Man, unlike animals, moves on two legs with a flat 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 the load are obesity, heavy lifting 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 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 methods of diagnosis
To understand how to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar, 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 buttock on the side of the lesion;
- sensory disturbance (anesthesia, paresthesia);
- decreased motor activity of the lower extremities;
- 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 examination and performing several studies.
Upon 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 straightened leg, and pain intensifies. After bending the limb in the knee joint, the pain instantly disappears.
- Bekhterev's reflex consists in the occurrence of pain when the straightened knees are pressed against a flat surface.
Instrumental methods allow obtaining additional information about the state of the spinal cord and nervous tissue of the roots 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 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 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, when 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 painkillers are ineffective. Their action is stronger by reducing the swelling of the nervous tissue, and therefore, they reduce the irritating effect of 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, 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 pronounced decrease 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 nervous tissue to the greatest extent.
Physiotherapy procedures
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine outside periods of exacerbation should be supplemented with 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:
- magnetotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- electroacupuncture;
- cauterization with 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 thereby 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 include the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis in the complex.
The doctor may set himself a number of tasks that differ depending on the individual patient:
- relax tense back muscles by stroking and vibration;
- 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 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, which is specially designed to strengthen the lower back.
It should be remembered that during periods of exacerbation, 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 (push-ups, leg swings, etc. ). At the same time, it is important not to make sudden movements with a large amplitude, since fragile vertebrae 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 in place of it. 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, various products of vegetable raw materials are used for this:
- To prepare a locally irritating ointment that will improve 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 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 spoonful.
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 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 bring results within six months. In addition, the method of microsurgical and endoscopic treatment of the spinal column 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 for exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, as a rule, is medication. However, to eliminate severe symptoms, medical intervention is necessary. To eliminate acute pain, you can carry out the so-called blockade. For this, an anesthetic is used, which is injected with a special needle directly into the affected area.
In order to relax spasmodic back muscles during an exacerbation of the disease, muscle relaxants are used. These drugs block neuromuscular conduction and help to relax muscles and eliminate "jamming".
If the patient is in 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 condition.
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 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 prevent 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 distributed evenly;
- swim in the pool or ponds to give a rest to the lumbar region.
By following these simple recommendations, you may never think about 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.