Man, unlike animals, moves on two legs with a straight back. In this direction, 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 ring of the intervertebral discs becomes thinner over time, resulting in the formation of extensions and hernias. The vertebrae themselves take on 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 the 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 region of the waist, legs and buttocks on the side of the lesion;
- sensory disturbance (anesthesia, paresthesia);
- reduction of 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. It is possible to make a final diagnosis only after examination and completion of several studies.
After the examination, a competent specialist will definitely check for the presence of a number of characteristic reflexes:
- Lages reflex, in which the doctor raises the patient's directed leg and the pain intensifies. After bending the limbs at the knee joint, the pain disappears immediately.
- Bekhterev reflex consists of the appearance of pain when pressing the directed knees on a flat surface.
Instrumental methods allow obtaining additional information about the condition of the spinal cord and nerve tissue of the roots located in the vicinity of the spinal lesion. Radiography and magnetic resonance imaging are usually performed, and sometimes computed tomography.
After confirming 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 options, 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 the pain and reduce the inflammation, use:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. By reducing inflammatory manifestations and blocking pain receptors, while taking these drugs, the pain associated with irritation of the nerve roots decreases. These drugs can be used in various dosage forms (injections, tablets, ointments and gels).
- Glucocorticosteroid hormones are used when pain medications are ineffective. Their action is stronger by reducing the swelling of nerve tissue and therefore reduce the irritating effect of bone growths at the root. However, due to potential 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 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.
To reduce the manifestations of mental disorders (depression, neurosis), which often accompany this disease, tranquilizers are prescribed for lumbar osteochondrosis. They help the patient cope with the pain. With a marked decline in mood, antidepressants are used.
In addition, 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 nerve tissue to the greatest extent.
Physiotherapy procedures
Treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis outside periods of exacerbation should be complemented by effective physiotherapeutic procedures. Most often, different effects are used on the reflexogenic points responsible for the blood supply and nutrition of the affected area. These areas can be affected by:
- magnetotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- electroacupuncture;
- cauterization by cold or heat;
- application or administration of drugs (pharmacopuncture).
With 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 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 himself a series of tasks that vary depending on the individual patient:
- relax tense back muscles with shocks and vibrations;
- improving blood circulation in the lumbar region;
- strengthen the muscular frame due to deep boiling;
- 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 efficiency.
Physiotherapy
Sometimes it happens that the patient can not visit a doctor in the near future and begins to ask friends how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. In this case, it is safest to use a gymnastic complex, which is specially created to strengthen the lower back.
It should be remembered that during periods of deterioration, you can not perform any load other than breathing exercises and relaxation. In the future, you can include other exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the press and back (pushing, shaking the legs, etc. ). At the same time, it is important not to make sudden movements with a large amplitude, as fragile beads can simply move. In this regard, it is highly 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 in addition to the main treatment, but not instead. For the fact that any intervention can harm the patient, it is necessary to first coordinate all your actions and use alternative methods with your doctor.
Usually, different products of plant raw materials are used for this:
- To prepare a local irritating ointment that will improve blood supply to the affected area, you will need five fruits of red pepper and 100 ml of kerosene and vegetable oil. After taking the infusion, it is necessary to lubricate the painful places at night. A dry wool compress is applied on top.
- Butter and hop cones are mixed in equal amounts. The resulting ointment is applied to the lumbar region as needed.
- After each meal should be taken an infusion of arnica, nuts and a medicinal letter, a spoon.
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 passing through the spinal canal in this area and acute compression of the nerve root.
The most common type of surgery is the removal of a damaged disc (discectomy). During the operation, the doctor removes the intervening parts of the vertebrae and discs and, if possible, adjusts the spine to the proper 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, 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 performed only in a proven neurosurgical clinic.
How to treat the worsening of lumbar osteochondrosis
Treatment for the worsening of lumbar osteochondrosis, as a rule, medications. However, to eliminate severe symptoms, medical intervention is necessary. To eliminate acute pain, you can perform so-called blockade. To do this, use an anesthetic, which is injected with a special needle directly into the affected area.
To relax spasmodic back muscles during an exacerbation of the disease, muscle relaxants are used. These drugs block neuromuscular conduction and help to relax the muscles and eliminate the "blockage".
If the patient has severe pain, then it is necessary to perform an injection of an anesthetic drug into a vein or muscle. Sometimes this is enough to alleviate the situation.
Disease prevention
In order not to ask yourself how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis, the best alternative is to prevent this disease. Basic rules to help with this include:
- do not stay 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 down in a crib or crib, it is better to sleep and rest in a firm bed to prevent deviation and displacement of the vertebrae;
- wear comfortable shoes with a small heel (less than 4 cm);
- avoid gaining weight;
- replace the bag with a backpack so that the load is evenly distributed;
- swim in the pool or ponds to give a break to the middle region.
By following these simple recommendations, you can never think of how to get rid of lumbar osteochondrosis. If this disease still develops, 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.