Humans, unlike animals, move on two legs with a straight back. From this point of view, the main center of gravity is moved so that the largest load goes to the lumbar spine. Additional factors that increase the load are obesity, weight lifting and straight legs. At the same time, the fibrous ring of intervertebral discs becomes thinner over time, resulting in protrusions and tears. The vertebrae themselves take on an irregular shape due to the formation of protrusions (osteophytes). It is this process that sooner or later leads to the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and methods of diagnosis
To understand how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis, it is necessary to find all the causes of its appearance and determine the degree of damage to the surrounding tissues. Diagnosis of the disease is based on the collection of anamnestic data by examination, clinical picture (manifestations and symptoms) and instrumental methods.
The clinical picture of lumbar osteochondrosis consists of the following symptoms:
- appearance of pain in the lumbar region, legs and hips on the side of the lesion;
- sensitivity disorders (anesthesia, paresthesia);
- reduction of motor activity of the lower extremities;
- Participate in the process of pelvic dysfunction (urinary incontinence, impotence).
Symptoms usually increase gradually as the pathological changes progress. Based on these manifestations, the doctor can only suspect lumbar osteochondrosis. The final diagnosis can be made only after examination and several studies.
After the examination, a qualified specialist will definitely check for a number of characteristic reflexes:
- Lages reflex, the doctor lifts the patient's straightened leg and the pain intensifies. The pain in the knee joint disappears immediately after bending the joint.
- The Bekhterev reflex consists of the formation of pain when pressing the straightened knees on a flat surface.
Instrumental methods allow to obtain additional information about the condition of the nerve tissue of the spinal cord and the roots located in the immediate vicinity of the spinal lesion. X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging are usually performed, and sometimes computed tomography is performed.
After determining the presence of the disease, it is necessary to decide how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. There are many options for this, from taking pills to surgery. In some cases, reflexology and massage help.
Treatment
Drug treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is aimed at eliminating its manifestations. Use to reduce the severity of pain and reduce inflammation:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. By reducing the inflammatory manifestations and blocking pain receptors, the pain associated with nerve root irritation is reduced while taking these drugs. These drugs can be used in various dosage forms (needles, tablets, ointments and gels).
- Glucocorticosteroid hormones are used when painkillers are ineffective. Their action is stronger by reducing the swelling of nerve tissue and, therefore, reduces the irritating effect of bone growths on the roots. However, their long-term use is not recommended due to possible systemic effects and side effects.
To prevent further destruction of cartilage tissue, drugs for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis necessarily contain chondroprotectors. Although their effectiveness has not yet been proven, this group of drugs is widely used to treat this condition.
Sedative drugs for osteochondrosis of the spine are often prescribed to reduce the manifestations of mental disorders (depression, neurosis) that accompany this disease. They help the patient to cope with the pain. Antidepressants are used with a sharp decrease in mood.
In addition, it is necessary to use vitamin supplements for osteochondrosis of the spine, as they help to reduce the negative impact on the spinal cord and its roots. Group B and C drugs are usually prescribed because they are the most protective of nerve tissue.
Physiotherapy procedures
Beyond periods of exacerbation, treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis should be completed with effective physiotherapeutic procedures. Different effects are often applied to the reflexogenic points responsible for the blood supply and nutrition of the affected area. These areas can be affected by:
- magnetotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- electroacupuncture;
- catering by cold or heat;
- administration or application of drugs (pharmacopuncture).
With pharmacopuncture, it is possible to significantly reduce the concentration of the drug by injecting the solution directly into the affected area, thereby eliminating most of the undesirable side effects. The use of these additional methods may increase the effectiveness of drug treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy or massage necessarily involves the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis in the complex.
The doctor can set a number of tasks that vary depending on the individual patient:
- relax tense back muscles with strokes and vibrations;
- improve blood circulation in the lumbar region;
- strengthen the muscle frame due to deep kneading;
- replace the displaced vertebra.
An individual approach allows you to develop an optimal strategy and determine how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis with maximum effectiveness.
Physiotherapy
Sometimes the patient is unable to see a doctor in the near future and begins to ask friends how to treat osteochondrosis of the spine. In this case, the safest is to use a gymnastics complex designed specifically to strengthen the lower back.
Remember that during periods of exacerbation, you can not perform any load other than breathing exercises and rest. In the future, you can include other exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the press and back (push-ups, leg swings, etc. ). At the same time, it is important not to make sudden movements with a large amplitude, because the fragile vertebrae can simply move. In this regard, it is highly desirable to start classes with a doctor-instructor and then continue at home alone.
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Folk remedies for lumbar osteochondrosis should be used in addition to the main treatment, but not instead. Because any intervention can harm the patient, you should first coordinate all your actions and the use of alternative methods with your doctor.
Usually various vegetable raw materials are used for this purpose:
- To prepare a local irritating ointment that will improve the blood supply to the affected area, you need five fruits of red pepper and 100 ml of kerosene and vegetable oil. After receiving the infusion, it is necessary to lubricate the painful areas at night. Dry wool compress is applied on top.
- Mix equal amounts of butter and hop cones. The resulting ointment is applied to the lumbar region, if necessary.
- Infusion of arnica, walnuts and medicinal letter should be taken one tablespoon after each meal.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with folk remedies can be effective in the early stages of the process. Therefore, therapy should be started immediately after the onset of symptoms.
Surgical intervention
Surgical treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis is very rare and is performed only for six months when there is no significant effect of other methods. Other indications for surgery include cauda equina syndrome, which passes through the spinal canal in this area, and acute nerve root compression.
The most common type of operation is the removal of a damaged disc (discectomy). During the operation, the doctor removes the interfering parts of the vertebrae and discs and, if possible, corrects the spine.
This operation is considered the most effective method in this situation, but at the same time, it is prescribed only when other treatments do not work for six months. In addition, microsurgical and endoscopic treatment of the spine is widespread.
Because interference with the structure of the spine can lead to very serious consequences (paresis, complete paralysis), treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine should be carried out only in a proven neurosurgery clinic.
How to treat exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis
Treatment for exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis, as a rule, medication. However, medical intervention is needed to eliminate serious symptoms. You can perform a so-called blockade to relieve acute pain. To do this, use an anesthetic that is injected directly into the affected area with a special needle.
During exacerbation of the disease, muscle relaxants are used to relax the spasmodic back muscles. These drugs inhibit neuromuscular conduction and help to relax muscles and eliminate "congestion".
If the patient has severe pain, then the anesthetic should be injected intravenously or intramuscularly. Sometimes this is enough to alleviate the situation.
Disease prevention
The best option is to prevent lumbar osteochondrosis without thinking about how to treat it. The basic rules that will help you to do this include:
- do not be forced for more than half an hour, try to warm up and change your position if possible;
- do not lift heavy objects and coordinate all loads with the instructor while training in the gym;
- do not sleep in a bed or hammock, it is better to sleep and rest on a hard bed to prevent bending and displacement of the vertebrae;
- wear comfortable shoes with small heels (less than 4 cm);
- avoid gaining your weight;
- replace the bag with a backpack so that the load is evenly distributed;
- swim in the pool or ponds to relax the lumbar region.
By following these simple tips, you will never think about how to get rid of lumbar osteochondrosis. If the disease still develops, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time. With the help of a complex therapeutic effect, in most cases, it is possible to eliminate the symptoms of this pathology and continue to lead a normal life.