Man, unlike animals, moves on two legs with a straight back. In this regard, the main center of gravity is shifted in such a way that the greatest load goes to the lumbar spine. Other factors that increase the load are obesity, heavy lifting and flat feet. At the same time, the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral discs becomes thinner over time, resulting in the formation of bulges and herniations. The vertebrae themselves acquire an irregular shape due to the formation of outgrowths (osteophytes). It is this process that leads, sooner or later, to the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and diagnostic methods.
To understand how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis, it is necessary to know all the causes of its occurrence and establish the degree of damage to surrounding tissues. Diagnosis of the disease is based on examination, collection of anamnesis data on the clinical picture (manifestations and symptoms), and instrumental methods.
The clinical picture of lumbar osteochondrosis consists of the following symptoms:
- the appearance of pain in the lumbar region, leg and buttocks on the side of the injury;
- sensory disturbance (anesthesia, paresthesia);
- decreased motor activity of the lower extremities;
- participation in the process of dysfunction of the pelvic organs (urinary incontinence, impotence).
Symptoms generally increase gradually as the pathological changes progress. Based on these manifestations, the doctor can only suspect lumbar osteochondrosis. It is possible to make a final diagnosis only after examination and the conduct of various studies.
Upon examination, a competent specialist will definitely check for the presence of a number of characteristic reflexes:
- Lages reflex, in which the doctor lifts the patient's outstretched leg and the pain intensifies. After bending the limb at the knee joint, the pain instantly disappears.
- Bekhterev's reflex consists in the appearance of pain when pressing the stretched knees against a flat surface.
Instrumental methods make it possible to obtain additional information about the state of the spinal cord and nerve tissue from the roots located in the immediate vicinity of the spinal injury. X-rays and MRI and sometimes CT scan are usually done.
After establishing the fact of the presence of the disease, it is necessary to decide how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. For this, there are a large number of possibilities, ranging from taking pills to ending with surgery. In some cases, reflexology and massage help.
Medical treatment
Drug treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is aimed at eliminating its manifestations. To reduce the severity of pain and reduce inflammation, use:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. By reducing inflammatory manifestations and blocking pain receptors, taking these drugs decreases pain associated with nerve root irritation. These drugs can be used in various dosage forms (injections, tablets, ointments, and gels).
- Glucocorticosteroid hormones are used when pain relievers are ineffective. Their action is stronger by reducing the swelling of the nerve tissue and thus reducing the irritating effect of bone growths on the roots. However, due to possible systemic effects and side effects, long-term use is not recommended.
To protect cartilage tissue from further destruction, drugs for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis necessarily include chondroprotectors. And it is that, despite the fact that its effectiveness has not yet been proven, this group of drugs is widely used to treat this condition.
To reduce the manifestations of mental disorders (depression, neurosis), which often accompany this disease, sedative drugs are prescribed for lumbar osteochondrosis. They help the patient cope with pain. With a pronounced decrease in mood, antidepressants are used.
Also, it is necessary to use vitamin preparations for lumbar osteochondrosis, as they help reduce the negative effect on the spinal cord and its roots. Group B and C drugs are usually prescribed, because they are the ones that protect the nervous tissue to a greater extent.
Physiotherapy procedures
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine outside the periods of exacerbation must be supplemented by effective physiotherapeutic procedures. Most often, various effects are used on the reflexogenic points responsible for the blood supply and nutrition of the affected area. These areas can be influenced by:
- magnet therapy;
- acupuncture;
- electroacupuncture;
- cauterization with cold or heat;
- application or administration of drugs (pharmacopuncture).
With pharmacopuncture, by directly injecting the solution into the affected area, it is possible to significantly reduce the concentration of the drug and thus eliminate most of the unwanted side effects. The use of these additional methods can increase the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy or massage necessarily include the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis in the complex.
The doctor can set a number of tasks that differ depending on the individual patient:
- relax tense back muscles with caresses and vibrations;
- improve blood circulation in the lumbar region;
- strengthen the muscular frame due to deep kneading;
- return the displaced vertebra to its place.
An individual approach allows you to develop an optimal strategy and determine how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis with maximum effectiveness.
Physiotherapy
Sometimes it happens that the patient cannot see a doctor in the near future and begins to ask his friends how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. In this case, the safest thing is to use a gymnastics complex, which is specially designed to strengthen the lower back.
It must be remembered that during periods of exacerbation, no loads other than breathing and relaxation exercises can be performed. 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 of a large amplitude, since fragile vertebrae can simply move. In this regard, it is highly recommended to start classes with a doctor-instructor, and then continue on your own at home.
ethnoscience
Folk remedies for lumbar osteochondrosis should be used in addition to the main treatment, but not instead of it. Due to the fact that any intervention can harm the patient, it is first necessary to coordinate all actions on it and the use of alternative methods with your doctor.
Usually for this various products from plant raw materials are used:
- To prepare a locally irritating ointment that improves the blood supply to the affected area, you will 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 places at night. A dry woolen compress is applied on top.
- Butter and hop cones are mixed in equal quantities. The resulting ointment is applied to the lumbar region as needed.
- An infusion of arnica, walnuts and a medicinal letter should be taken after each meal, one tablespoon.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with folk remedies can be effective in the early stages of the process. Therefore, it is necessary to start therapy immediately after the onset of symptoms.
Surgical intervention
Surgical treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis is performed very rarely and only in the absence of significant effects of other methods within six months. Other indications for surgery include cauda equina syndrome traversing the spinal canal in this area and acute nerve root compression.
The most common type of surgery 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, fixes the spine in the correct position.
This operation is considered the most productive method in this case, but at the same time it is prescribed only if other methods of treatment do not give results within six months. In addition, the method of microsurgical and endoscopic treatment of the spine is widespread.
Since intervention in the structure of the spine can have very serious consequences (paresis, complete paralysis), treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis should be carried out only in a proven neurosurgical clinic.
How to treat exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis
Treatment of exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis, as a rule, medication. However, to eliminate severe symptoms, medical intervention is necessary. To eliminate acute pain, you can perform the so-called blockade. To do this, use an anesthetic, which is injected with a special needle directly into the affected area.
To relax the spasmodic muscles of the back during an exacerbation of the disease, muscle relaxants are used. These medications block neuromuscular conduction and help relax muscles and clear "jams. "
If the patient has severe pain, then it is necessary to make an injection of an anesthetic drug into a vein or muscle. Sometimes this is enough to relieve the condition.
disease prevention
In order not to wonder how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis, the best option is to prevent this disease. Ground rules to help with this include:
- do not be in a forced position for more than half an hour, try to warm up and, if possible, change your position;
- do not lift heavy objects, and when exercising in the gym, coordinate all loads with the instructor;
- do not lie on a cot or in a hammock, it is better to sleep and rest on a hard bed to avoid deflection and displacement of the vertebrae;
- wear comfortable shoes with a small heel (less than 4 cm);
- avoid increasing your own weight;
- replace the bag with a backpack so that the load is evenly distributed;
- swim in the pool or ponds to give your lower back a break.
Following these simple recommendations, you may never think about how to get rid of lumbar osteochondrosis. If this disease still develops, it will be 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 a normal life.