Humans, unlike animals, move on two legs with straight backs. In this case, the main center of gravity is shifted in such a way that the greatest load goes to the lumbar spine. Additional factors that increase the load are obesity, weight lifting and flat feet. At the same time, the fibrous rings of the intervertebral disc become thinner over time, resulting in the formation of protrusions and hernias. The vertebrae themselves acquire an irregular shape due to the formation of yields (osteophytes). It is this process that leads sooner or later to the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and methods of diagnosis
To understand how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis, it is necessary to know all the causes of its appearance and determine the degree of damage to the surrounding tissue. Diagnosis of the disease is based on examination, collection of anamnestic data on clinical pictures (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 back on the side of the lesion;
- sensory disturbances (anesthesia, paresthesia);
- decreased lower extremity motor activity;
- involvement in the process of dysfunction of the pelvic organs (urinary incontinence, impotence).
Symptoms usually increase gradually as pathological changes develop. Based on these manifestations, doctors can only suspect lumbar osteochondrosis. It is possible to make a final diagnosis only after examination and doing some research.
After examination, a competent specialist will certainly check for the presence of several characteristic reflexes:
- Reflex lages, in which the doctor raises the patient’s straightened leg, and the pain increases. After bending the limb at the knee joint, the pain immediately disappeared.
- The Bekhterev reflex consists of the occurrence of pain when pressing the straightened knee to a flat surface.
The instrumental method allows obtaining additional information about the condition of the spinal cord and root nerve tissue located around the spinal lesions. X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging are usually performed, and sometimes computed tomography.
After establishing the fact of the presence of the disease, it is necessary to decide how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. To do this, there are a large number of possibilities, ranging from taking pills and ending with surgery. In some cases, reflexology and massage help.
Medical treatment
Drug treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis aims to eliminate its manifestations. To reduce the severity of pain and reduce inflammation, use:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. By reducing the manifestations of inflammation and blocking pain receptors, when taking these drugs, the pain associated with nerve root irritation is reduced. The drug can be used in various dosage forms (injections, 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, they reduce the irritating effect of bone growth on the roots. However, due to the possibility of systemic effects and side effects, their long -term use is not recommended.
To protect cartilage tissue from further destruction, medications for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis must necessarily include chondroprotectors. And, despite the fact that its effectiveness has not 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 the disease, sedative drugs are prescribed for lumbar osteochondrosis. They help patients cope with pain. With a significant decrease in mood, antidepressants are used.
In addition, it is necessary to use vitamin preparations for lumbar osteochondrosis, as they help reduce the negative effects on the spinal cord and its roots. Usually group B and C drugs are prescribed, as they are the ones that protect the nerve tissue to the greatest extent.
Physiotherapy procedures
Treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis outside the period of exacerbation should be supplemented with effective physiotherapeutic procedures. Often, various effects are applied to the reflexogenic points responsible for the blood supply and nutrition of the affected area. This area can be affected by:
- magnetotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- electroacupuncture;
- cauterization by cold or heat;
- use or administration of drugs (pharmacopuncture).
With pharmacopunctuation, by directly injecting the solution into the altered area, it is possible to significantly reduce the concentration of the drug and thus eliminate most of the unwanted side effects. The use of this additional method can increase the effectiveness of drug treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy or massage necessarily includes treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis in the complex.
Doctors can set themselves a number of different tasks depending on the individual patient:
- relax tense back muscles with rubbing and vibration;
- increase blood circulation in the lumbar region;
- strengthens skeletal muscles due to deep kneading;
- return the displaced vertebra to its place.
An individualized approach allows you to develop optimal strategies and determine how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis with maximum efficiency.
Physiotherapy
Sometimes it happens that the patient is unable to see a doctor in the near future and begins to ask friends how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. In this case, the safest is the use of gymnastic complexes, specially designed to strengthen the lower back.
Keep in mind that during periods of exacerbation, you should not do any loads other than breathing and relaxation exercises. 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 large amplitude, because the fragile vertebrae can only move. In this case, it is very desirable to start the class with a doctoral instructor, and then proceed on your own at home.
ethnoscience
Folk remedies for lumbar osteochondrosis should be used in addition to the main treatment, but not as a substitute. Due to the fact that any intervention can harm the patient, it is necessary to coordinate all your actions and the use of alternative methods in advance with your doctor.
Typically, various vegetable raw material products are used for this:
- To prepare a local irritating ointment that will increase the blood supply to the affected area, you need five red peppers and 100 ml of kerosene and vegetable oil. After receiving the infusion, it is necessary to lubricate the painful spot at night. Compressed dry wool is used above.
- Butter cones and hops are mixed in equal quantities. The resulting ointment is applied to the lumbar region as needed.
- Infusion of arnica, walnuts and medicinal letters 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 begin therapy immediately after the onset of symptoms.
Surgical intervention
Surgical treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis is performed relatively infrequently and only if there is no significant effect of other methods within six months. Other indications for surgery include cauda equina syndrome that passes through the spinal canal in this area and acute nerve root compression.
The most common type of surgery is to remove a damaged disc (discectomy). During the operation, the doctor removes the parts that interfere with the vertebrae and discs and, if possible, corrects 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 bring results within six months. In addition, microsurgical and endoscopic treatment methods of the spine are widespread.
Since interference in the structure of the spine can lead to 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 for exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis, as a rule, medication. However, to eliminate severe symptoms, medical intervention is required. To eliminate acute pain, you can carry out so -called restraints. To do this, use an anesthetic, which is injected with a special needle directly into the affected area.
To relax the back muscles that cramp during exacerbation of the disease, muscle relaxation is used. These drugs block neuromuscular conduction and help relax muscles and eliminate "jamming".
If the patient is experiencing severe pain, then it is necessary to inject an anesthetic into a vein or muscle. Sometimes this is enough to alleviate the situation.
Disease prevention
In order not to wonder how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis, the best option is to prevent this disease. Basic 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 weights with the instructor;
- do not lie on a crib or in a cradle, it is better to sleep and rest on a hard bed to avoid deflection and displacement of the vertebrae;
- wear comfortable shoes with small heels (less than 4 cm);
- avoid increasing your own weight;
- replace the bag with a backpack so that the load is evenly distributed;
- swim in a pool or pool to give rest to the lumbar region.
By following these simple suggestions, you may never think about how to get rid of lumbar osteochondrosis. If the disease is still developing, then it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner. With the help of complex therapeutic effects, in most cases it is possible to eliminate the symptoms of this pathology and continue to lead a normal life.