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. Additional factors that increase load are obesity, heavy lifting, and flat feet. At the same time, the fibrous ring of the intervertebral discs thins over time, resulting in the formation of protrusions and hernias. The vertebrae themselves acquire 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 find out all the causes of its appearance 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 lesion;
- sensory disturbance (anesthesia, paraesthesia);
- decreased motor activity of the lower limbs;
- involvement in the process of dysfunction of the pelvic organs (urinary incontinence, impotence).
Symptoms usually gradually increase as pathological changes progress. Based on these manifestations, the doctor can only suspect lumbar osteochondrosis. It is possible to make a final diagnosis only after examining and carrying out 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 lifts the patient's straightened leg and the pain intensifies. After bending the limb in the knee joint, the pain disappears immediately.
- The Bekhterev reflex consists in the onset of pain when pressing the straightened knees to a flat surface.
Instrumental methods make it possible to obtain additional information about the state of the spinal cord and root nerve tissue located in the immediate vicinity of the spinal injury. X-rays and MRIs and sometimes computed tomography are usually done.
Having established 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 eventually 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-inflammatories. By reducing inflammatory manifestations and blocking pain receptors while taking these drugs, pain associated with nerve root irritation decreases. 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 nervous tissue, and thus reducing the irritating effect of the bone growths on the roots. However, due to possible systemic effects and side effects, their long-term use is not recommended.
To protect cartilage tissue from further destruction, drugs for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis necessarily include chondroprotectors. And, although 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 pronounced decrease in mood, antidepressants are used.
In addition, it is necessary to use vitamin preparations for lumbar osteochondrosis, as they help to reduce the negative effect on the spinal cord and its roots. Usually drugs of group B and C are prescribed, because they are the ones that protect the nervous tissue the most.
Physiotherapy procedures
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine outside the periods of exacerbation must be supplemented with effective physiotherapeutic procedures. Most often, various effects are used on the reflex points responsible for the blood supply and nutrition of the affected area. These areas can be affected by:
- magnetotherapy;
- 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 drug treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy or massage necessarily includes the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis as a whole.
The doctor can set himself a series 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 muscle structure thanks 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 efficiency.
Physiotherapy
Sometimes it happens that the patient cannot 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 a gymnastics complex, specially designed to strengthen the lower back.
It should be remembered that during periods of exacerbation, no load 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 great amplitude, as fragile vertebrae can simply move. In this regard, it is highly desirable to start classes with a doctor-instructor, and then continue alone at home.
ethnoscience
Folk remedies for lumbar osteochondrosis should be used in addition to the main treatment, but not in its place. Due to the fact that any intervention can harm the patient, it is necessary to first coordinate all your actions and the use of alternative methods with your doctor.
Usually for this, various products of vegetable raw materials are used:
- To make a locally irritating ointment that will improve the blood supply to the affected area, you will need five red pepper fruits and 100 ml of kerosene and vegetable oil. After receiving 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 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 carried out 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 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 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 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 only be carried out in a proven neurosurgical clinic.
How to treat exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis
Treatment for exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis, as a rule, drugs. However, to eliminate severe symptoms, medical intervention is required. To get rid of 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 spasmodic back muscles during an exacerbation of the disease, muscle relaxants are used. These drugs block neuromuscular conduction and help relax the muscles and eliminate the "block".
If the patient is in severe pain, it is necessary to perform an injection of an anesthetic drug into a vein or muscle. Sometimes this 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. The basic rules for helping 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 training in the gym, coordinate all loads with the instructor;
- do not lie on a cot or hammock, it is better to sleep and rest on a hard bed to prevent deflection 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 in ponds to give the lumbar region a break.
By following these simple tips, 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 to lead a normal life.