Man, unlike animals, moves on two legs with a flat back. In this regard, the main center of gravity shifts in such a way that the greatest load goes to the lumbar spine. Additional factors that increase the load are obesity, lifting heavy loads and flat feet. At the same time, the fibrous ring of the intervertebral discs becomes thinner over time, resulting in the formation of protrusions and hernias. The vertebrae themselves get an irregular shape due to the formation of growths (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 cure lumbar osteochondrosis, it is necessary to discover all the causes of its occurrence and determine the degree of damage to surrounding tissues. Diagnosis of the disease is based on examination, collection of anamnestic 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 lesion;
- sensory disturbance (anesthesia, paresthesia);
- decreased motor activity of the lower extremities;
- involvement in the process of pelvic organ 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 performance of several studies.
After the examination, a competent specialist will certainly check for the presence of a number of characteristic reflexes:
- Lages' reflex, in which the doctor raises the patient's straight 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 straightened knees on a flat surface.
Instrumental methods make it possible to obtain additional information about the condition of the spinal cord and nerve tissue of the root located in the immediate vicinity of the spinal lesion. 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 number of options, from taking pills to surgery. In some cases, reflexology and massage help.
Treatment
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with drugs is aimed at eliminating its manifestations. To reduce the intensity of pain and reduce inflammation, use:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. By reducing inflammatory manifestations and blocking pain receptors, taking these medications reduces the pain associated with nerve root irritation. These drugs can be used in different dosage forms (injections, tablets, ointments and gels).
- Glucocorticosteroid hormones are used when painkillers are ineffective. Their action is stronger by reducing the swelling of the nervous tissue, and thus the irritating effect of bone growths on the root. However, due to possible systemic and side effects, their long-term use is not recommended.
To protect cartilage tissue from further destruction, drugs to treat lumbar osteochondrosis necessarily include chondroprotectors. And, despite the fact that their effectiveness has not yet been proven, this group of drugs is widely used to treat this condition.
In order 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 marked decrease in mood, antidepressants are used.
In addition, it is necessary to use vitamin preparations for lumbar osteochondrosis, because they help reduce the negative effect on the spinal cord and its roots. Group B and C drugs are usually prescribed because they protect the nervous tissue to the greatest extent.
Physiotherapy procedures
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine outside the period of exacerbation should be supplemented with effective physiotherapeutic procedures. Different effects are most often applied to the reflexogenic points responsible for the blood supply and nutrition of the affected area. These areas may be affected by:
- magnetotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- electroacupuncture;
- cauterization by cold or heat;
- application or application of drugs (pharmacopuncture).
By pharmacopuncture, 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 these additional methods may increase the effectiveness of treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with drugs.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy or massage necessarily involves the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis in the complex.
The doctor can set himself a number of tasks that differ depending on the individual patient:
- relax tense back muscles by stroking and vibrating;
- improve blood circulation in the lumbar region;
- strengthen the muscular framework 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 most effectively treat lumbar osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy
Sometimes it happens that the patient can not go to the doctor in the near future and start asking friends how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. In this case, the safest use is a gymnastic complex, which is specially designed to strengthen the lower back.
It should be borne in mind that during the period of deterioration you can not perform any load 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 fragile vertebrae can be easily moved. In this regard, it is very desirable to start classes with a doctor-instructor, and then continue on your own at home.
ethnoscience
Folk remedies for lumbar osteochondrosis should be used as an adjunct to the main treatment, but not instead. Since any intervention can harm the patient, it is necessary to first coordinate all their procedures and the use of alternative methods with their doctor.
Usually, different products from plant raw materials are used for this:
- To prepare a locally irritating ointment that will improve the blood circulation of 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 areas at night. A dry woolen lining is placed on top.
- Butter and hop cones are mixed in equal amounts. The resulting ointment is applied to the lumbar region as needed.
- Take one tablespoon of arnica, walnut and medicinal infusion after each meal.
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 quite rarely and only in the absence of significant effects of other methods within six months. 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 surgery is to remove the damaged disc (discectomy). During the operation, the doctor removes the obstructing 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 it is prescribed at the same time 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 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 of exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis, as a rule, drugs. However, medical intervention is necessary to eliminate the severe symptoms. To eliminate acute pain, you can perform a so-called blockade. To do this, use an anesthetic that is injected directly into the affected area with a special needle.
To relax back muscle cramps during exacerbation of the disease, muscle relaxants are used. These drugs block neuromuscular conduction and help relax muscles and remove "stuck".
If the patient has severe pain, then it is necessary to inject an anesthetic into a vein or muscle. Sometimes that is enough to alleviate the condition.
Disease prevention
In order not to wonder how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis, the best option is to prevent this disease. Basic rules that 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 position;
- do not lift heavy objects, and when exercising in the gym, coordinate all loads with the instructor;
- do not lie on the bed or in a hammock, it is better to sleep and rest on a hard bed to prevent turning and moving 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 a pool or pond to rest your lumbar region.
By following these simple recommendations, you may never think about how to get rid of lumbar osteochondrosis. If this disease continues to develop, then 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 to lead a normal life.