Lumbar vertebrae: treatment and rehabilitation. Vertebrae of lumbar department: description, structure. And treatment

The back of a person is a complex structure that consists of bones, intervertebral disks, joints, ligaments, nerves and muscles. The spine consists of 33 bones - 24 cervical and spinal vertebrae, a sacrum of 5 intergrown vertebrae and 4 rudimentary vertebrae of the coccyx. They all make up a chain from the skull to the pelvis.

Structure of the lumbar spine

The most mobile and at the same time loaded part of the spine is the lumbar region. It is formed by 5 massive and strong vertebrae. At high loads on the intervertebral discs, there is a pressure of several centners per square meter. The structure of the lumbar vertebrae differs from the rest in the vertebral column in size. Lumbar vertebrae are the most powerful in the entire vertebral column, which is explained by the increased load on the lower spine. Five human lumbar vertebrae and sacrum provide complex turns and inclinations of the human body.

Lumbar vertebrae

Lumbar vertebrae are cylindrical bodies - strong bone bases that are located in front of the bone marrow and serve as a support for all organs and tissues located above the pelvis. An arc is attached to each of these cylinders from the rear, encompassing the spinal cord. This arch provides protection for the vertebral canal. The appendages depart from it: back - spinous, in the sides - transverse, and up and down - articular. The spinous process of the lumbar vertebra protects the spinal cord from external influences. It is the joints that form overlap with other vertebrae.

The vertebrae of the lumbar spine are designed in such a way that, by connecting together, they create a strong, but mobile support for the trunk, protecting the spinal cord from external negative influences. Intervertebral discs serve to amortize the connections between the vertebral bodies. They protect against excessive external influences on the spine. Lumbar vertebrae create lumbar lordosis, which is formed in infancy at the first attempts to stand and walk. The lumbar spine has the most active cushioning task, which is weakened in old age.

Lumbar Vertebra Function

Each vertebra performs its function. If there are irregularities in the first vertebra, it can cause a hernia, constipation, colitis or diarrhea, and damage to the second vertebra leads to diseases such as appendicitis, intestinal colic, hip pain and groin. Malfunctions in the third vertebra lead to bladder diseases, impotence and knee problems. Damage to the fourth vertebra leads to sciatica and lumbago. Finally, the fifth vertebra affects the shins, feet and toes. Edema, pain in the legs and flat feet - the result of the malfunction of the fifth vertebra.

Possible diseases of the lumbar spine

• Intervertebral hernia.

• Ankylosing spondylitis.

• Displacement of vertebrae.

• Fractures of lumbar vertebrae.

With age, bone density and strength decrease, which increases the risk of osteoporosis, which destroys them. The risk of fractures of the spine increases with it. Most people with osteoporosis do not even know about it until they suddenly encounter a fracture.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a flexing inflammation of the vertebrae, primarily the sacroiliac, securing the spine to the pelvis. Usually it is manifested by the first symptoms - pain and stiffness of the lower back, especially in the morning. Inflammation can spread up the spine, grabbing the entire back. Without proper treatment, the spine can curve, and the back will be chained and painful.

Displacement of vertebrae

Causes of displaced vertebrae:

1. The displacement of the lumbar vertebrae can be the result of a birth defect in the vertebra, usually the fifth lumbar vertebra, which is displaced relative to the sacrum.

2. Wear of the vertebrae occurs mainly in the elderly, especially in menopausal women.

3. Injuries of the spine. Fatigue fractures, which are typical for certain sports, as well as compression, caused by osteoporosis. A strong displacement of the vertebra is fraught with infringement of the spinal nerves, manifested by numbness, tingling and shooting pain and weakness in the legs. Displacement is characterized by pain and decreased mobility in the lower back.

Fracture of vertebrae

Fracture is the most common injury of bones, most often caused by trauma, stroke or fall. Vertebrae can have a compression fracture, resulting from the squeezing of the bone, when part of it is completely destroyed. Especially the lumbar vertebrae affected by osteoporosis suffer. In the affected area, there is pain, which is exacerbated by palpation and exercise, the back movements become painful and difficult. Both a possible fracture and displacement of the vertebra are detected using radiography, which allows to determine the nature of the pathology and to prescribe the appropriate treatment or surgical intervention.

Treatment of lumbar vertebrae

If the vertebra is damaged, it is appropriate to use traditional and non-traditional methods of treatment.

Methods of treatment of diseases of the spine:

• Chiropractic;

• Osteopathy;

• acupuncture;

• Shiatsu;

• hirudotherapy,

• exercise therapy.

Special physical training is aimed at alleviating the symptoms, maintaining mobility and preventing deformity of the spine. Swimming is very useful. The lumbar department is the least stable because of the combination of high loads with intensive mobility, and therefore is traumatized more often. This is due to the fact that it presses the entire upper body.

Prevention of lumbar spine diseases

The best prevention is exercise, which maintains the strength and tone of the vertebrae and muscles. Regular exercise helps to maintain a strong and flexible loin:

1. Tilting in the supine position on the back with legs bent to the sides.

2. Tilt forward in the standing position.

4. Press pumping.

5. Extension of the back.

Some of the age-related changes are inevitable. From a certain age, the mass of bones and muscles begins to decrease. In women after 45, the drop in the level of estrogen accelerates the fall in bone mass - up to 3-5% per year. The same is observed in males over 50 years of age. At the same time, changes gradually affect the posture and coordination of movements. Between 65 and 80 years, the spine can be shortened by 2.5 cm due to asymptomatic destruction of the vertebrae and a decrease in the elasticity of the intervertebral discs. These age changes are inevitable, but proper nutrition and moderate physical activity allow maintaining a healthy spine and normal operation of the musculoskeletal system at any age. It should be remembered that keeping bone density is much easier than increasing it, so prevention of osteoporosis needs to be done, without waiting for its development.