. This is a low temperature treatment technique. Liquid nitrogen is placed on the affected area. It improves blood circulation in the tissues.

herniated disc surgery

Surgical treatment of intervertebral hernia is prescribed in the presence of the following:

• severe back pain in the lumbar region that does not go away for a long time despite ongoing conservative treatment;
• Severe neurological disorders: decreased sensitivity, muscle tone and strength, paralysis and paresis;
• Urinary incontinence, impotence in men (if it is caused by compression of the hernia of the spinal cord).

Back pain treatment with blockade

Hernia repair is a procedure that aims to numb the affected area and relieve muscle spasms.

Blocked by injection of anesthetics.

The therapeutic effect of the blockade is characterized by:

• rapid pain relief - relief comes in 1-2 minutes;
• elimination of muscle spasms, which intensify painful sensations;
• Relief of inflammation, especially with the administration of corticosteroids;
• Reduction of soft tissue edema, which causes pinching of nerve fibers.

Contraindications to the blockade:

• an infectious lesion of the spine;
• Fever;
• mental illness;
• heart failure stage 2-3;
• weakness;
• blood clotting disorders;
• renal and hepatic impairment;
• tendency to travel;
• pregnancy.

prognosis for back pain

If your back hurts in the lumbar region, the first step is to consult a doctor and get tested.

The doctor may prescribe a spinal cord test with the help of:

• computed tomography;
• X-ray of the lumbosacral spine;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• electroneuromography;
• Vascular Dopplerography, etc.

An examination and palpation of the lumbar region and spine is mandatory. Consultation of a neurologist or vertebrologist is required.

Thus, almost always the cause of lower back pain is displacement of the vertebrae, muscle spasm or intercostal neuralgia.