Lumbar spondyloarthrosis is spinal arthrosis, which causes symptoms such as severe back pain, usually caused by wear and tear on the joint. It is not always curable, but pain can be reduced through the use of analgesics, physical therapy and regular exercise.
Some treatment options are surgery, in which all bone structures and the intervertebral disc can be realigned. But as this is not always possible, and as most individuals with this type of impairment are elderly, a cure is not always achieved and, therefore, it becomes a chronic disease. Thus, it is advisable to invest in treatments that improve physical capacity and quality of life, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, for example.
What causes
Some of the possible causes of lumbar spondyloarthrosis are trauma, such as falling on the floor or an automobile accident, but it can also be caused by natural wear and tear of the joint, due to age, osteoporosis or family history.
Lumbar spondyloarthrosis can be classified as:
- Discrete lumbar spondyloarthrosis; Incipient lumbar spondyloarthrosis; Lumbar spondyloarthrosis with disc degeneration or Lumbar spondyloarthrosis with osteophytes.
This classification is made according to the severity of the disease, after performing imaging tests and is important because the treatment may vary from one to another.
Main symptoms
Symptoms can be:
- Pain in the lower back; Feeling of heaviness in the back; Difficulty in sitting or lying in the same position for a long time; Decreased strength in one or both legs; Burning or tingling sensation in the back, in one or both legs.
These symptoms tend to worsen if the individual sits for a long time, lying down or if he makes some physical effort and, usually, they diminish when placing a bag of warm water in the region, leaving it to act for a few minutes.
The diagnosis can be made by the orthopedist based on the symptoms and the performance of exams such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging that help to identify the arthrosis and its type.
What treatment is indicated
The most suitable treatment is daily physical therapy. If it is not possible to achieve significant improvement with physiotherapy, surgery may be used to place a joint or disc prosthesis, or to remove osteophytes, which are a kind of bone callus that forms in the spine causing pain and discomfort.
In addition, it is important to:
- Weight loss, if the individual is above the ideal weight; Avoid unnecessary efforts; Eat properly, giving preference to the consumption of anti-inflammatory foods such as ginger, pepper and turmeric; for example, if there is no more pain.
If the work that an individual does is one of the causes of lumbar spondyloarthrosis, he must leave work indefinitely and, depending on the case, he may even retire.
People who suffer from lumbar spondyloarthrosis can benefit from physical exercise when the pain is less disabling. But it is important that the physical educator or the physiotherapist has knowledge of the type of injury that the individual has to indicate adequate exercises, which bring benefits and do not aggravate the injury.
Check out some homemade strategies for back pain relief:
Physiotherapy for lumbar spondyloarthrosis
Physiotherapy is always indicated and manages to reduce symptoms, improving the person's quality of life, but it must be prescribed in person because there is no single treatment that can be followed by everyone. Some treatment options that can be indicated are:
1. Use of heat
The use of superficial heat using a hot water bottle helps to relax the most superficial muscles, increases blood circulation and consequently relieves pain. The thermal bag must be kept comfortably for 20 minutes, twice a day.
Deep heat can be done using devices in the physiotherapy clinic and are useful to fight chronic inflammation. A good option is the shortwave device, especially indicated for elderly people because it is more comfortable and brings relief from symptoms in a faster and more lasting way.
2. Electrotherapy
Electrical stimulation devices such as tension, ultrasound can be indicated in case of spinal arthrosis because they assist in the analgesia and healing of injured tissues.
3. Kinesiotherapy
In kinesiotherapy, stretching exercises for the back and exercises to strengthen the abdominals can be used. To combat back pain, Clinical Pilates exercises are an excellent option, being indicated for when the person is without pain.
Initially the most indicated exercises are the contraction of the perineum and the transversus abdominis at the same time. Then, other exercises to strengthen the muscles and stabilize the spine can be introduced, fighting back pain and preventing its return. Check out some Pilates exercises for back pain by clicking here.
Hydrotherapy and RPG exercises are also excellent for the treatment of low back pain but must be prescribed individually.
